The decline of local news: Local news outlets have been hit hard by the rise of cable news, as well as the shift towards online advertising. This has led to a decline in the amount of local reporting, which has made it harder for people to stay informed about the news that is happening in their own communities.
The rise of social media: Social media has become a major source of news for many people, but it can also be a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. This can make it difficult to know what news is accurate, which can lead to people becoming less informed about current events.
The increasing partisanship of the news media: The news media has become increasingly partisan in recent years, with outlets like Fox News and MSNBC favoring one political party over the other. This can make it difficult for people to get objective news coverage, as they are more likely to be exposed only to the views of one side.
These are just some of the trends that have helped to hasten the homogenization of national news in the past decade. As a result, people are more likely to be misinformed and less likely to be able to engage in informed debate about current events.