Embarrassing pro-Obama Media bias exposed!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

at least Eric had entertaining value.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

That's my point, 'unbiased' is an illusion. Better to know the bias, hear both sides, and make up your own mind.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There's straight news and there's editorial news (Lou Dobbs, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Hannity and Colmes)...and there's infotainment (O'Reilly, Keith Olberman).

It's the editorial and infotainment versions of news that have eclipsed traditional news journalism, and based on viewership - it's what viewers seem to like. Editorial journalists like Lou Dobbs and Chris Matthews, like to think they are being objective, yet they also like the freer format of being editorial news so they inject they're own personal views about the subject....and they aren't the only ones who do it. Newspaper editorial pages have done the same, long before cable news networks even existed. It's just that nowadays, we have more access to editorial journalism with cable and the internet, than we have ever before in history. People have to sort it out for themselves just as before, and not rely on a limited source to form an opinion.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I agree.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well I grew up watching the BBC. Supposedly a bastion of straight news. I often heard things that seemed very far from objective, and were a contradiction of the 'straight news' on Irish TV. I remain sceptical that there is any such thing as objective news. Just a slightly more subtle skew.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yes if you listen to what reporters say then you may hear where they are coming from and know what kind of agenda they are having. It's the same with the person being interviewed. One has to take into context who that person is and what their agenda is. Also the agenda of the networks.

[Sister Fracas 5]

of course ... this thread is different

why should the poster comment multitude of .... Palin/ McCain/ Illegal (brown people)/ pro-gun control/ "I didn't get my stimulus check for my new K-1 visa"/ how deep do you wipe/ free cookie/ etc. threads

there are FREE COOKIES!!??!!

[Peikko 1,575]

Where?

[Sister Fracas 5]

Where?

I think Natty is hiding them...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Well I grew up watching the BBC. Supposedly a bastion of straight news. I often heard things that seemed very far from objective, and were a contradiction of the 'straight news' on Irish TV. I remain sceptical that there is any such thing as objective news. Just a slightly more subtle skew.

Well the difference is really intent. With straight news journalism, the intent is to provide facts as objectively as possible, being aware or sensitive to subjective words and phrases. Editorial news is not trying to remain neutral. The journalist has a specific angle they wish to present, even if they include opposing viewpoints and opinion, it is their opinion that they want to persuade you with.

Given that, I don't think it's bad as long both the journalist and viewer is aware of that. It seems to me that journalists like Bill O'Reilly thinks he's just giving the facts and very much wants his audience to believe that's what he is doing. So there's a level of denial and delusional there that troubles me, particularly when many people rely on O'Reilly as one of a handful of sources they get their news from. And when they deliberately close themselves off from other sources that oppose such viewpoints, they've turned such editorial journalism into a virtual propaganda machine. The ultimate responsibility needs to fall with the viewers - they need to wise up and apply critical thinking rather than accept one person's POV.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Bumped for LaL's request.

"It takes a lot of courage to be boring" - MacNeil from the "The News Hour" originally MacNeil-Leher Report.

Their formula: Low key, even-handed, inclusive of many perspectives.

[Peikko 1,575]

When you say 'boring' you mean really, longer, well constructed journalist pieces that rely on the viewer having an attention span longer than a gnat? Sadly, sound bite journalism appeals to mass audiences, precisely because they are perceived to be attention deficit and require their news to be spoon fed and made 'exciting'. Bah, humbut!

To be honest, I don't altogether believe that is true either - but I guess it also plays into the hands of the advertising schedules.

Heheheh, humbut!

Edited October 24, 2008 by Madame Cleo

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Uh I didn't say it. That's a direct quote from MacNeil. LOL

[symbiosis 0]

It used to be considered a bad thing when journalism was "biased" or "slanted". Now it is common place and shows just how lazy journalists have become and a complete lack of profesionalism on their part.

Thank you for that, FOX NEWS, RUSH LIMBAUGH, ANN COULTER, BILL O'REILLY, LAURA INGRAHAM, SEAN HANNITY, NIEL CAVUTO, BRIT HUME ...

yeah, it's all a big left wing conspiracy, ain't it?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Bumped for LaL's request.

"It takes a lot of courage to be boring" - MacNeil from the "The News Hour" originally MacNeil-Leher Report.

Their formula: Low key, even-handed, inclusive of many perspectives.