Liberal Media Bias???

[VinnyVegas]

I've been watching a lot of FOX News shows lately, and all I hear them talk about is the "liberal media". The commentators blame everything on the "liberal media" without an ounce of proof that it exists. It seems to me that the "liberal media" are those who disagree with FOX News' agenda. I was wondering if you know of any studies that prove/disprove the existence of a "liberal media".

I'm talking about a real in-depth study that spans several news organizations, not some op-ed piece that points out a couple of occurrences of bias. I'm just curious to see if any studies exist, because I haven't been able to find any.

[TheOtherAndrew]

"For heaven sakes, we kid about the liberal media, but every Republican on earth does that."
-Pat Buchanan

[splitsecond]

I've been watching a lot of FOX News shows lately, and all I hear them talk about is the "liberal media". The commentators blame everything on the "liberal media" without an ounce of proof that it exists. It seems to me that the "liberal media" are those who disagree with FOX News' agenda. I was wondering if you know of any studies that prove/disprove the existence of a "liberal media".

I'm talking about a real in-depth study that spans several news organizations, not some op-ed piece that points out a couple of occurrences of bias. I'm just curious to see if any studies exist, because I haven't been able to find any.

There are studies, but they're all biased.

[TheOtherAndrew]

There are studies, but they're all biased.
All studies are biased. Period. There's nothing special about political studies.

[VinnyVegas]

There are studies, but they're all biased.
That's what I figured, but I was hopefull that maybe one semi-unbiased study existed.

[odnetnin]

The media will always be bias. After all, there is no 'me' in team', but there certainly is an 'I' and 'me' in 'media'.

[commatosa]

it's funny that FOX news says that about every other media source like they're the ones who give you the truth. Actually, they're absolutely right. Compared to FOX news, everyone is a liberal. They're like the AM radio show that's completely whacked out of their mind with ridiculous conservatism, but the only difference is that they're broadcast to everyone.

[lovely864md]

not really an in-depth study, but according to my Social Studies teacher, about 80% of the media is against Bush.

[abandnamedjon]

not really an in-depth study, but according to my Social Studies teacher, about 80% of the media is against Bush.

I really can't see that being possible. I dont know I may be wrong but the country is so convservative at this point that I can't really see much opposition to Bush.

[futurebreed]

I really can't see that being possible. I dont know I may be wrong but the country is so convservative at this point that I can't really see much opposition to Bush.

I know at least that a lot of newspapers and online media outlets are anti-Bush. It just so happens that Fox rules the world and the living room.

[I am all talk]

I know he is not everyone's favorite, but Al Franken wrote a chapter or two on the "liberal media" in his book Lies. I'm not saying that I accept everything he says there but he brings up a few examples that could begin to put the liberal media "myth" to rest.

[Carlo Marx]

There are studies, but they're all biased.

correct.

all media is biased.

[Cal Smith]

there was a study out awhile back..............as soon as i remeber who did it i'll find it. It was some foundation I believe it might have been the PEW foundation

[Cal Smith]

Here's an article about the PEW findings (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/040607/7john.htm)

[I am all talk]

Here's an article about the PEW findings (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/040607/7john.htm)
that article on it's own is pretty biased.

[Cal Smith]

that article on it's own is pretty biased.

very well might be, but the article is not what the point is. it's talking about the reasearch done by the PEW institute.

[I am all talk]

very well might be, but the article is not what the point is. it's talking about the reasearch done by the PEW institute.
true.

But back to liberal media....
Personally I don't see it nearly as much as it is said to be there. That could possibly be because I have more liberal beliefs so they don't stand out to me as much as those of the quintessential right wing news org., Fox News does.

While I am not trying to stand up for Al Franken or claim that he knows all, his book "Lies" brings up interesting points about the "liberal media" like this one about the 2000 election...

Tone of Coverage for Gore & Bush
Gore Bush
positive 13% 24%
neutral 31% 27%
negative 56% 49%

according to his book that is from Pew also.

he also brings up some of the main coverage (or lack of) for each canidate.
The main one for Gore is that he "invented the internet"
And Bush's lack of coverage was about cocaine, draft dodging, and drunk driving, etc.

Take it for what you will...

[A picasso blue]

very well might be, but the article is not what the point is. it's talking about the reasearch done by the PEW institute.
how can you trust their findings when theyre obviously trying to find a specific point?

[VinnyVegas]

Well, after doing some research I have come to the conclusion that there have been no serious studies. I found a couple of sites with information, but they were seriously slanted to either the left or the right. I guess it's difficult to quantify something as abstract as bias. The term is pretty much relative to the person using it.

I did however come to the conclusion that much of what we consider "news" is not actually news; it is commentary. Almost all of Fox News and CNN (minus Headline News) is not news at all. These programs are not held to the same laws as other real news networks and shows. They can say whatever they want (slanted left or right) and get away with it because they are not actually news shows. That's why they can make off-the-cuff comments about conservative and liberal bias without any proof. These networks that carry nothing but commentary are propaganda mills for their respective party affiliations.

I think that they should append the term "commentary" to the end of their network names, as it would be less misleading.



Both links take you to the same place:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_bias
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_bias

[Cal Smith]

how can you trust their findings when theyre obviously trying to find a specific point?

PEW is a pretty well respected research foundation. You don't have to trust them if you don't want to, and you dont have to put 100% of your stock behind one study, but it is a major study done by a well credited group.

[Cal Smith]

Well, after doing some research I have come to the conclusion that there have been no serious studies. I found a couple of sites with information, but they were seriously slanted to either the left or the right. I guess it's difficult to quantify something as abstract as bias. The term is pretty much relative to the person using it.

I did however come to the conclusion that much of what we consider "news" is not actually news; it is commentary. Almost all of Fox News and CNN (minus Headline News) is not news at all. These programs are not held to the same laws as other real news networks and shows. They can say whatever they want (slanted left or right) and get away with it because they are not actually news shows. That's why they can make off-the-cuff comments about conservative and liberal bias without any proof. These networks that carry nothing but commentary are propaganda mills for their respective party affiliations.

I think that they should append the term "commentary" to the end of their network names, as it would be less misleading.



Both links take you to the same place:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_bias
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_bias

did you find the pew research study done?

[YouMadeTheScene]

Isn't it really kind of interesting, and maybe it is some deep brain activity, that when someone lets say is right wing, they always have something to prove the opposite no matter what it is visa versa. I mean no matter what it is, there will be an argument against the left or right coming from the opposite. It really is just crazy. I mean Bush could eat a jewish baby (copyright david cross) and right wings would have some kind of lame excuse. And it goes for liberals too. And forget about it in terms of research. No matter what someone will have some facts against each other. I think this goes for the media and the everyday person.

[I am all talk]

Isn't it really kind of interesting, and maybe it is some deep brain activity, that when someone lets say is right wing, they always have something to prove the opposite no matter what it is visa versa. I mean no matter what it is, there will be an argument against the left or right coming from the opposite. It really is just crazy. I mean Bush could eat a jewish baby (copyright david cross) and right wings would have some kind of lame excuse. And it goes for liberals too. And forget about it in terms of research. No matter what someone will have some facts against each other. I think this goes for the media and the everyday person.
I have absolutely no fuckin idea what you are talking about.

[oeness]

I heard this somewhere: "The media is as liberal as the conservative corporations that run it."

[Paul Tao]

My thoughts on the topic: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=72245

The two quotes at the top are funny.

[I am all talk]

My thoughts on the topic: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=72245

The two quotes at the top are funny.
thanks for stealing my chart, bitch.

[idowhatiamtold]

all that has been happeining lately is a lot of friggin blaming... nothing to take credit for.

[justinevans]

The Media is not just the news. Look at how music is liberal along with movies involving global warming and all that other crap. The news is also biased. Fox was smart though their broadcasters and staff are morons. Why compete with other "liberal" stations for ratings when they can have all of the conservative viewers watch their station? And then liberals watch Fox just to laugh at how stupid they are. It is all just a marketing ploy. A large part of the media is owned by Jews and most Jews are considered to be Democrats.

Also, just watch 60 minutes. They are extremely biased. Sometimes leading to false information just to tell a story.

The only true station anymore is ESPN haha. No Politics involved.

[VinnyVegas]

did you find the pew research study done?

I couldn't find the exact study, and I'm not sure that a study would even help me at this point. I often have trouble taking a stance on social and political issues because I have strong background in Sociology. I can easily apply sociological theory to a situation and come to a logical conclusion. However, logical conclusions aren't always correct.

I heard this somewhere: "The media is as liberal as the conservative corporations that run it."

This statement sums up my view on the subject from a sociological perspective (conflict theory to be specfic).


My thoughts on the topic: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=72245

The two quotes at the top are funny.

As always, a good article with a lot of valid points. I like the quote at the bottom from The Weekly Standard's, Matt Labash.

[Justin_stacy]

how can you trust their findings when theyre obviously trying to find a specific point?

Likewise, how can you trust, and not at least be very suspicious of, a media that is obviously trying to push a specific agenda?