A few hours before another federal government shutdown, Alexander Heffner, the host of “The Open Mind” on PBS, spoke about political divisiveness and information that is spread through cable TV networks during a Syracuse University lecture Thursday evening.

The lecture, hosted by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, was held in Eggers Hall.

While highlighting that these problems cultivate hyper-partisanship, Heffner offered ideas on how the press can restore civil discourse.

Heffner, who worked extensively on millennial participation during the presidential election, said he has seen how technology can be used to unify millennials around a common issue. But, Heffner said this technology can also increase polarization between Democrats and Republicans.

The TV host referred to social media platforms — namely Facebook, Twitter and YouTube — as “antisocial media,” because they can promote fake news and misinformation.

“Fake news harnessed the basic hardware that were feeding misinformation on Facebook and Twitter,” Heffner told the crowd of students, staff and faculty that filled the hall. “It’s a system that’s corrupting the very DNA of deliberative democracy.”

And, in a debate between Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Heffner also said CNN delivered “fabricated talking points” between the two high-profile politicians with little common ground on health care issues in an attempt to stir both controversy and viewership.

The media should reflect the mechanics of government rather than political personalities, Heffner said, which would help promote the public discussion about national issues in an educated manner.

“If the operating software of our consciousness is fueled by personality and reality TV, the reality is we need to amuse our democracy back to life,” Heffner said. “We need to champion the value of civility … but at the same time, (be) life-affirming.”

Less than four weeks after becoming president-elect, Trump invited Mitt Romney — one of his harshest Republican critics during the campaign — to dinner to discuss the possibility of the former governor becoming secretary of state.

A picture of Romney, looking noticeably baffled while sitting next to Trump, went viral.

“It made great TV,” a member of the audience said to Heffner as part of a question. “It may be destructive to the public, but it kept people glued to the (television) set.”

Heffner said that networks can use political personalities to fuel an “energy of interests,” and can bring attention to the personalities of congressmen while giving light to the issues they deal with.

He said it’s the “amazing race” to legislative success.

Heffner said he envisioned a major network following two model congressmen — in his opinion John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) — and focusing on an issue they are opposed in. It would shed light into their daily lives, while educating the public about the issue, he said.

“I don’t know if there’s another alternative to at least try and see if they can make politics sexy again and at the same time, sane,” Heffner said. “If you give it time … there’s no reason not to attempt it.”

Published on February 9, 2018 at 12:47 pm

Contact Gabe: gkstern@syr.edu | @gabestern326