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For me, Brexit was the apex because it represented a tipping point for one of the world's longest functioning democracies (a model upon which many Western democracies are based) and a failure of the classic view of the 4 Estates of Democracy. We are now in a new era in the UK where it is 'acceptable' for the government (the Executive) to ignore Parliament (the Legislature) and the courts (the Judiciary) and use the media (the 4th Estate, which has traditionally had a function to hold the other 3 to account) to manipulate voters into voting for something which would demonstrably make the majority worse off. Personally, I feel that the move from 'editorial' media to 'social' media has rendered the function of the 4th Estate, to a large degree, obsolete. Mass manipulation seems quite straightforward on Social Media (e.g. Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal). Folk will believe what they want to believe, do very little in the way of fact checking, and seem particularly susceptible to simple false equivalences (e.g. the infamous NHS Bus blaming the EU for government's underinvestment in health services, and the government blaming immigrants for their underinvestment in social services and housing in deprived areas). It all seems very plausible to many people, and Social Media provides the online echo chambers for these manipulations to take hold and become accepted as fact. All the government then has to do is present their latest legislation as the silver bullet to shoot the bogeyman they created, and call anyone who challenges them 'undemocratic' or 'unpatriotic'

Perhaps, because it is a global phenomenon ? It's the power (and major failure) of social media. It has become so 'cliquey' that, unless you share an opinion that is common with the majority, you become something of an outcast. Television News, I don't bother watching it these days. Far to much 'drivel' and opinion pieces in there. Not enough substance. Newspapers, I haven't bought one in years. As with television, except that they stick 'boobs' on page 3 or something. They lie more than politicians do. Politics, I ALWAYS cast my vote. Generally based on the historic performance of particular candidates. Still doesn't guarantee that they will not mess it up though.