July 17, 2024
Trump Assassination Attempt Shocks and Sensationalizes Media
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has shocked the U.S. and the world. Within moments of the incident, social media was set ablaze with digitally-manipulated content that rapidly distorted the fast-moving story. On X (formerly Twitter), altered images appeared of the former president and Secret Service agents smiling, while thousands of posts suggested baseless conspiracies. Political activists also quickly exploited the tragedy to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
With distrust already a major problem in the run-up to the upcoming U.S. elections, the incident magnified misinformation as sensationalism surged. Opportunists rushed to monetize the chaos with merchandise and conspiracy-laden ads on platforms like Facebook. Ads with false claims flooded social media, highlighting platforms’ struggle to balance free speech with responsibility and user safety.
CNN Struggles as it Pivots to Digital
The original cable news network is shaking things up amid a major structural overhaul. In an effort to boost revenue, CNN is embracing a digital transformation. The changes will focus on building a digital subscription model, integrating artificial intelligence, and enhancing online engagement. In addition, the network is cutting 100 jobs and disbanding its Race and Equality team.
CNN is not the only legacy news outlet struggling to adapt to a digital-first world. CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews is stepping down as the network braces for significant staff reductions. In addition to CNN’s recent cuts, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is laying off nearly 1,000 employees, which will include cuts to its popular streaming platform, Max.
Printing Press Faces Problems While Some See Revival
With nearly one-third of Americans still relying on print newspapers for information, some see a declining medium while others see new business opportunities. Bloomberg Businessweek is transitioning to a monthly print format—editor Brad Stone believes print provides a distraction-free format that will benefit long-form content. While not lucrative, some publishers are embracing print trends—from the resurgence of retro designs to the use of augmented reality in print.
While print may be making a comeback, it pales in comparison to digital platforms for breaking news. Some newspapers across the country could not include the news of the assassination attempt on former President Trump. In Florida, the Tampa Bay Times’ final print page was sent to press before the incident occurred. Severe weather in Chicago caused production issues that left thousands of residents without access to print papers. In North Carolina and Alaska, publishers are significantly cutting back on print production.
Sequence Summaries: Sensational Shock, CNN Situation, and Print Problems
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