Just How Biased Is the Media?
There are constant accusations, from both sides of the aisle, of media bias. But just how bad is it really? What do you think?
There has been accusations of media bias as far back as when mass media began in its earliest forms. According to Wikipedia.org, in the United States there were accusations of media bias back in the 1700s. In 1798, Congress is reported to have outlawed any outright criticism of the government, but that was reversed in 1801.
However, it appears that now at least the perception of media bias has reached a point that it has damaged media credibility more than at any time in the past.
In 2011, Gallup Polls indicated that most Americans do not have confidence in mass media and its ability to report the news fairly. A 60 percent majority reported bias, with 47 percent saying the slant was liberal and 13 percent saying it was conservative. Only about 36 percent of the public indicated that they believed the media reported the news fairly. According to Gallup, since 2002 more Americans think the bias is liberal than conservative.
Do you personally trust the media to give you the news without any bias, either liberal or conservative? What bias do you perceived in the news reporting you see - either liberal or conservative?
John Ford
10:04 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012
This is a joke, right? The media is slanted toward profit. They project the message that pays and they pander to their audience. Right now "conservatism" sells. Next week it may change.
Patricia S
11:16 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012
I agree that the news is all about entertainment, profit, and sponsors. Intelligent people will listen to a variety of sources, do their own research, think about the issues, and make informed decisions. I watch C-Span (excellent interviews not marketable on network television), "The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report," CNN, and network news programs like "Face The Nation." Nothing I hear changes my basic beliefs, but I do cringe a lot. I never watched "Jersey Shore," and don't appreciate "reality television" presented as legitimate news.
Cheryl Brownstein
11:57 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012
The media is owned by about 6 companies. That's all. They pander to profit only. The media has helped push the country into more and more extremist positions because that's who they publicize on TV, on radio and in the national newspapers because it increases profits. When was the last time you heard about a centrist Congressman who was willing to work on compromise that would benefit the country as a whole, not just their party? There are a few of them out there, but they don't get publicized.
Tammy Osier
6:27 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Here's a video from pat caddell. he's a liberal and HE'S blasting the media for covering for the president on the Benghazi thing. http://www.caintv.com/VIDEOPatCaddellsblisteringemot-649
Brian Crawford
7:44 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Caddell's no liberal, he's a paid FOX contributor who left the Democratic party years ago. This is a perfect example of media bias, parading Caddell as some kind of dissenting voice when nothing could be further from the truth. FOX is the absolute worst at this kind of garbage journalism.
Rex Smithers
7:58 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
George Zimmerman isn't suing Fox News for doctoring his 911 call.
"B"
11:28 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Tammy - I couldn't agree more with you. If Fox could uncover the actual facts of what happened in Benghazi in less than 24 hours (it was never about a video); then one has to conclude we have a very liberal bias media who will do whatever is necessary to promote their liberal cause of getting Obama re-elected - lies/coverups, etc. I refuse to even acknowledge people like Brian Crawford who is part of this liberal media mentality.
Watts
6:46 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
@Brian
Conservatives will never let the facts get in the way of a good spin.
Wanda Rice
8:20 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Brian, you should include MSNBC in the garbage journalism business. To insinuate that FoxNews is the only news outlet that slants their media towards a target audience is insane. When I want to know what is going on in the extreme right or left, I visit Fox & MSNBC respectively...then I go throw up because it is disgusting the way both outlets portray themselves as objective journalists.
Objective journalism died when the huge companies came along and started buying up the news outlets and larger circulating newspaper companies. I hold little to no respect for any journalist these days because it's only about the amount of advertisements that they can bring in for these news corporations.
Everybody has a slant. The problem is the slant in media has become so extreme the news outlets have alienated huge portions of demographics to satisfy their own egos.
Brian Crawford
10:34 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I didn't say FOX was the only outlet that shows bias, but they are by far the worst. The difference between FOX and the rest is that FOX has abandoned all pretext of impartiality and has divorced themselves from reality often making stuff up and creating news where there is none. There is no separation between news and opinion at FOX. They have become a 24/7 political ad for the Republican party.
Yes, MSNBC has a decidedly liberal slant in their opinion programming but their news shows are much more balanced. And there are some bright spots there. Chris Hayes weekend show UP is the best political talk on TV and Maddow's reporting is always solid.
Ryan Smith
11:57 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Wanda:
What's even worse than the political slant of some outlets is the devotion to "narrative" over facts at others. At least with Fox News and MSNBC, you know you're getting right-leaning or left-leaning reporting and can consider its value accordingly. Too many news outlets now don't necessarily have a political bias, but skew their reporting to fit the narrative they think is most interesting. Case in point: The "Al Gore is a serial exaggerator" meme from the 2000 election. News outlets reported that Gore had said things that he provably did not say, and twisted or misquoted things he did, to make it seem like he regularly exaggerated or fabricated things to make himself look better. Was that true? Not in the least. But the media thought it was a good narrative, so they went with it. Without taking a position on whether Gore would have been a good president, it is entirely possible that the media's emphasis on narrative over substance cost him the election.
Denna Millard
8:33 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Biased is not the word! MONEY IS THE DEMON/DEVIL IN THIS ELECTION. This election is being BOUGHT and not by the general american people votes but by BIG BUSINESSES, GREEDY POLITICIANS. What happened to the voting rights of the american people?
Rex Smithers
11:34 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
You mean like Bill jackass Maher giving Obama a million dollars? Then he accuses Obama of spending it on weed when Obama shows his true idiot identity.
Tammy Osier
8:07 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Got to disagree with you there Brian. Caddell gives a liberal perspective having been one. many times he is on the side of disagreement with the conservatives. Same with Juan Williams- I hear him argue the liberal point constantly. But these guys respect each other and each others opinions. Doesn't surprise me that a conservative and liberal could get along when both agree to disagree. I watch liberal slanting news and the bias is almost to the point of making things up and there's no one to offer another viewpoint. So, who's more fair and balanced? I admit as someone said, of course you can tell which way they lean on both sides. But at least those associated with FoX can at least get both sides in order to make an educated decision. When i listen, I know what's bs and what's not. But for the most part, I get a good thorough conversation which is what I'm looking for.
Tammy Osier
8:10 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Rex said:
George Zimmerman isn't suing Fox News for doctoring his 911 call.
You can kind of rest your case on that one.