Former President Barack Obama, who left the White House in January 2017, revealed that the divisive nature of the media has been a primary cause of his insomnia.
During a discussion with Nate Burleson, co-host of “CBS Mornings,” Obama expressed his concerns about the polarization of the media and its impact on the nation.
He emphasized the fragmentation of the media landscape, noting, “My greatest worry is the extent to which we now have a fragmented conversation.”
Reflecting on a time when news was primarily received from three major networks, before the rise of cable news, the internet, and the 24-hour news cycle, Obama lamented the loss of a shared understanding of factual issues.
In his own words, Obama stated, “Today, what worries me the most is that due to the splintering of media, we almost exist in different realities. There was a time when people could acknowledge a problem without necessarily agreeing on the solution.”
He observed that nowadays, people often respond with statements like, “That never happened,” “I don’t believe it,” “I disregard the science,” or “I don’t trust those experts because they are all liberals,” dismissing opposing viewpoints as mere propaganda.
Obama highlighted that one of the goals of his foundation is to facilitate conversations where people start with the same set of information, fostering a return to a common ground for dialogue.
“How can we restore a normal conversation? How can we align ourselves with the same information?” he questioned.
During the interview, the former president also touched on the highly politicized debate surrounding gun violence and mass shootings. He criticized how the issue has become intertwined with culture wars, pitting suburban against urban, exacerbating racial tensions, class divides, and educational disparities. He stressed the importance of approaching the matter pragmatically and focusing on child safety rather than getting entangled in emotional and identity-driven arguments.