As one Netflix serial closes, another starts

Mar 2 to Mar 9: ↓ Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial ↑ American Kidnappings in Mexico

Mar 09, 2023

Here are the top 5 news topics of the past week, based on front-page attention, which tracks the most popular news outlets in the US.

Barring the Ukraine-Russia Conflict, in which an excessive number of Ukrainian and Russian lives are being lost daily and the ongoing struggle between NATO and Russia (and now China) for power and influence evolves, the top “news” that is being pushed most resembles Netflix Exclusive Content.

For better or worse, last week's news was rife with fractured narratives and scant information, leaving the public hungry for splashy, clear-cut outcomes and events. But when we prioritize sensation over substance, we risk not making progress on the meaty, uncertain topics in the world: geopolitics, policy, and society.

Alex Murdaugh Double Murder Trial

Summary by Clarity AI: Prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh has been found guilty of killing his wife and son, resulting in a shattered dynasty, a double life sentence, and a controversial case with some claiming reasonable doubt while others seek Trump's opinion.

Here’s the aggregated front-page attention over time for this topic:

Once the sentencing is complete, it's possible that public interest in the Murdaugh case will start to wane. Appeals can drag on for months or even years, and the broader impact of the case on the Murdaugh family and the South Carolina legal community may not generate the same level of attention as the trial itself. While there are many thought-provoking themes to explore - such as power dynamics, family dynamics, and societal pressures - they may not be enough to keep the public hooked.

With so much uncertainty in the world - from inflation and interest rates to US-China tensions and the lab leak theory - it's no wonder that people are feeling overwhelmed. And when the media senses that fatigue, they often pivot to more sensational topics - like the recent kidnapping of American tourists in Mexico.

Summary by Clarity AI: a group of American tourists was kidnapped in Mexico by a cartel, two were killed and two were found alive, prompting a search by the FBI and raising concerns about security in the area.

It's the kind of story that could be straight out of a Hollywood movie, combining the high-stakes drama of Narcos with the tense action of Taken. It remains to be seen how much attention this story will continue to receive, but one thing is clear: in a world full of complex and daunting issues, it's easy to see why stories like this one can capture the public's imagination.

🎭🤔🔥 Chris Rock's Comedy Special

Chris Rock's recent comedy special on Netflix. Rather than focusing on his thought-provoking themes of free speech and self-censorship, many headlines have centered on his comments about fellow actor Will Smith. It's a prime example of how the media can miss the mark when it comes to covering important issues in favor of more clickable content.

Uncertain topics continue to evolve

A quick reminder - I spent the past the last few months working with Jeremy to build Clarity - an AI-powered news reader to help measure media bias and pop your filter bubble. It updates every day and uses a transparent, intuitive algorithm for you to quickly and efficiently get the news across the spectrum.

The divide

60% of Republicans turn to Fox News for political news and 53% of Democrats turn to CNN. This means that a large portion of the country is being pushed two different versions of the world. Take a look at a bird’s eye view of partisan media:

That’s it for this week. To see a full rundown of the biggest stories of the week, along with a detailed analysis of how they are being covered by the various tribal factions, check out useclarity.com. And if you’re curious, here’s how it works.

P.S. Clarity AI now generates emojis with each topic to both inform and emote. Let me know if you like it or hate it!