From: jswitzer@afit.af.mil (Chip Switzer)
Subject: Re: Media Bias at Republican Convention
Organization: Air Force Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 14:23:46 GMT

Chuck.Lavazzi@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Chuck Lavazzi) writes:

>In article <1992Aug20.162724.2478@afit.af.mil> jswitzer@afit.af.mil (Chip Switzer) writes:
>>
>>Please listen to the debate.  Nobody has made any mention of whether or
>>not people *should* be in journalism.  The discussion is about whether the
>>news media is biased to a particular view-point and whether that bias 
>>influences the news content. 
>	Exactly.  And so far evidence of that influence is what hasn't been
>presented.  So far all we've seen are claims that reporters (but not, we may
>note, the people who own the firms for which they work) tend to be more
>politically liberal than the population as a whole.  The (unsupported)
>presumption is that they will therefore deliberately bias news reporting to
>support their political views.

I have not attempted to prove media bias.  In my opinion, and that
of most conservatives, a leftist biased is displayed by much of the news
media. While it is impossible for one person to prove through the net,
(several large organizations are still trying...) I can, and have,
presented numerous examples to clarify what I believe constitutes
liberal bias.  The bias is usually subtle and not as obvious to liberals
who happen to agree with the way a story was presented.  I continue
to emphasize, though, that just because you *agree* with the way a story
was slanted, does not mean that bias wasn't exhibited.  It only means
that you share the same bias as the reporter.  Almost every example of
bias I have presented has been argued away with arguments like, "Well
it's true!." or "It was justifiable to present it like that because of
their hypocracy..."  Hardly solid arguments.  They only prove
my point.  

Fact:  The producer for NBC news (and possibly others) held a shot of
Vice President Quayle during a lengthy section of Pat Buchanan's speech
regarding Gov Clinton's alleged draft dodging.  It can't be explained 
away as coincidence.  It can't be explained away as whining or paranoia
on the part of all who noticed it.  And listen carefully here.  It can't
be explained away by saying that you agree with the producer and that
Quayle's own military record is suspect--THAT IS NOT THE SUBJECT.  The 
subject is whether the producer shared his own opinions with us, not 
whether you agree with the producer's opinions.  

>	Carl Edman has even gone so far as to suggest that *all* news from
>"mainstream" media should be discounted.  Whether this should include *all*
>reportage or only that which is unflattering to rightists he has not said.
>"Media bias", of course, is usually the first defense of the scoundrel
>caught in the act these days.  One hears it from the left and the right,
>despite what the "All reporters are pinkos" crowd has ben claiming.
>
While I do not have it front of me, I believe he said something to the 
effect of, "All news reports should be assumed biased--whether  
conservatively or liberally, or corporately for that matter.  Realize
this and use your OWN judgement to sift through it and get to the
facts."
>
>"Media bias", of course, is usually the first defense of the scoundrel
>caught in the act these days.  One hears it from the left and the right,
>despite what the "All reporters are pinkos" crowd has ben claiming.
>
Well, that is a faily extreme opinion.  I try to stay away from extremes
because people tend to listen to you less...

>>
>>Chip Switzer                            "A witty saying proves nothing." 
>>jswitzer@afit.af.mil                              -- Voltaire 
>>
>Your .sig is more valid than you may realize.

Ah, but I ceratinly do realize it.



Chip Switzer                            "A witty saying proves nothing." 
jswitzer@afit.af.mil                              -- Voltaire 
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