Bias in the Media: Mainstream Media Skews the News
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Most Americans get their news from ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and FNC. Others turn to newspapers like their local newspapers, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Unfortunately, most of these news sources are so biased they do not provide fair and balanced news that shows both sides of the story. This skewing of the news presents a skewed picture of the world and our nation to the American people and the world. People who think they are informed, aren't. It can be very frustrating trying to find the facts one needs to understand what is happening so that one may make an informed decision.
A recent example of media bias is a story printed in the Washington Post. The article, House Heats Up Over Bill to Give Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition writtenby the Annapolis Notebook and posted on March 28, 2007, shows how a simple use of descriptive words can change the meaning of a sentence and skew the entire article to shed a good light on the side the writer favors and shed a bad light on the side the writer detests. For example, the writer wrote, "Del. Patrick L. McDonough (R-Baltimore County) told his colleagues, "We are aiding and abetting people who are in this state illegally." His voice rose in anger." The important part of this example is "His voice rose in anger." This is how the Republican speaker was characterized. The second part of this example is where the writer wrote, "The comments infuriated many Democrats, who rose to speak for the bill. The most eloquent was Del. Melvin L. Stukes (D-Baltimore), who spoke with the fervor of a preacher." The important parts of this example are "eloquent" and "spoke with the fervor of a preacher". As you can see, both sides were impassioned in their speech. However, the writer wanted to depict one side as "angry" and one side as "eloquent". (Source: http://newsbusters.org/node/11682)
Another example of media bias and perhaps media lies is the coverage of the anti-war rally in Washington D.C. on March 17, 2007. A pro-troop, pro-America group called the Gathering of Eagles attended this rally to stand up for United States troops and to protect the national monuments from desecration. The mainstream media (MSM) reported on the anti-war groups but barely mentioned the pro-troop groups. The New York Times reported, in the article In March, Protesters Recall War Anniversaries by David D. Kirkpatrick and Sarah Abruzzese and posted on March 17, 2007, that the anti-war crowd "met what several veterans of the antiwar movement described as an unusually large contingent of several hundred counterdemonstrators" and "met another group of about 50 counterdemonstrators by the Arlington Cemetery". The Gathering of Eagles (www.gatheringofeagles.org) website reports quite differently. They report approximately 30,000 pro-troop supporters! You'll also note that though there are tons of quotes from the anti-war crowd, there aren't any from the pro-troop crowd. It is reporting like this that misinforms the public and creates a skewed view of the United States and all that is happening here. (Source: http://michellemalkin.com/archives/2007_03.htm)
There are literally hundreds of examples I could share, but I feel these two make my point without needing any more. The American people are tired of being lied to by the mainstream media. They are tired of only hearing one side of the issues facing this great nation. It is past time that we demand a better accounting from the mainstream media and if they won't listen, shut them down.
Published by Chaotic Ramblings
Proud, Patriotic American, Disabled USMC Veteran, Optimistic Realist, Mother of Three, Starving Artist, Freelance Writer, Amateur Seamstress, Promising Poet, Songstress, Journalist, Web Designer, Graphic Art... View profile
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29 Comments
Post a Comment"Unfortunately, the liberal media has more of the nation's ear than do conservatives" sounds awful biased to me. As I understand it, Republicans are considered conservative and since GWB has been in office I hear about the conservative Congress. GWB has used paid actors to give JQ Public the impression they were hearing actual news from physicans. The government pretty much controls main stream media so I do agree that an outlet like AC is a better way to get local news articles. I endeavor not to be biased in my "reporting" but suspect it does creep in to my writing.
Excellent article. I think the liberal MSM and its one-sided reporting is heavily influencing the er ... thought processes ... of those who get all of their information about the world from CNN. Why don't we ever hear about our troops' triumphs in Iraq? The MSM seems to enjoy reporting the problems instead.
Wow, stirred up some controversy didn't you? That's a good thing though. We need to hear both sides of the story even if we don't always want to or like it. It's important.
No Jeff, it wasn't.
Jamie, first, Air America is still here, and what scandal? Here in Portland, KPOJ, which features Air America prgramming, is the number one talk show. There are plenty of listeners..the only problem is large corporate money fuels the right talkers because the right talkers promote their agendas..so liberal stations have to get more of their support from the local business community...that's really not a bad thing, though, now is it..oh, and chaotic...was it when they dismissed Michael Savage that you parted ways with MSNBC?
A few years ago, all I watched were the MSM and MSNBC. I grew frustrated with them, however. They talked about Americans as if we were idiots and too stupid to think for ourselves. I grew more and more frustrated as they "spoke" for us, but didn't say what I thought. I found their "facts" to be asinine. I turned the channel and found the Fox News Channel. Finally, I could hear both sides of the story and decide for myself. That was a wonderful day. And now, I don't limit myself to just FNC, I read the papers, watch different news shows and read everything I can find on the internet to get the "real" story. Everyone should do that, because they are not getting "just the facts" from one news source.
Liberal radio doesn't work because no one listens, which means they can't sell advertising. Remember Air America? Remember the scandal?
Most media is corporate owned, and to one degree or another, acts accordingly. Which usually leads to a bias more to the right than the left. Of course, there are exceptions to everything. The problem is that so many do get it from one source, especially on the right. If all you watch is Fox or all you listen to is Hannity or Limbaugh, you are likely to have a skewered and hate-filled view of the world. And don't cry about a liberal bias. How many progressive talkers are there compared to conservatives? Why did every progressive station in Ohio get bought out or changed format, even though they were drawing huge numbers?
The Washington Post quotes you used were taken out of context. If you read the second half of the Republican's quote, he does indeed sound angry. It would be confusing to read this without some emotional context: "Welcome to Maryland. We are a sanctuary state. We will provide services to you. We will break the rule of law."
And for the quoted Democrat, well, he does sound preacher-ly, in my opinion. Should the writer have sought out an angry Dem for "emotional balance"?
For the most part, print media gets it right. Not always, but usually. TV news is where the real mess is.
Chaotic, I share your sentiments. My husband buys four different papers each day and it's a riot to see how each one handles the news.