Bias, a CBS Insider Exposes How the Medi a Distort

“No problem. Frankly, I haven't read 3/4 of those threads (been busying myself with other things). Don't worry. I will keep my posts to you on the Underground Railroad thread. We seem to be able to achieve civility there...”

“: )”

“personally I think sarge gets off on people busting on him”

“If all of you would please join my new political party this nonsence would stop. Join the "100 HP Global Warmers Party",we vote every day at the gas pump.Oh,also I would like a list of which of you would consider yourself "rubber", and which would be "glue".”

“http://www.newsbusters.org/
Cool new site!”

“Once again, the NYT doing their thing.

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050825/NEWS01/508250319/1002”

“What up Ice Tea!”

“I guess its time to beat this horse again!!


last edited: 3/23/06 2:09:31 PM”

“I guess its time to beat this horse again!! - MarkO

MarkO, participation in the discussion is optional.”

“You're makin' a mountain out of a mole hill, Sargie!”

“His is a pretty common sentiment.”

““You're makin' a mountain out of a mole hill, Sargie!” - MarkO

I posted a link. No text. No commentary.”

“Violin - I just want you to know I didn't read that cartoon.”

“Unless a news organization uses the words 'silly libbies', laughs at Hillary Clinton's latest moves, ingores 50 or 60 people dying in Iraq a day to emphasize a new coat of paint at an elementary school in an obscure province, refuses any critcism of the President, runs administration press releases as news features, is run by a pro-lifer on a conservative think tank and runs obscure largely irrelevant articles on some Iraqi plumber who once found what could be described as WMDs in a blocked toilet - then it has a liberal bias.”

““Unless a news organization uses the words 'silly libbies', laughs at Hillary Clinton's latest moves, ingores 50 or 60 people dying in Iraq a day to emphasize a new coat of paint at an elementary school in an obscure province, refuses any critcism of the President, runs administration press releases as news features, is run by a pro-lifer on a conservative think tank and runs obscure largely irrelevant articles on some Iraqi plumber who once found what could be described as WMDs in a blocked toilet - then it has a liberal bias.” - Y2

Don't forget to add if a top executive of the news department says "Bush makes me sick".”

“Sarge, Sarge, Sarge......
There you go trying to use reason with the libbies again...
LOL”

“And what if Bush's behavior in some concept really was such that a reasonable person could become nauseated? Would it be biased to say so?

Too bad that fabled emperor allowed a liberal biased press to anounce that he was naked.”

“And what if Bush's behavior in some concept really was such that a reasonable person could become nauseated? Would it be biased to say so?

If the reason is that you are disgusted with Bush's policies, then yes - and we all know that this guy was - hates Bush - and it's reflected on the news. You can pretend like you don't accept that all day long - but everybody reading this dialog knows that to be the case.”

“Sarge, listen to that sound...

It's the sound of violin's, marko's, and y2's minds clenching. Haven't you heard it before?




I've read six books and two scholarly academic measurements of bias in the media. I’ve had this discussion before. Any rational human being knows about the bias in the media.

Don’t ever assume that those three (and many other “liberals”) are rational or open-minded. They’ve already made up their minds. They won’t read anything that disagrees with them and they won’t discuss the issue intelligently.

Like most of the mainstream media, they laugh about a great “conservative” conspiracy and deny their willful ignorance.

Is it any wonder that newspapers and TV news have been declining in popularity? It’s the internet, “liberals” say. People aren’t interested, “liberals” say. These may be some of the reasons, Sarge, but any rational person knows that many of us are just plain fed up with all of the brokeback propaganda being fed to us by the mainstream media.

Does the popularity of “conservative” talk radio surprise you, Sarge? Apparently it surprises the heck out of most “liberals.”

Does the popularity of Fox news surprise you, Sarge? Apparently most “liberals” are in deep denial about that as well.

Sarge, if you don’t think like them, you’re obviously an idiot. I know because the “liberal” media keeps propagandizing to that effect.

Joseph Goebbels and the rest of the National Socialist German Workers Party would be proud of a media machine that’s convinced most people that the National Socialist German Workers Party were right-wing. It’s so similar to 1984 that it’s scary.


If you want, I can direct you to some fascinating information that will really open your eyes. Don’t waste your time on the “liberals”, it’s worthless.


They already have all the answers.
last edited: 3/23/06 9:23:48 PM”

“Sarge, listen to that sound...

It's the sound of violin's, marko's, and y2's minds clenching. Haven't you heard it before?

Yes. After I eat beans.”

“Arclite - would you describe your views as mainstream? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't. From what you've said in the past, even what most republicans consder a fair tax system is considered as socialist by you. As such anything not reflective of your views would appear biased. Just because the news doesn't tie in with your views doesn't mean it's intrinsically biased.
The mainstream media in America is positioned more to the right than most of those in other parts of the world - that in itself is reflective of most of its readship and writers being right of most of the world. Come election time, the time that really matters, serious candidates are given pretty equal coverage.

Most of the news stories I see, apart from those on the right, try to give equal air time to all points of views on political matters.

It's not the job of the media to republish press releases of the party in power, or to take what they say at face value. It's their job to criticize and question those in power. At the moment that is the GOP. As such they can appear abrasive and somewhat biased, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Should a Democrat win the next Presidential election, I don't want him or her to be given an easy ride. If there's corruption or waste, I want to know about it. If a country goes to war, I want to know as much as possible about the reasons why and if war is justified.

Bush is having a hard time at the moment, and gets a hard time from the press. But he did take the country to war, Katrina was not handled well, and Cheney shot someone in the face, and frankly was less than upfront about it... three things that spring to mind.

The campaign, and it does seem to be a campaign, about the liberally biased media, is coming from those on the right who would prefer every news organization in America to be like Fox. If they can't do that then at least it keeps the pressure on and creates a ready-made excuse should bad news come out.

50-people a day dying in Iraq.... that's just the liberal media, ... why don't they talk about the good things going on there. Well it's not front page news. The features about progress are there. The Administration leaders are covered, telling you about progress in Iraq - but what should be done - should they ignore the bombs going off several times a day. Should a bomb going off in Israel be pushed down the news agenda becasue it doesn't show that any progress is being made - or is the bombing itself a sign that problems still remain?

Is there any perfectly unbiased news source, no, but certainly most news organizations and journalists are out there at least trying to be fair.
last edited: 3/23/06 9:59:36 PM”

“Being level headed will get you no where, Y2. Of course, I'm biased.”

““Arclite - would you describe your views as mainstream? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't. From what you've said in the past, even what most republicans consder a fair tax system is considered as socialist by you. As such anything not reflective of your views would appear biased. Just because the news doesn't tie in with your views doesn't mean it's intrinsically biased."


Read my lips, Y2: Considering all that has gone before, that is the statement of a moron who deals in personal opinion. You seem incapable of forming a learned opinion.

I won't tell you to read books and studies. I already have, and you refuse.



Your opinions aren’t worth any rational thought because you refuse to educate yourself.”

“Arclite - you deliberately seek out books and studies which back up your view. There are many books and studies out there that are wrong.

Marx for example could be considered a learned opinion, of whom much has been written and studdied. In fact his works are some of the most influencial in History.

Das Capital could even be said to be influencing many governments in Latin America today - does that mean Marx and those who have read and agree with his views are correct?

Just because someone in a book or study puts forward a persuasive argument, doesn't mean it's right.

It's a trend recently to publish these right-wing books as there's a bunch of easily influenced people looking for cofirmation that their extremist views are in fact mainstream - things going badly in Iraq, of course not, the media just has an irrational hatred ofDubya.

If the news doesn't fit your agenda, then find a reason why. Why are you an extremist - you're not, the news has a liberal bias!

It's easier than any self-examination. It is not a learned view - it's just a self-justifying one.

A recent study of sunday morning news shows showed that the right-wing guests are often counterbalanced by moderate or middle-of-the-road guests, rather than 'progressive' guests, and how some GOP figures are considered influencial enough not to need another guest giving an alternative view. John McCain and Rudi Guilliani were given as examples, as well as key administration figures.

Contrary to what you might think, very few news agendas are set by a bunch of bearded liberals sitting round a table, discussing how they can nix the right. They are set by the events of the day - events that are influenced more by the politicans in power than some liberal agenda.”

“If one cannot see the obvious liberal bias in mainstream news, then they are simply not being honest or are easily fooled. Generally speaking, radio is right-leaning, network news is left-leaning. That's just a simple observable factoid that doesn't take any genius to figure out. Most network execs do not like Bush personally whatsoever and the 'news' stories they tell and how they tell them clearly reflect it. Of course if you're already left-leaning you ain't gonna see it. Step back and be objective and it's actually quite obvious. I can see right-leaning bias too in certain news too, if I really let myself be objective even though I think it's really common-sense right on.”

“We all remember _{blue dress} how the liberal network _{blue dress} news ignored Clinton's _{blue dress} foibles, don't we?”

“Bias doesn't mean ignorance. We all notice how Fox News also reports terrorist attacks, or Sean Hannity not agreeing with Bush on immigration or the UAE ports deal, etc. It's more of an underlying bias and what is focused on and what is ignored. Also, with Clinton you didn't have to go out of your way to find stained dresses. The networks and liberal newspapers go out of their way, even sometimes to the point of fabricating stories, to undermine Bush. It seems the NY Times had to twice apologize this week for stories they jumped on that were false or exaggerated because they liked what they saw without regard to facts.”

“Y2, you don’t seem to care about verification through research. Nor do you appear to possess the capacity to rationally analyze data. You misrepresent what others may, or may not, be thinking, and inject your opinions. You apparently have a hard time following along. Y2, you must be a journalist.

Look Y2, it is obvious that you don’t know what I think. There is a strong possibility that you are incapable of the kind of thought that I am. I feel sorry for you. I thank God that I was blessed with brains when I watch you fumble around and f#*k up. I mean no personal offense. I’m blunt, honest, politically incorrect, and I do not suffer fools gladly.

I have read What Liberal Media by Eric Alterman. I had thought you took part in that discussion? If not, you would have discovered that fact if you had done any research by referencing past threads. Instead you chose to make personal opinion proclamations. You refuse to educate yourself. You refuse to research. Do you enjoy junk science like most journalists?

What Liberal Media was recommended by Phaedrus (I believe it was). He’s another shining example of a closed-minded “liberal.” When I tried to discuss the book, it was apparent that he had not even read it. It’s an interesting thing to watch someone rebut an argument with information about which they know nothing.

I have read many opinion articles that try to debunk the fact that the media is biased. NONE provide ANY convincing evidence. It is all based on conjecture and innuendo. Nor do they try to make a scientific analysis as do A Measure of Media Bias, Presidential Crisis Rhetoric and the Press in the Post-Cold War World, and Press Bias and Politics How the Media Frame Controversial Issues. Nor do they provide overwhelming case study evidence as does Journalistic Fraud.

Oh, by the way, I agree with many of the philosophical positions pushed by the propaganda in the media. But propaganda is wrong in a medium that professes to be unbiased. We diverge there. You are the one who is defending media bias because it agrees with your philosophy. How selfish of you.

Oh pray tell, what books have you read on the subject?




What books are wrong, Y2? Give specific examples. Do you mean they were wrong about the remarkable political diversity that exists in the mainstream media?


What specifically did you find wrong with Journalistic Fraud, how the NYT distorts the news and can no longer be trusted?


What specifically did you find wrong with Press Bias and Politics How the Media Frame Controversial Issues?


What specifically did you find wrong with A Measure of Media Bias?




You remind me of an “educated liberal” who made a comment about Journalistic Fraud. She derisively said, “How can you read that?”

I asked her if she had read it.

“No” she said, “but I read an article in Vanity Fair that explains the whole issue of media bias.”

Case closed for her. That’s all she needed to know. It’s a shame that so many people set their standards so low. How do you justify it, Y2?


The public has little faith in journalists for good reason. Many, many journalists appear to lack any ability for self-examination. The Dan Rather fiasco wasn’t news was it?




There are more things in heaven and earth, Y2, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
last edited: 3/24/06 7:11:25 PM”

“Like I said before, the press is critical of ruling administration's in general. This applies worldwide where the press is free.

Arclite, you've listed some of the books and studies in the past. I don't want to have to go and find them.

Sure my views are what many in America would describe as liberal. I can admit my bias, and I don't see more than incidental bias. How bout you Arclite - can you admit your bias. That you're coming at this from an partial point of view. Or are you above all that?

Like I said, it's about the party or group in power at the time. You'll remember the issues between the bbc and Blair's government. You go the world over and you'll find negative stories about the party in power.”

“And I doubt that any book you read would convince you that the mainstream media is not universally biased against the right. I would say your opinions are so set in stone that nothing you read would change your mind. It's obvious you come to this with pre-existing views, as it's the only subject you seem to post regularly on. In your mind you see a serious bias, and have researched what you can to justify and back that view up.

Let me ask you this. What drew you to research this subject so thoroughly? Could it be that you didn't like what you were seeing?

Sure many journalists hold what are considered liberal views, but they also endeavor to be professional - kind of like a lawyer who offers a guilty client the best defense. You watch any of the news and you'll find that the vast majority, on political issues, attempt to give equal coverage to the two parties who are broadly representative of the voters. Fringe parties on both sides get little to no coverage, but that's another matter.

Simply because the news doesn't start a campaign for flat taxation, which seems to be the only other issue you post on, is more reflectiive of this being an extremist position and not some vast left-wing conspiracy at work to conceal what you consider logical from the masses.

Arclite, I accept much is kept from the news, but a bigger issue at the moment is what is largely ignored. Those without medicare get very little coverage, you only see a small number of stories about the elderly unable to buy their medications, or forced to go to Canada or Mexico, to but them on the cheap. The only time the lives of people living in poverty in the inner-cities has been highlighted was when they died in their masses in New Orleans. We here lots from people in here about how people sponge off the state, though little for the single mother who has to rely on benefits and the food banks because any job she gets won't cover the cost of childcare.

So, to reiterate - I have a liberal bias, but claim that most mainstream media outlets attempt to give equal access to the two main parties broadly representative of the right and the left in America.

How about you? Are you biased? Could it be that your views on this come more from your own preconcepions that a high minded study you've undertaken that's above the fray of right and left?


Buck, you bring a reasonable voice to the debate - some bias can appear to emerge, but I think this balances out over time.
last edited: 3/24/06 9:27:46 PM”

“To be honest I think news in general is in a mess here. Most networks carry about five hours a day of local news, and 30 minutes of largely American-based news. People barley know what's going on in the next state.”

“http://themediamob.observer.com/2006/03/abc-suspends-producer-john-green-after-email-flap.html

ABC Suspends Producer John Green After E-Mail Flap

ABC News executives have suspended Weekend Good Morning America executive producer John Green for a month, after two politically charged personal e-mails Green sent to a colleague were leaked to the press, according to two network sources.

In one e-mail, sent during a presidential debate on Sept. 30, 2004, Green wrote, "Are you watching this? Bush makes me sick. If he uses the 'mixed messages' line one more time, I'm going to puke." That message appeared on the Drudge Report on March 23. Green e-mailed his staff the day it was posted to apologize. In his mea culpa, which was also posted on Drudge, Green wrote "I want all of you to know how much I regret the embarrassment this story causes ABC. It was an inappropriate thing to say and I'm deeply sorry."

On March 30, The New York Post's "Page Six" quoted from another Green e-mail, this one about former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. In that note, for which no date was given, Green argued that Albright should not be booked on GMA because she has "Jew shame," the Post reported.

Weekend GMA staffers were told of Green's suspension today.

An ABC spokesman declined to comment, saying the network does not discuss personnel matters.
===============================





Hadn't heard about the 'Jew Shame' comment before. Interesting....and Y2 was just saying how stupid I was to infer the far left had any kind of anti-jews bias.
LOL”

“Now that he's gone, ABC won't be slanting so much to the left. *cough*”

“LOL, good one, Sarge!”

“Actual Top 5 Current Online News Headlines as they appear compared:

ABC
---
Bush Pushes Guest Workers
Delphi Set to Lay off up to 8,500
Grass Fires Burn up to 8 Homes in Atlanta Suburbs
More Trouble for Delay? Top Aid Pleads Guilty
Rice Conceeds 'Tactical Errors' in Iraq
Worse than Watergate? Nixon Aide Rips Bush

FOX
---
Capitol Cop Caper: Lawyer: McKinney victom of 'being in congress while black'
Mumps Outbreak: Epidimic Hits Parts of Iowa
Students Rally: West Coast school walkouts continue
Stocks Finish Strong 1st Qtr on Soft Note
WTC 911 Tapes: 'Please Hurry'


Can you guess who has the Anti-Bush AGENDA?

Which "news" organization headlines the real headlines vs. the spin?”

“Spin spin spin, it's what they do.....
last edited: 3/31/06 8:56:23 PM”

“You don't even understand that final comment do you stovey?”

“I understand far more than a closed minded personage like yourself can even dream.
LOL”

“Unlike you closed minded Liberals, I don't consider everyone with views other than my own to be stupid.”

“Did you know that John Green is Jewish StoveStomper?

Could Y2 have a point about stupidity?”

“So you are saying secular far left jews can't hate practicing jews?
How stupid.”

“You've been drinking right Stovey?”

“There you again, Y2.....
LOL
Isn't it about time for you to tell me to go suck treebeard's dick.
Man! That oh so smart comment you like so much really puts me in my place!
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!”

“http://www.tvweek.com/9678.html

More proof that CBS "News" is not about the "news".”

“CBS gets bit trying to distort and make news.

Iraqi kid to an amused and surprised Harry Smith: "Sir, my name is Bush." Checking in from Baghdad on Tuesday's Early Show, Smith quipped that in "just an illustration of how much bad news there is here, a friend of mine here in Iraq told me the other day 'the busiest people in this town are the terrorists.'" But Smith went searching for "a little optimism, and looking for a little, a little progress, and we found it in a city called Sababor." There he showed happy Iraqi kids getting candy from a U.S. soldier and he asked a group of Iraq kids: "Are Americans good or bad?" They answered "good" and one told Smith: "Sir, my name is Bush." An incredulous Smith asked: "Your name is Bush?" The kid affirmed: "Yes." Pointing at the youth, Smith chuckled: "He says his name is Bush." Smith added, however, that "the cost of these smiles has been steep. April was a particularly deadly month" with the Army unit losing eight men. Yet, Smith noted, the Colonel in charge "is convinced the sacrifice is not in vain."”

“LOL! - sounds like they succeeded in portraying two very different perspectives on the story.”

“by accident”