By: Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri

Founder & CEO 

Reconnaissance Research 

Is Jon Stewart's criticism of the state of political discourse on television still relevant in America today? The answer is a resounding yes.

While it has been almost two decades since Stewart appeared on "Crossfire," the issues he raised have only gotten worse in recent years.

Political debate shows continue to be dominated by partisan bickering and sensationalism, with little emphasis on substantive policy discussions. Cable news networks in particular have become increasingly polarized, with hosts and pundits promoting extreme viewpoints and engaging in personal attacks. For example, Fox News is often accused of promoting sensational stories that lack factual basis. while CNN is accused of sensationalizing stories In shows like "Anderson Cooper 360" to boost ratings. MSNBC have also been accused of promoting sensational stories that lack factual basis.

The rise of social media has also contributed to the problem, with people retreating into echo chambers and consuming news and information that reinforces their preexisting beliefs. This has led to a breakdown in civil discourse, with people on opposite sides of the political spectrum often demonizing one another and refusing to engage in constructive dialogue. For example, Democrats and Republicans engaged in a bitter battle over how to address the country's mounting debt in 2011. In 2013, a government shutdown occurred due to Republicans' refusal to pass a budget unless it included measures to defund or delay the Affordable Care Act. and both Democratic and Republican candidates resorted to personal attacks during the 2020 presidential election.

Moreover, the recent proliferation of so-called "fake news" has only further eroded trust in the media and made it harder for people to distinguish between fact and fiction.

All of these trends have contributed to a toxic political climate that is harming America's democracy. As Stewart pointed out back in 2004, the media has a responsibility to inform and educate the public, but all too often they are failing to live up to that responsibility.

So why would someone from Kuwait talk about this issue? Because it undermines America's credibility and influence abroad, as other countries view the U.S. as a divided and dysfunctional nation that is unable to effectively address its domestic problems let alone international affairs. To improve the state of political discourse in America and mitigate these negative effects, promoting media literacy and critical thinking skills among the public and encouraging higher standards of journalistic ethics in the media are crucial steps that need to be taken.