## The Embarrassment of the Elite Media in the 2024 Campaign### Failed Guardian Dog PrinciplePolitical journalists increasingly see their job as protecting their preferred candidates through instrumental lenses rather than as adversarial watchdog roles. An example of this is the softball interview Kamala Harris received from MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle, where important questions such as her boss's mental decline and her inaction were omitted.### Decline of Legacy MediaThe mainstream journalistic ecosystem is grappling with massive long-term institutional decline in terms of audience, reach, employment, and influence. The role of either hero or villain is no longer tenable as media outlets struggle to sustain their relevance.### The Death of Local NewsThe deterioration of local news media, often blamed on the center-right for elite propaganda, is primarily attributed to the economic impact of digitization on the newspaper industry. The demise of local news outlets has left a void that has been insufficiently filled by national-scale digital news sources.### The Media Bubble and Partisan PolarizationPolitico's 2017 study revealed the formation of a political bubble within the national media workforce, with a heavy concentration in coastal areas and an overwhelming skew towards pro-Clinton political views. This has led to the creation of a journalistic narrative dominated by the bluest neighborhoods in the bluest cities.### Shift Towards Identity PoliticsThe rise of social media and the resulting proliferation of echo chambers have contributed to the polarization of media outlets. Journalists have increasingly embraced identity-politics narratives, emphasizing ideological purity and opposing views perceived as unacceptable.### Tucker Carlson's Descent into AntiestablishmentarianismTucker Carlson, once a respected political journalist, has embraced an extreme form of anti-establishmentarianism that often leads him to spurious conclusions, backed by unreliable narrators. His stance has gained support among those who seek to tear down political and intellectual norms but has hindered the ability of the right to hold Democrats accountable.### Failure of Plagiarism Attack Against HarrisThe attempt to discredit Kamala Harris' 2009 book by highlighting plagiarism allegations was met with skepticism from many traditional news outlets due to the perceived biases of the source and the relatively minor nature of the transgressions compared to those of Trump.### The Erosion of Trust and the Rise of the IndependentsPublic trust in mass media has plummeted to all-time lows, with distrust reaching 68%. Iconoclastic writers and independent journalists have left mainstream media and achieved success by tackling topics that traditional media outlets avoid or dismiss.### Media's Collusion with GovernmentDespite the erosion of audience and influence, the establishment media retains some power by colluding with government agencies to suppress speech deemed to be "misinformation." This poses a significant threat to freedom of expression.### ConclusionThe negative evolution of the media ecosystem has negatively impacted both political discourse and trust in credible news sources. However, the weakening of legacy media has created an opportunity for independent journalistic voices to emerge and challenge the establishment narrative. By demanding better journalism and government accountability, consumers can foster the growth of a more trustworthy and diverse informational ecosystem.