> And I’d, in turn, amend that comment to strike the gratuitous swipe at “the media”.
You're flat out wrong, until the media you consume don't report anything at all about politics and at that point it's hard to call it media any more - simple reason: many politicians and even some companies communicate mostly with Twitter "soundbites" instead of holding press conferences.
At least “the media” I consume does not “parrot” social media toxicity. It may mention it if it gets traction, as is their job.