It is certain that many people are interested in the news media and their coverage of the election, and more specifically the candidates. Both sides seem to want to argue that there is a bias for one thing or another. They want to claim agendas for determining what they cover, how they cover it, and how much air time theses issues receive.
James Rainey from the Los Angeles Times said this about these concerns of bias and agenda pushing.
Even though I agree with this outlook many people have taken the time to research the issues of media biases. One of which is the Center for Media and Public Affairs at
Other groups seem to find the opposite true. The conservative
Apparently Russian observers of the election have agreed with the later saying in a preliminary report that after observing ABC, NBC and CBS, Obama has a "hidden advantage."
I think bias and completely fair and balanced news coverage might be impossible to have, especially when as we have discussed in class observers will find what they are looking for.
Can biases be helpful to a journalist as long as they continue to responsibly cover the news?
One person who does not try to hide an obvious bias towards one side is Bill O'Reilly who recently used his biased commentary in order to secure himself a 4 year 40 million dollar contract.
So maybe in the end it seems to me like having an outrageous bias or opinion and being open with it is a great way to earn money while classical thoughts of an unbiased neutral media seem to be a sure fire way to being laid off or down sized.
For 10 million dollars a year what would you say on TV?
3 comments:
This is a toughy.... I can definitely say though, that the media has been WAY easier on Obama than McCain. McCain and Palin are constantly being scrutinized by the media. Obama's "57 states" comment, on the other hand, has hardly gotten any coverage at all, it seems. I don't think biases are a bad thing, but I think they should be minimized in political articles. After all, some people only get their information about candidtaes from the news, and if the news is biased, well then... that's how that person will view the candidates. With biases it's difficult to differentiate fact from opinion sometimes...
That's especially interesting (your statistics), because they come from Conservative sources, George Mason University included. I'm glad they didn't call Fox unbiased, though.
Based upon personal experience, however, I know that I am confronted with much more positive Obama press than McCain, but granted I do not read every newspaper and watch every news station. Still, however, I think there is something to be said, for example, about the cover of the New York Times this Wednesday which featured Obama with his leather jacked, the rain pouring down, his collar up, looking like the next James Bond, with McCain looking as white and frumpy as ever just beneath.
So true, Obama looked like a rockstar and McCain appeared as white as a sheet. Especially lately, Obama has been portrayed as quite the celebrity in the media. It's a little weird but I'm not sure how much they are doing it on purpose. I mean, McCain's an old white guy any way you slice it.
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