Don't underestimate the contribution of 24-hour news, with the advent of CNN and an exponential increase in cable movie channels in the '80s. Before CNN, news came from half hour to one hour news shows in the morning and evening, and from the local newspaper, and the radio. If you wanted more news than that you subscribed to various magazines and periodicals. But the news WAS more balanced then, as the Fairness Doctrine was still in place, mandating equal time for political candidates, which Reagan got rid of because old-school conservative snowflakes were tired of having to listen to and present views outside their constipated bubble.

Because CNN had to fill 24 hours a day now with news, we got a lot more attention on the important stuff, but also a lot of stupid crap too, including people and stories which should never have been on the news. That was also the dawn of the beginnings of reality TV, like the live rescue of a little girl who'd fallen down a hole in the ground, and later, the OJ chase.

Nut groups like the KKK took advantage of this and created news with rallies & marches & so forth because they knew it would make the news. Whatever was outrageous and eye-catching leads. Or as Don Henley sang back then, "We all know that crap is king, give us your dirty laundry!"