列国鉴｜记者观察：美舆论生态悄然生变 媒体鸿沟越裂越深

Core Viewpoint - The return of Trump to the White House is leading to significant changes in the U.S. media landscape, with conservative media making substantial gains that may deepen the ideological divide between conservatives and liberals, exacerbating social fragmentation and political polarization in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Conservative Media Expansion - Recent media mergers and acquisitions illustrate the conservative movement's strategic expansion in the media sector, notably with David Ellison's acquisition of Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS [2] - The newly merged CBS News appointed Kenneth Weinstein, a former CEO of a conservative think tank, to ensure diverse political viewpoints in news reporting [2] - Paramount-Dance is reportedly preparing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN, which could lead to a shift in CNN's reporting direction [5] Group 2: Media Influence and Personal Platforms - Following the Capitol riots in January 2021, Trump and his supporters began to build their own media ecosystem, as mainstream media and social platforms restricted their presence [6] - Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter allowed Trump to regain his account and amplify conservative voices, diminishing liberal influence [6] - Influential figures like Charlie Kirk and Joe Rogan have leveraged personal podcasts to reach younger audiences, with Rogan's podcast being a significant source of news for 22% of Republicans [6] Group 3: Historical Context and Current Trends - The conservative media landscape has seen a resurgence since the 1990s, particularly during Trump's presidency, with increased capital investment and support from the Trump administration [9] - Conservative media outlets, despite lower revenues, have achieved significant valuations, indicating a shift in media power dynamics [10] - The growing divide in media consumption between conservatives and liberals is likely to further entrench societal divisions and political polarization [10]