Since its launch in 1996, The Drudge Report has been a
cornucopia for anyone and everyone that's on a hunt for a juicy news
story. Through irresistible sensational headlines, and a knack for the right
wording, Matt Drudge has the ability to hook a New York Times reporter
just as easily as homebody in Minnesota.
It's somewhat hard to believe that a
website written in basic HTML with a revenue completely based on
advertisements has, according to a New York Times article, the
ability to maintain a consistent flow of traffic that totals 12 - 14 million
viewers a month. According to Amy S. Mitchell, the deputy director of the
Project for Excellence in Journalism, it's all about longevity.
"He was an early and powerful force in setting the news agenda and
has somehow maintained that even as there has been a great deal of change in
the way people get their news.”
Aside from the Times, other publications also agree that Drudge has a sort of timeless quality when it comes to his methods of delivering the news. A Salon article written by Heather Digby Parton pulls from many other articles and reports that continue to praise Drudge. Publications like Politico reported that Drudge is doing better than ever considering his new high traffic levels. On the other hand The New York Time continue to find his headlines front-page material.
Drudge is known for being the first to
break major political news scandals like that of Monica Lewinsky, thus proving
his credibility. However he equally has a history of fabrications and
misrepresentations through headlines. According to Parton, his involvement in
the most recent election may not be so beneficial, "Drudge doesn’t even try
to find political relevance to his lewd, juvenile innuendo."
It's no secret that
Drude is a driving force in the media. The only question is whether or not he
is driving the it the right way. According to the Salon article he may
not be, but a few mainstream media outlets are eating it up.
Andrew Breitbart said.
“ he just has the best nose for news there is. He gives people everything,
every single thing, they want to know in a single stop." The wording there is
crucial, because yes, honestly some people do want to hear that Hilary Clinton has a
lesbian lover, or a terminal illness, or both. He really can decide who he
wants to attract and then suck them in.
Parton believes, "As long as Matt Drudge is driving the
news cycle, it will only get worse." I can honestly say
I'm indifferent. We can leave it to Drudges harsh insinuations
or mainstream media conglomerates feeding a one sides agenda. At this point it's
really just about picking your poison until independent outlets can slay this
beast once and for all.
