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Media Bias Continuum
By Demosthenes | November 14, 2008
I’ve enjoyed watching news television talking heads gasp as they lose market share to Fox News. What’s really been interesting is how they react to Fox News’ “We Report, You Decide” tag line. Now that Fox News has been around long enough, they’ve managed to collect themselves and mount a defense to this assault on their self-appointed leadership role. They still won’t acknowledge any media bias in any significant way (though that’s beginning to change). They want us to believe they are objective journalists. Yeah, right.
From their perspective, they are right in the middle of the objective reporting continuum, and Fox News is some extreme, right wing zealot group. Here’s how I see it:
Note that MSNBC is actually over the edge. Wait, is that a thrill going up my leg? Nope, it’s just a warm, wet feeling going down my leg.
Most people understand that if they are subjected to any particular philosophy without any counter check on its ideology, anything else will appear extreme in the other direction. So, it’s not surprising that all television networks except Fox News will appear normal, and Fox News itself will appear extreme. However, if one objectively views the actual ideology of all other networks, you will discover their left leaning philosophy. Then, the continuum looks a lot different.
I had to laugh the other night when I was watching Lou Dobbs complaining about the “left wing media.” C’mon Lou. I know you’re not like most of the talking heads on CNN, but your network can hardly be considered objective. CNN is in the middle alright. Right in the middle of that left wing infestation.
Lou, I know Fox News. And CNN is no Fox News.
I’ve watched Fox News for years, and though some of the shows have conservatives, those are editorial hosts. They are not presenting themselves as reporters. Besides, when I watch Hannity and Colmes or Bill O’Reilly, I’ve never seen them bring someone on without someone from the opposing side. That’s objective reporting.
By the way, if you want a real kick, check out this video I found at the Colossus of Rhodey blog: http://colossus.mu.nu/archives/278132.php. It’s 60 seconds of pure fun from Keith Olbermann.
Topics: General | 35 Comments »
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