LIBERAL MEDIA?: Researchers aim to put more rigor into studies of media bias.
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Editor's Note: This story will be published in the November 2008 issue of Scientific American.
Nothing ratchets up the perennial debate over media bias like a presidential election. But as Tim Groeling, a political scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, observes, public discussions about media bias are often just “food fights,” with pundits and partisans throwing around anecdotes.
Groeling is hoping to advance scientific (and public) knowledge beyond this mush with research he used to demonstrate selection bias in television networks’ decision to run or withhold the results of presidential approval polls. For an article appearing in Presidential Studies Quarterly this December, Groeling designed a method to deal with a problem that often besets research on the media: people can identify all the news that journalists saw fit to print, but it’s more difficult to determine what they chose to ignore.
To counter the problem of the “unobserved population,” Groeling collected two different data sets: in-house presidential approval polling by ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX News and the networks’ broadcasts of such polls on evening news shows from January 1997 to February 2008. Groeling found that, with varying degrees of statistical significance, CBS, NBC and ABC showed what Groeling calls a pro-Democrat bias. For instance, CBS was 35 percent less likely to report a five-point drop in approval for Bill Clinton than a similar rise in approval and was 33 percent more likely to report a five-point drop than a rise for George W. Bush. Meanwhile FOX News showed a statistically significant pro-Republican bias in the most controlled of the three models Groeling tested: its Special Report program was 67 percent less likely to report a rise in approval for Clinton than a decrease and 36 percent more likely to report the increase rather than the decrease for Bush.
Groeling’s work is one of the few studies to quantify partisan bias in the media, a subject notoriously difficult for social scientists to research and discuss. These scientists work with theories such as the socalled hostile media effect to predict that ardent supporters of a cause will view media as slanted for the other side, and they have conducted hundreds of studies that have revealed imbalances in the ways journalists frame news on topics ranging from AIDS to the war in Iraq. But there is not a cohesive literature on media bias. Maxwell McCombs of the University of Texas at Austin, who pioneered agenda-setting theory, one of the leading paradigms on news media, says that a researcher would need a few years to make sense of existing data and develop an approach to study media bias. Like many scholars, McCombs sees “bias” as a loaded term, preferring to speak of journalists’ “predilections.”
“Scholars hate the word ‘bias’ because they feel like they’re entering the ideological fray,” says S. Robert Lichter, head of the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) at George Mason University, who prefers the term “tone.” Despite his efforts, Lichter himself got sucked into that fray. His content analysis of the transcripts of TV news broadcasts at the statement level is a respected and widely adopted methodology. This past summer, just as the view that journalists were going softer on Barack Obama than on John McCain was becoming widely accepted, CMPA issued a report showing that 72 percent of the statements in TV news reports about Obama in late spring and early summer were negative, whereas 57 percent of the statements about McCain were negative. When Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly attacked Lichter’s method during a radio interview, saying it would embolden liberal bias, Lichter responded, “You can take all my studies or none of my studies”—an allusion to past uses of his work to support conservative views.
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40 Comments
Add CommentWhy the USA nation has so many much more valuable smart men to be a leader and why only these two folks hang around in the nation with intention to become a leader? These both folks do not valuable qualifications to be a right man for the job at all!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis terrible problem caused by the both democartic and republic parties to pull out the not suitable folks for the important job in the 2008! Several times in the past these both parties did the wrong works as proven!
2008 is the chaotic year due to a leader won't be the person that the nation does look for!!!!!!
I strongly believe that Americans must wisely to select a right leader! make a mistake will make the nation runs into "reversed" with the world!
where di you come from. I you live here you would make a very differnt stamenet. Bias is the great elephant in the clost . Where if you are blindfolded and you work for FOX NBC CBS ABC or CNN . Would you know or understnad it is a elephant of a donkey. Bias exists no matter party of or afflication. My biggest problem is scoring in polls and selling our core constituancies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy bias is for Obama but this is based on life experences upbring and education and current econmic situation.
I am glad to see some research about something that I long suspected.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA simple question to all folks in the USA:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy the USA nation which always has so many and much more valuable smart men to be a leader or president of the nation in the 2008! and why only these two folks hang around in the nation with intention to become a leader? These both folks do not have valuable and proven qualifications and experience and intelligence to be a right man for the job at all! If you don't believe it then the coming future will show you as told now!
This terrible problem that has rooted or caused by the both democratic and republic parties as to pull out from their pockets the non suitable folks for the important job in the year 2008! And for fact, several times in the past these both parties have done the wrong works or sloppy works as proven and seen by all people of the nation!
For sure, the year 2008 is sadly the chaotic year! due to a leader won't be able to a person that the entire nation has looked for!!!!!!
I wish to say that I strongly believe that all Americans must always and wisely to select a right man or right leader for the job at a reasonable decision! This is due to making a mistake will make the nation runs into "reversed" mode with the world! and the sadness will hover in the air for at least 4 lenghty years!
In summary, make a right decision is the right thing to do! Unfortunately, presently, none of the 2 folks should be chosen and what can you do now???? look for a third one? if it is true then where he is now?
Thanks to all!
Amerians are savey people and know what they (the electorate is doing) will vote. Borrowing a phrase from my pastor; yes ; pastor. I love science but I love my christianty.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"People are baloney detectors" The electronate serves this purpose. We americans are baloney detectors.
America is built on balance of power no one party gains power but at the same time balances maxium amout of freedoms with the greatest amout of responsibilty. ( yes resonsibilty) . That is out moded concept in this great republic. Personal responsibilty and civic duty is part of america. Guess what Americans do get involved and have a perfound influence on our represetives. They (candites ) are our clay . That is why they are so warped.
In other countries a ruling junta, dictator, committee , olgarcy etc makes choices for its people untill the local inhabtents have enough and are disposed of. In American we either continue or disposce of bad ideas (polticians) and bad polices every 4 years . Now is the time to take out the trash. The way this is often brought about in a non biased way this article addesses and shows you can't make a omleate with out breakingf a few eggs.
Bias is part of the human experence . We can't escape it.
Let's face it, "we the people" are being manipulated by propaganda, both before and after elections. I worked in D.C. for many years, it's obvious the CIA is "playing at," politics. Jimmy Carter lost his second term because the CIA intervened. William Casey, George H.W. Bush and the now Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates intervened with the IRANIANS as republicans during the IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS. The fact that they can all be linked with IRAN CONTRA FELONY charges is interesting as well. 6 of the PARDONED FELONS that were involved in the IRAN CONTRA drugs for thugs campaign also serve in the current white house. Robert M. Gates is a pardoned felon. IF you search on Paris, October Surprise, Carter, Russian....you should be able to verify "my claim," that the current secretary of defense committed treason and used the CIA as a republican party tool...as did, George H.W. Bush, the father of the current president by electoral fraud... IF you search on Webb, Parry, Iran Contra, drugs, cocaine....you'll also find a link to the current "economic crisis," MONEY LAUNDERING OF DRUG MONEY....$1.3 TRILLION DOLLARS worth.....Afghanistan, Colombia, Peru, Nicaragua....all fall under a Department of Justice "Letter of Understanding" with the CIA that allows them to DRUG TRAFFIC without reporting profits or keeping a paper trail....it's "off record" $MONEY$ unreported....Blackwater is an extension of the bush/cheney drug running company....search on SIEBEL EDMONDS and Ashcroft too. It's your country. How's our middle class doing? How is the $700 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT going to help them. FANNIE AND FREDDIE are both holding $800 BILLION IN STOCKS apiece...did bush take over the companies as a ruse? They are not involved in the primary mortgage market....they're secondary people....they simply gaurantee the loans that the corrupt banks make. SEARCH on Union Bank, BCCI, George H.W. Bush, Prescott Bush, Silverado.....bank fraud is a bush family business.....it's your country.....understand it, or you will be paying their bills as they continue to lay stripes on your back with the whip of dishonesty..... Get done with slavery by holding _them_ accountable....slavery has no color....it's the slavish mentality to unquestioningly believe 'Massa's story. Grow up peons.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYour statements make perfect sense. Unfortunately you like me are in extreme minority. If american public is blinded by patriotic propaganda of corporate tabloid media and criminal leadership, nothing will change for long time. Only change will come with revolt and revolution in such a tyrant situation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisShame on Scientific American for meddling in politics. This is one reason I stopped subscribing to your magazine. I come here for updates on new findings in science that you usually cannot find anywhere else. Wrapping up your political opinions in a few scientific "findings" doesn't make it true. Sadly, it seems SciAm is just another extention of the propaganda media. Shame on you...it's a sad day for me and this country.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisInteresting. This article references three different studies. One of the studies indicates that there is a liberal bias. One study indicates a conservative bias. And another study lists a liberal bias for several news outlets and a conservative bias for a few other news outlets. But the subtitle for the article suggests that Obama is getting more negative coverage.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDraw your own conclusions.
The future for the USA is pretty sad in at least 4 more years! if the nation decided to choose one of these two folks! The nation will see him to conduct all sorts of jokes making by a political amateur!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat does this have to do with media bias ? There always felon and dodgy people in control of any system . Ours is not exception. Manipulation as state is part of life but Americans can do you when they have been sold a bill of goods .
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat is true is that the media isn't reporting information or events....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThey are _s_e_l_l_i_n_g_. Reporting is simply giving information. Selling is framing information in such a way as to create an impression, it's facts embedded in a matrix designed to inhibit clear interpretation of events.
Fact: We have never suffered any harm or attack from the IRAQI's, yet we label our invasion of their country a "war." The reason? George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil Bush, Barbara Bush, DichCheeney, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, Richard Perle, William Kristol, The Kagans, Chevron, BP, Exxon-Mobil, UAE, Harmid Karzail, Zalmay Khaliazid, Eric Prince and others too numerous to mention have decided to commit fraud in order to make money with that fraud.
There is no war, there is no preemptive strike.....it's simple theft. How much money is sent overseas to Halliburton, Bechtel, KBR, DynCorp, CACI, Carlyle Group? $760 MILLION DOLLARS A DAY
How much untracked Iraqi OIL is going out the back door, and who is banking that money?
How much drug money is being laundered by Bush and Company through the US Banking industry??? Some would say $1.3 TRILLION DOLLARS.....think that could cause a problem, trying to wash that much cash?
What keeps the economy FLUID? An affluent middle class, who spend 90 PerCENT of what they make....not invest all of it. A modern economy can not run with royalty and peasants as the only participants....the bulk of participants need to be affluent with less than 7 PERCENT not doing so well and only 1 PERCENT doing much better. Outsourcing needs to be regulated
now.
totalitarian propaganda, aka fascist propaganda
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisis to a large extent what exists as media nowadays.
Why is there a Director of National Intelligence? To make sure no truth finds it's way out into the streets....the current appointed director is under direct control of the presidente' and prior to his appointment represented people in the security business lobbying Congress....he's a lobbyist....a money shark.
wotta surprise.
The whole presidential campaign is based on popular opinion polls. The media selection and determination of issues form public opinions and decide who should win or should win. In the last few weeks, it looked like the general media was out to undo Palin, and at the same time portray Obama as most popular. It should make the election process null and void.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe whole presidential campaign is based on popular opinion polls. The media selection and determination of issues form public opinions and decide who should win or should win. In the last few weeks, it looked like the general media was out to undo Palin, and at the same time portray Obama as most popular. It should make the election process null and void.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think you should read this:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12305579&source=features_box_main&mode=comment&intent=readBottom
for-worldconscience wrote: Sept 28, 2008 11:57
The U.S.A nation has headed into the very difficult time in history related to ecomomics, politics, financial crisises and other deep-rooted problems as terrorists, and devasstations of the disappearing of manufacturing industries moving into China, India! etc.,
In other words, this nation suddenly transformed from a manufacturing, designing, inventing, distributing "Made in USA products" exporting to the world and now become a totally nation depending on "Made in China" imported products and majory citizens in this nation suddenly become computer-handlers and making few software products and some gaz-guzzling cars to make living! Unfortunately, at the same time China has transformed all its natural resources including garbages (such as collected used plastic garbages, tin cans, etc.) to make all sorts of products to feed this USA market! and at the same time sucking all money from all Americans and nation and jobs to itself! and the sadly result is USA is now a definitely a nation which is a big consumer of Chinese products and also a broken nation in economy and job-losses and the nation is flat broke and deficit seems to reach several trillions of dollars! With 700 billions dollars to patch the Wall Street is just a drop of salt to pour into the ocean! and what the Americans should decide and hope for the coming leader???
As mentioned problems, this nation must obtain a magician in economy and financial and domestic and foreign policies! in other words, a super bright as a economic angel with super effective decisions and intelligence and experience on a coming leader is damned needed to the USA nation! and all others are irrelevant to the hope of the nation!
THEREFORE, NOW MORE THAN EVER THE USA NATION MUST CHOOSE A SUPER VALUABLE SUPER INTELLIGENT SUPER EXPERIENCED SUPER VISIONARY MAN TO BE A LEADER OR "ECONOMY-COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF"!
The two folks hanging around to wait for jumping into the Whitehouse in the 2008 as seen are unqualified for the leader job! these folks can be used as a US ambassador in Kenya and an ambassador in Madagascar only due to these folks were not well trained in leading the nation since they were young!
A well-trusted president of the USA should come from Havard University or Princeton Univ from the researches centers as econimics scientists or as smart and experienced as Mr. Allan Greenpan a great man or super bright star of the nation only for example!
IN SUMMARY, THIS CHAOTIC TIME OF THE USA NATION IS THE TIME TO RECRUIT A SUPER EXPERIENCED MAN TO BE A PRESIDENT TO NAVIGATE THE NATION OUT OF THE TEMPESTS! BOTH HANGING AROUND FOLKS AS HAVE TRUMPETED LOUDLY FOR SELF-PROMOTING THEIR VALUES ARE DEFINITELY UNQUALIFIED AND THESE MEN SHOULD GO FISHING THEMSELVES AND ABANDONING THEIR MIGHTY DREAMS AS THE MOST DEDICATED FOLKS TO LEAD THE NATION! DUE TO IT IS SUCH A TERRIBLE JOKES THAT ONLY DO HARMS TO THE NATION INSTEAD OF ASSISTING THIS NATION AND ITS CITIZENS IN THE TROUBLE TIME!!!!
A PATRIOTIC MAN SHOULD NEVER INTEND TO USE HIS NON-VALUABLE QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE THE NATION DUE TO HE ONLY DOES HARMS INSTEAD OF DOING GOOD THINGS TO HE NATION!!!
I hope this comment will reach all Americans to remind them how to make proper decision in the 2008!
Seems to me that two people watching the same coverage of a debate, or Sunday morning commentary could find a bias in favor of the other side pretty much every time. This is just human nature (We want to protect our own). I'm glad that this article at least shows evidence of a bias in both directions. I personally feel that I have noticed a pro McCain bias in the media for sometime now, including the deference that they were showing to Palin, and the lack of hard hitting follow up questions asked of either. The whole idea of the media elite is just ridiculous. It is one group of people who does not agree with reality, so when confronted with it they cry foul.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere have been many more studies demonstrating a significant bias prior to this. Word choice, spiked stories, etc. Media bias is not new. SA also has significant bias, almost propagandistic in nature. Witness their refusal to discuss the scientific arguments of global warming skeptics.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe responses to this article are much more funny than the premise of the article. Apparently more people are interested in this issue who do not speak or write concise english, than those who do. I think that there is an international bias to the responders to this article.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'd love to know what news these guys are watching.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI find it absolutely stunning that there are so many "American Experts" in this forum. Here is a wonderful article that is sure to enhance your thirst for American knowledge, Enjoy!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2575395/British-anti-Americanism-based-on-misconceptions.html
The whole concept of allowing one person to govern us shouldn't make sense anymore. The reason we are so easily manipulated by the press is because we have so little involvement in the actual process of government.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIsn't it time for us to change the whole thing? The Metagovernment (.org) seems to be the best answer going, and a heck of a lot better than this inanity.
The Presidential coverage, no doubt, leaves a lot to be desired. There has been little or no analysis that can point to careful considerations of issues.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe reportings are bias for networks talking points.
The content is less than jargon in terms of meaningless noise and chatter.
Technology and science will find their advancement in terms of what the candidate actual does in office.
Good journalist has long disappeared from the scene for less than colorful hacks.
The United States has always been great in practical technology, making things work and work well. This leadership and doing may be in serious jeopardy in the future.
What is balanced and what is fair is open to discussion from whose point of view?
Roy D. Schickedanz
One of the major issues raised in the current Presidential campaign was bringing creationism into the classroom against current standards.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNo doubt, you have The Discovery Institute and the Idea Club making hay, pushing their manifesto of Intelligent Design, raising the stake for religious values and the religious right.
What seems to be right wing might be called liberal in tone, what shall dominate versus the open expression of our society and in some instances what is the truth.
Here, the media has done a poor job, raising the strake for confrontation through distortion.
Roy D. Schickedanz
What we have is a society wanting a quick fix for everything.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis includes a quick fix for our ailing economy, the bailing out of George Bush and his disastrous policies and handling.
Every American should be outrage by this administration and its leadership. We are reminded of Nazi Germany in this regard.
Their conduct and activities finds sedition at the highest levels.
Enough is enough.
Our problem is George Bush and his gang, providing loyalty to Bush and not to our Constitution and government.
Here, Article One needs to step to the plate and take charge, leaning heavily on criminal accountability of Article Two.
Our government is beginning to work calling into question any rush job by this administration which cannot be trusted and should not be trusted.
We have gotten into our current fix by George Bush. He alone is our real problem.
Re: "CMPA issued a report showing that 72 percent of the statements in TV news reports about Obama in late spring and early summer were negative, whereas 57 percent of the statements about McCain were negative." Comparison is invalid: they were NOT competing back than.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat we have is a society wanting a quick fix for everything.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis includes a quick fix for our ailing economy, the bailing out of George Bush and his disastrous policies and handling.
Every American should be outrage by this administration and its leadership. We are reminded of Nazi Germany in this regard.
Their conduct and activities finds sedition at the highest levels.
Enough is enough.
Our problem is George Bush and his gang, providing loyalty to Bush and not to our Constitution and government.
Here, Article One needs to step to the plate and take charge, leaning heavily on criminal accountability of Article Two.
Our government is beginning to work calling into question any rush job by this administration which cannot be trusted and should not be trusted.
We have gotten into our current fix by George Bush. He alone is our real problem.
Clearly Scientific American is biased towards liberalism or they would print a disclaimer about these posts for the complete lack of grammar, horrific spelling, and abysmal sentence structure being allowed to reside on their site.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThese posts are a testament to what liberalism has done to our schools, to our news media, and obviously to our economy since Scientific American doesnt appear to have the resources to insist on excellence in postology.
The new administration may again set values to what United States is capable of performing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPresident John F. Kennedy gave the American people a goal of reaching the moon, advancing the United States into the future.
China in recent days has shown its own wiliness in similar goals into space, no doubt, threatening our own abilities.
This future confrontation will be a major issue for the next President.
Science and biology shall be the biggest stories ahead.
Already, biology is dominating our advancement in science as the 21st century will seek new understanding of organic life and its possibilities.
We are not alone in the universe.
And our future must be research and develop.
The new administration may again set values to what United States is capable of performing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPresident John F. Kennedy gave the American people a goal of reaching the moon, advancing the United States into the future.
China in recent days has shown its own wiliness in similar goals into space, no doubt, threatening our own abilities.
This future confrontation will be a major issue for the next President.
Science and biology shall be the biggest stories ahead.
Already, biology is dominating our advancement in science as the 21st century will seek new understanding of organic life and its possibilities.
We are not alone in the universe.
And our future must be research and develop.
Those seriously working in science must now find the advocacy to front their professionalism against those seriously trying front creationism, and those piggybacking the storm.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTypical example is the Open Letter about Religion and Science.
The road to Hell is paved with good intensions.
In that regard, the courageous overtone in your Open Letter Concerning Religion and Science is most welcome. We certainly indorse that the teaching of creationism as unwarranted precedent in an environment that has been freed of such indoctrination and dogma.
We find ourselves, however, completely and utterly in disagreement that evolution is a theory, when it is unmitigated fact.
Equally, we disagree when you indicate that Evolution and religious faith are fully harmonious, where Evolution and Religion are incompatible.
Religion has arisen out of man’s own discontent and insecurity of which he is and what he is as a hybrid Pan Chimpanzee.
Religion, the coexistence of God and the Bible is built on foundation of a lie which is in itself a sin, coupled with plagiarism of claiming that it had something to do with something have nothing to do!
No moral house can be built upon such a structure.
The question must raise is how the media will cover this story.
Dangerous Ideas are those that impair reality and its truth against the laws of the universe. Here, the idea of God on the one side, and Evolution through Natural Selection on the other. Both are flawed, where reality is much more dynamic.
The creationists try to escape reality and truth through propaganda and brainwashing. The Darwinian Evolutionists can only find an impossibility of life against its design.
What, Political Bias in the News?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMedia Researchers might need to focus on the Bias in the News Industry Period. Since 9/11/01 the "Patriotic” duties to the administration has become more important than serving the public’s interest. What do the researchers have to say about the major media corporation lack of interest in scholars, researchers, and intellectuals opinions? ABC, CNN, CBS, FOX, ETC… are all to blame for continuing this façade of our call to duty, compared to deceiving the public. Our Fellow Americans suffer from media moguls’ interviewing each other now. Sad really, however shows such as Hannity and Colmes continually treat their “guests” rude overpowering them off the set. Keep your enemies closer than your friends and see how much disinformation they can dispel in one hour. The bail out of Wall Street is proof; lobbyist interests take instant precedent over our congress and political process. Why didn’t we bail out Ford, or Chevy, before millions of jobs were sent overseas?
A call out to the Researchers of the media; how about poll on how certain are Americans are with Corporate/Media?
With Love
RosieRose
I think that Scientific American should understand that those that use labels, aren't interested in truth. They are interested in bending the definition of the labels used
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthrough repeated use of untruth.
Karl Rove leader of the Republican Propaganda unit and Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels, leader of the Nazi Party's propaganda unit use the same tools to persuade. Truth is not a part of their toolset, and propaganda is _not_ information....it's a "sell.'
WMD? watch the Phil Donahue movie, "Body of War." In that film there is footage of George W. Bush mocking at a gathering of the faithful at the zionist Heritage Foundation that idea that there ever were any WMD. The implication being that they all knew and know the WMD was purest fabrication to steal financial resources from the US of A and IRAQ both. War Profiteering and OIL...
grow up AMERICANS it's your country, quit picking up the soap.
.
Hm, I too have been sitting here, thinking to myself "How did the Americans choose the two worst men for the job?"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with GLM2001.
The point in fact is this: The Americans are enthralled by the idea of having an African-American (although we could debate that little classification) at the helm of their country. They want to be progessive and show that race doesn't matter.
Of course, that's all a bunch of hooey, but hey- who am I to criticize? (Other than saying that "We can!" is hardly a proper slogan, since it has nothing to do with the cogs and wheels of a country's internal machine, but rather the skin colour of the candidate.)
So, they can be more sexist tha racist (I wanted Hilary, she actually had policies- and they were good.) to their heart's content.
Just remember (and this comes from an African): It doesn't matter what colour you choose, if they don't have proper policies in the election campaign... Nothing is going to change.
I am disappointed that SciAm did not demand a better hypothesis or proposition by the journalism professor Ms. V. Martin. Why was the time period "early summer" selected as a point of reference? The Democratic party hadn't even nominated Barack O'Bama at that time, as referenced by 'Curious.' Most negative ads or press was coming from Hiliary Clinton not the Republicans at that time period. Yet the article skips over that minor fact. Additionally how was the conclusion of there being a conservative bias by Ms. Martin drawn? Despite the questionable, random time of early summer to do the study, the results are still questionable. As mentioned by GML2001 the so-called studies indicated results of a liberal bias, a conservative bias, and a mixed bias; those three results somehow resulted in the author's belief that there is a conservative bias in the media. After reading this article written by a journalism professor, it's apparent that journalism majors are not required to learn the scientific method. SciAm please find better objective, scientific articles.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAhh..I don't know where this trickle of truth came from , for I have long been parched in desert of the unapts .The masses around are swirling around in smoke and mirrors; bees droning around in a hive acting as one. It isn't "educate don't alinate" because as I go on wallowing in the filth of nation there are a less insights into what is real. You let this happen again and to the end. Bottom line: The supreme (nonentity)court said journalist don't have to tell the truth , it isn't there responsibility, chew on that jack! Although they do get introuble with those wealthy enough to afford it when they file suit for defamation of character,sigh...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAhh..I don't know where this trickle of truth came from , for I have long been parched in desert of the unapts .The masses around are swirling around in smoke and mirrors; bees droning around in a hive acting as one. It isn't "educate don't alinate" because as I go on wallowing in the filth of nation there are a less insights into what is real. You let this happen again and to the end. Bottom line: The supreme (nonentity)court said journalist don't have to tell the truth , it isn't there responsibility, chew on that jack! Although they do get introuble with those wealthy enough to afford it when they file suit for defamation of character,sigh...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe advent of the 24 hour news, has created a need to hype, and repeat items and stories. This need to fill air time increases the opportunity for bias as each newscaster jockeys for viewers and plays and reports what they think is important. I would like to see UCLA /Groeling continue this research for I think what the networks choose to show and how they hype it now is a huge controlling factor on the opinion of the average person.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisRacism or Capitalism and Media Bias
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI've been told Capitalism's basic tenet is "Find A Need An Fill It" if you are a Media outlet this means find disenfranchised readers and engage them. You can't sell stuff to customers you don't have. If you are trying to engage "Black Readers" you do an expose on "Black in America" or some such, or "Latino" or any other group or subgroup you'd care to name. You also have to tailor the product to your customers. "The Customer is always Right" so you tell them what they want to hear. You don't tell a Skinhead guy that "The "Black President Guy" went to Harvard and is a much more capable person than he could ever hope to be"...well not, if you want to Sell him anything! Even Nutcases are customers. Readers want to feel included and listened to, every media outlet knows this hence the "Comments" section after every "News" story. In this economy with everyone scrambling to keep their businesses afloat it seems that balanced reporting has given way to keep them entertained at all costs. If your readers are "White Rural Twenty Somethings" then is it racism to write about things that interest them? A three page article on sickle-cell anemia would
be a waste of space that could be better used to sell Gun and ATV advertising, likewise would "Black Urban Twenty Somethings" care about "How To Hunt Elk in Montana"? I think not. The need to "Keep our Phoney Baloney Jobs" seems to be a larger driving force in Media Bias than Ideology or racism. News is a business and it tailors it's "Products" to it's customers needs if they didn't they wouldn't be in business long. These days there is a media outlet for every Ideology and political view just Google it and within seconds you can find someone to tell you that you are included and listened to no matter how extreme your views maybe. I just wonder if the " I'll only tell you, what you want to hear. " type of Business model is "aiding and abetting" the divisions in our country. I also wonder about the unintended consequences of this sort of "BUILT-IN" Media Bias?
Quorumforum * "Some Assembly Required"
After reading the grammar and spelling in the comments, does anyone need to say more?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf there is a liberal bias in the media, perhaps it's a viewpoint that makes rational sense.