Bad news Quote by Spiro T. Agnew
“Bad news drives out good news. The irrational is more controversial than the rational. Concurrence can no longer compete with dissent. One minute of Eldridge Cleaver is worth ten minutes of Roy Wilkins. The labor crises settled at the negotiating table is nothing compared to the confrontation that results in a strike ... normality has become the nemesis of network news.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Commentary, 1972
Contrasting news highlights how sensationalism outweighs factual reporting, and dissent often eclipses consensus, leading to societal tension.
In simple terms: Bad news overshadows good; dissent beats agreement.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced information and critical thinking.
Themes
media
politics
truth
dissent
consensus
Mood
critical
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- political debate
- social media
- policy making
Key Concepts
propaganda
information overload
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discern reliable news?
- What role should dissent play in democracy?
A Different Perspective
The statement may overgeneralize media dynamics and ignore constructive dissent.
![“I don't want people to think he [Eldridge Cleaver] is so important - our party is important because our party works for the people and no individual is important in our party, including myself.” quote by Huey Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e3e/huey-newton-8581_cleaver_i-don-t-want-people-to-think-he-eldridge_1104929.jpg)
