So let me get this straight?

Question

The conservative claim that the media is liberally biased comes from the personal political leanings of the people reporting the news, and not from their reports themselves?

I didn't realize until yesterday that people were basing the media's so-called "political bias" on the fact that leading anchorpeople or owners of news outlets donate money to particular political campaigns, and not on what is said while the news is being reported.

That said, does that mean that you guys think that people involved in the media aren't entitled to the same rights as everyone else?

And are you, personally, able to keep your politics out of your workplace?

I am.

Answer 1

I recently read an article, purporting to "prove" Liberal bias in the news, that detailed the number of writers, journalists, columnists, etc .who were either Democrats or 'Liberals" (when asked to reveal their personal attitudes, beliefs, political party, etc.) When I read that, I had to laugh, because as a journalism student (years ago...) the FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT thing I learned was that opinions belong on the editorial page; news just IS! And the reporting of news is to give the "who, what, where and when"--period!

Answer 2

I suggest you read the book "Bias" by Bernard Goldberg. It is an eye opener about how the media distorts the news. It is primarily centered around CBS but you can see it in other television news programs.
CNN is probably the most bias of the television news programs with CBS coming up as a close runner up.
There are two prevalent forms of bias in the media, Gatekeeping and Framing. For instance, spending time on trivial matters rather than important matters is Gatekeeping, the media source decides what you get to know. The other is Framing, the best illustration of Framing is Lou Dobbs on CNN. His programs like "the war on the middle class" or "broken borders" he and CNN frame the story without even offering a story. The information counter to their version of the facts is left out (subtle gatekeeping) and the viewer is left with one conclusion that is skewed in favor of the opinion presented.
After I retired from the Army I went to a university to get the credentials to become a broadcast journalist, by the time I graduated, I found the profession in it's current state to be absolutely disgusting.
If you are getting your opinions from television news, you don't know what is really going on, except for the weather and sports.

Answer 3

Yes, I can keep politics out of work. But I can also pick exactly what I want to say, too.

With that said, some may perceive that as a bias toward others.

Think of it like this, someone asks my version of the story. I explain it to them, but I use certain dictation, tone and delivery. That can be misconstrued by some to think I have a bias in what I'm saying when I personally know I don't,

Edit; to the poster below me. You cited a source for its known left leaning slant. Good one!

Answer 4

What makes me really laugh about this is the implied notion that anchors and reporters get to decide what goes on the air.

Those decisions are made far higher up the ownership chain, and the political persuasion of those owners is quite different.

Answer 5

It would be better if they admitted their bias, in that way the public would be informed and this debate would not be taking place. As it is, they deny their liberal bias and tell people they are reporting fairly. They really do report consistently on a liberal basis and viewpoint. At Least Limbaugh and Hannity are honest about it.

Answer 6

News is supposed to based on facts, not opinion. The media should not be pushing THEIR political agenda on anybody.

Answer 7

Great question.

Of course, the conservative misinformation that is spewed every day by the American mainstream media is well-documented in objective terms by the non-profit organization Media Matters for America.

Answer 8

Anyone that does not agree 110% with Bush is considered to be liberally biased. The neo-bias meter is not balanced. It's skewed hard right.

Answer 9

I must admit that yes, I don't believe that people reporting the news have the same flexibility to inject their bias as everyone else.
I believe that, as you stated, they should keep their own politics out of their workplace. The news broadcasts should not be an opinion editorial - there's already enough of those in the media - it should simple present the facts.

Answer 10

They are supposed to report UN BIASED and they do not. They let their views be known on all the reports.

Look at good ole dan blather, They told him they could not prove the papers work on GW was true. And what did the A*SS do???? Reported it as true.

Now where is that blow hard????? And he deserved that