Bias in the Blogosphere?
There’s been a lot of talk this election cycle about bias in the blogosphere and the so-called mainstream media. And while some of it is a mixture of paranoia and sore-losing, the majority of the criticism has merit. In fact, let’s not kid each other, the mainstream media - with the exception of Fox News - consistently campaigns for the Democratic Party. This has always bothered me.
However, since this is the first time I’ve ever voted for a Democrat in a major election I have to say I love it! It feels great. If I hear or see criticism of my candidate I simply turn of Fox News or switch the channel. Done.
Politico has taken some hits from readers this cycle but stands firm in their own defense of “it ain’t us…it’s because McCain’s really is this bad.” Harris and Vandehei write:
There have been moments in the general election when the one-sidedness of our site — when nearly every story was some variation on how poorly McCain was doing or how well Barack Obama was faring — has made us cringe.
As it happens, McCain’s campaign is going quite poorly and Obama’s is going well. Imposing artificial balance on this reality would be a bias of its own.
Is that an excuse? Should reporters/bloggers go out of their way to be “balanced” even when one side sucks so bad? Or does it depend on whether the individual writers package themselves as reporters or merely commentators on the passing scene?
Popularity: 47% [?]
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a Master of Arts in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism). Use the form on the right to sign up for the "Friday Morning Fix” and other timely updates.
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dickmill
| Oct 29, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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It is what it is. Read history. This election is tame compared to some. And…newspapers and “journalists” have ALWAYS sided one way or the other. The ONLY difference is that in this communication age we SEE it all. It’s always been there!
We’re simply SHOCKED when we see coverage of natural disasters or fires or accidents — like they never happened before cable news!
GPalmer
| Oct 30, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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I agree completely, it is what it is. The “media” in general always has been and always will be biased.
To me it’s all about what you purport to be… Politico claims journalism..reporting the news.. not op/ed.. So, an accusation of bias is warranted if the bias shapes what is reported. the distinction needs to be between reporting and opining…
LaPaix
| Oct 30, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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As Campbell Brown said this week on the Daily Show, if one candidate says it’s raining and one candidate says it’s sunny, she should be able to go to the window, see that it’s sunny, and say who is wrong. I feel that the MSM are so worried about being called biased that they haven’t been saying “It’s sunny!” when in fact it is. That reluctance to state the facts in order to appear balanced is a definite bias. It has taken weeks for the MSM to finally admit that Obama has got the electoral college votes to win (unless there are serious shenanigans going on).
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=189159
Keith | Oct 30, 2008 | Reply Vote:
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Regardless of what the outcome is…we are all part of a historic election. We either have the first African-American President or the first female Vice President.
Starburst | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply Vote:
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Sure there’s always been biased in the media but faux news takes it to a new level and a dangerous one at that.
I agree, Keith! Historic!!!!! Yippee!
*Starburst*