Misinformed...

     I think that the largest cause of misinformation is the extreme left and right winged sides that the media has taken. They could both be given a little fact and sway it with their views to try and manipulate popularity for their station by playing to the beliefs of their views. 

     This plays a big role in the presidential elections because they typically try to disprove the opponent that is the opposite in political beliefs. I've seen this happen primarily through "fact-checking." But not in favor of the politician they support more. They tend to try and catch the other opponent in lies. 

     The last election showed me that the media is not interested in proving someone right, but just making them seem right by proving the opposition wrong. I think this is another reason that there is misinformation in media and campaigns. I honestly think that if there was a completely neutral way to get information that gets thrown around during these elections people could make a more informed decision. Now if this is available now or if it ever comes to be I do not think that the people who should use it would. In society everyone is either conservative or liberal, there are no moderates anymore. It is almost an insult to be the opposite of someone else. 

     I think the media has exploited the American people's attitude towards how deeply they hold values that tend to be thrown into campaigns. Unless there is a completely neutral source of information the media is going to continue to misinform in favor of their favorite candidate.