Creating fear and uncertainty: Politicians and media working in kahoots

Politicians and segments of the media have often been accused of working together—or at least engaging in parallel tactics—to create fear and uncertainty within the public. This approach can have significant consequences for society, trust, and democracy as a whole.

How Fear and Uncertainty Are Created

• Fear as a Political Motivator: Politicians regularly use fear in their messaging to influence voter behavior. By highlighting potential threats—such as crime, terrorism, immigration, or the supposed dangers posed by political opponents—they aim to create a sense of urgency or crisis. This sense of fear can shift public opinion and even override long-standing partisan loyalties, leading to more emotional and reactive voting patterns123.

• Media Amplification and Sensationalism: Certain media outlets, driven by a need for ratings and engagement, can amplify politicians’ fear-based messaging. Sensationalist coverage, misleading headlines, and a focus on dramatic stories contribute to a general sense of uncertainty and anxiety, making it harder for the public to discern facts from exaggerated narratives456.

• Collusion or Symbiotic Relationships: In some regions and contexts, politicians and certain media organizations maintain close relationships where news is selectively leaked, or narratives are coordinated to benefit specific political actors. This can blur the line between independent journalism and political propaganda, leading to either subtle or explicit collusion78.

Impact on the Public

• Mental Health and Social Fabric: The sustained spread of fear and uncertainty can worsen mental health outcomes, increase anxiety, and lead to cynicism and apathy. It makes it more difficult for people to trust institutions and each other, eroding social cohesion and leading to higher levels of polarization495.

• Erosion of Trust in Democracy: As the information landscape becomes riddled with misinformation and sensationalism, trust in democratic processes and institutions declines. When people feel that politicians and the media are working "in cahoots," voter turnout and civic engagement can suffer45.

• Rise of Misinformation: Politicians or media figures sometimes spread false or misleading information to keep the public in a constant state of confusion. Social media amplifies these trends, promoting extreme content that increases fear and division, often for political gain or profit1011.

Why This Tactic Works

• Psychological Effects: Fear is a primal emotion that often overrides rational thinking. When people feel threatened, they are more likely to support "strong" leaders who promise safety and order, even if those threats are exaggerated or fabricated.

• Echo Chambers and Emotional Engagement: Social media and partisan media have created echo chambers where sensational, emotionally charged information spreads quickly. Algorithms prioritize this content, keeping people in a loop of alarmist news and reinforcing their existing fears and beliefs1112.

What Can Be Done?

• Civic Education and Media Literacy: Building awareness of these tactics and teaching citizens how to evaluate information critically helps decrease the impact of fear-based manipulation.

• Independent Journalism: Supporting media outlets committed to fact-checking and balanced reporting is crucial in counteracting fearmongering and sensationalism78.

In summary, the interplay between politics and media—sometimes based on direct collusion, other times driven by mutual interests in attention and influence—can and does create widespread fear and uncertainty. This has tangible effects on mental health, trust in institutions, and the quality of democratic engagement. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward reducing their power and impact.

1. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/donald-trump-and-the-politics-of-fear/498116/
2. https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/fear-motivator-elections
3. https://www.kosu.org/politics/2020-10-06/how-fear-and-anxiety-impact-political-behavior
4. https://healthydebate.ca/2025/02/topic/misinformation-mental-health-social-fabric/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12175740/
6. https://journalism.uoregon.edu/news/six-ways-media-influences-elections
7. https://www.interactioncouncil.org/publications/media-and-politics
8. https://artsci.washington.edu/news/2023-10/where-media-and-politics-meet
9. https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/mental-health-impact-of-politics/
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media_use_in_politics
11. https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4785&context=etd
12. https://news.umich.edu/political-rage-on-social-media-is-making-us-cynical/
13. https://www.peacheycounselling.ca/blog/2025/how-canadians-can-navigate-political-and-social-anxiety
14. https://www.headspace.com/articles/cope-with-politics-stress
15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty,_and_doubt
16. https://aeon.co/essays/why-liberals-fear-mongering-about-trump-should-read-hobbes
17. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/political-anxiety/
18. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10106894/
19. https://academic.oup.com/joc/article/69/6/650/5681988
20. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8242631/