[marktwain]

The difference is that many newspapers let you know outright where their partisan loyalties were (there was an editorial declaration that a newspaper was aligned with one party or another).

Yes. For most of the history of the Republic, most media was openly partisan.

Only during the Progressive era did the media pretend to be objective.

We are moving back to the healthier partisan media.

[Army Air Corps]

Correct, and I completely agree with your final statement.

[x]

Yes. For most of the history of the Republic, most media was openly partisan.

Only during the Progressive era did the media pretend to be objective.

We are moving back to the healthier partisan media.

More honest, maybe, but not necessarily healthy.

When the only issue was the tariff, and maybe civil service reform, partisanship wasn't such a big deal.

When people disagree about everything, more partisan journalism may not be a great thing.