why do conservatives always claim of a liberal media, but give no example?

Question

are they just listening to the right wing rhetoric spiled by limbaugh, hannity, and o'reily.

how are they liberal, name why they are liberal naming stations doesnt prove anything.

anybody can name stations-name the hosts and why? or owner? like i did with fox news before on here.

so one dan rather story makes an entire media biased, give me a break, bush got a pass when he invaded iraq.

so one dan rather story makes an entire media biased, give me a break, bush got a pass when he invaded iraq.

Answer 1

The idea that the mainstream media have a "liberal bias" has long been conventional wisdom. At various times, public figures from Richard Nixon to Newt Gingrich have all taken refuge in the claim that the "liberal" media were out to get them. A legion of conservative talk show hosts, pundits and media-watch groups pound away at the idea that the media exhibit an inherently "liberal" tilt. But the assertion is based on remarkably little evidence and is repeatedly made in the face of contradictory facts.

In particular, the conservative critique of the news media rests on two general propositions: (1) journalists' views are to the left of the public, and (2) journalists frame news content in a way that accentuates these left perspectives. Researchers and analysts have discovered persuasive evidence against the latter claim. Content analyses of the news media have, at a minimum, shown the absence of any such systematic liberal/left tilt; some studies have found a remarkably predictable press usually reflecting the narrow range of views of those in positions of power, as well as a spectrum of expert opinion that tilts toward the right.

But even some progressives have been willing to cede to conservatives the first point: that journalists' views are to the left of the public. Professionals in general, they observe, often have "liberal" leanings on social issues and there is no reason to expect journalists to be any different. However, they have also argued convincingly that the norms of "objective journalism" and the powerful corporate interests which own and sponsor the news media ensure that news content never strays too far, for too long, from protecting the status quo. You don't understand the corporate ideology of General Motors by studying the personal beliefs of the assembly-line workers, the argument goes. Ideological orientation is introduced and enforced by those high in the organizational hierarchy who have the power to hire and fire, to reward and punish. Working journalists, despite their sometimes high visibility, usually do not call the shots in the nation's media corporations. (The documentary "Fear and Favor in the Newsroom" provides vivid illustrations of this situation.) Consequently, the private views of individual journalists often matter little.

Such an analysis of organizational dynamics is fundamental to understanding the news process. It, indeed, is a crucial argument that kicks the legs out from the conservative critique and gets at the more fundamental structural elements that set the news agenda. Still, this approach begs the question: are journalists really to the left of the public? This element of the conservative critique has not been adequately addressed; it's one reason why the "liberal media" charge gets repeated without serious scrutiny.

Answer 2

All you have to do is observe the media and you'll see the bias. But if you want exampls, I'll give you a couple:

Some Democrat Congressman recently insulted Indians (people from India), and the media gave him a complete pass on it. Trent Lott said Sen. Thurman would have been a good president. They somehow interpret that as racist, and spend every waking second bashing him, until he quit as majority leader. You call that fair treatment?

In the current situation with Israel: civilians on both sides are getting killed. Even though Hezbollah started the current problems, the media focuses on the Lebanon civilians killed by Israel. They may mention, in a very off handed manner, that Israeli civilians were killed, but all the picutes and footage are of the Lebanon civilians. The media does the same thing with the Palestinians.

In every instance, they always make Republicans, the administration, and our allies look bad, and completely give a pass to Democrats and terrorists.

Answer 3

Conservatives have shifted too much to right extremism during Bush years, and soon they will blame that weather and outer space is too liberal for them (because does not fit too well into their mythology).

Mass media are forced to be biased in favor of conservative views. Just one simple example: it was impossible to see a critique of Bush aggression into Iraq when the rest of the world media provided less biased picture.

Unfortunately, media does a good deal of brainwashing by pouring tons of stupid pop culture and religion on heads of our citizen, fairly well isolated from the rest of the world. Knowledge is not favored; myths are. No wonder the citizen then elect a son of a president without a clue.

P.S. As for the educated and thinking people working in media - well, I am sure most cannot stand totalitarian and religious fundamentalism, and so they cannot like Bush and extremist wing of cons. Same we can say about scientists: Educated people with ability to think are mostly liberal, progressive and cannot be neutral in face of right wing extremists.

Answer 4

Okay...I'll bite......
Liberals "say" we are killing thousands of Iraqis? Where in the press is that being shown? No where, because its not true.

We all know of many soldiers that are coming back and stating we are doing good things there. Schools, voting, water...the list is endless. Does that get reported?

The list endless,

And I have a question for you as a liberal, give the conservatives some of your ideas as to what you would have done.

Liberals simply put are Zealots.....they jump from one "cause" to the next. And it will be the same in the next election and Presidential term. The democrats cannot find even a worthy candidate.

And answer this for me....

Howard Dean was supposed to be the second coming? He was popular all over the world. And yet he didn't win or place even second in any caucus? (Iowa?, New Hampshire?) If I were you, I'd get the rest of your zealot buddies and figure out what happen there!

Answer 5

CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC. Need more examples?

Do you watch any of the news on these stations. It is obvious to anybody with an education above 3rd grade. You asked for examples of liberal medai so I gave them to you. Watch the news tonight and see if they aren't telling you the bad side to every issue in today's society. Then go talk to people that have actually been to Iraq and listen to all the good that is being done there. Then talk to an expert that teaches of the cycles the weather goes though over centuries not global warming. You never hear of this on tv. The Radio is more conservative then TV. I will give you that.

Disney does own ABC but they are NOT conservative!

Answer 6

David, I have given you several examples in the past. I have seen you ask several viable questions, which leads me to believe you have a pretty good head on your shoulders: however, you seem a bit brain washed as the liberal media ADMITS to slanting to the left. The only thing they disagree about is the degree.

Read the link-Now that you have proof will you change your views? Or will you blindly disregard?

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/elder062305.asp



David-you say you want an example-the most blaring one comes up, CBS and you discount it. Here is another...Media reports place blame on Bush's Iraq policy (ie he is the one to blame) yet gives Kerry a free pass even though he voted to go to war too. It not as blatent as you think. It is running certain stores at different times (pages) to get desired effect. Get a News paper tomorrow and look at the stories....Do I really need to teach you how to think for yourself???????

Deejay_ Disney is an ultra liberal organization...LOOK IT UP

Answer 7

There are many, many sources. I listed three below. If you listen to the news, honestly, you could see for yourself. I have listened to Laura Ingram, Mike Medvid, and many other conservative talk show host and can tell that they are Conservative, but they host opinion talk shows. Listen to the news and the "reporters" are as biased as Laura, Mike, and O'Reily, but they call it news. Let's be honest the news has actually become opinion. This was proved when they broadcast the Bush reserve story knowing it was FAKE. It was so fake some guy could see the docs were forgeries and he was just an average guy.


http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/11/5/04615.shtml
http://www.journalism.org/resources/research/reports/100days/default.asp
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050314-102933-3162r.htm

Answer 8

example Dan Rather used a forged letter on CBS News tonight to prove Bush did not attend Air Force Reserve training during the Presidential campaign. Even after experts proved it was forged because it was made with a computer, not a 1960's typewriter, he still insisted the President was AWOL. Oh, but CBS is fair to Republicans.

Answer 9

Because all the major news companies are own by Big Business Republicans like Disney and General Electric and Rupert Murdock. How can you be a liberal news station if the right wing owns it. LOOK IT UP!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Lets see...last election. Swiftboat veterans smear John Kerry and every news media is out digging up info to refute their claims.

CBS magically gets letters claiming Bush was disciplined for not serving and it gets broadcast like fact before finally someone looks closer and goes wait!!! These are fake. Not one media source thought once of verifying the documents.

How about this...did you hear this in the news?

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkjCVJcFELbgAiUBXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3bTlnNTllBGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDNQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANGNjU0XzExNg--/SIG=13j0jhdkt/EXP=1153595157/**http%3a//ussenterprise.blogdns.net/rants/PermaLink,guid,77997a1a-818c-40b1-85ac-1cb6c1da3a61.aspx

Need any more examples. Yup we give some and you refuse to see it.....typical. Why don't you name which Democratic congressmen have charges pending against them....does the media cover that...nope....only the republicans get the spotlight.