Does 'liberal media bias' actually exist?

Question

Speaking as a journalist and editor, I've been interested in the question of 'liberal media bias' in the US election campaign. I wonder whether it doesn't exist merely as an obvious representation of certain facts - whether it's arguable that journalism as a career simply draws more people to it who have a liberal attitude, or that it fosters such attitudes by the very nature of the work? I mean, journalists professionally are often called on to travel, to empathise, and to see many angles and dimensions to a story. Surely this in itself engenders more liberal attitudes to the world?

And if there are more successful journalists with a liberal slant than a conservative one, does it not argue that the majority of their readership or their audience have the same sort of slant in their own lives? And if so, does it count as bias at all?

Answer 1

I think there is a slight liberal bias, but nowhere near as pronounced as conservatives contend. I believe the bias exists because of the nature of journalism as a field of study and the type of people it tends to attract. I don't believe there is a liberal conspiracy trying to manipulate the news, just that the main motivation for pursuing journalism as a career is more of a liberal ideal than a conservative one.

Answer 2

The MEdia will always have a bias, as even the most impartial reporter will always have an opinion which effects their writing. Whether or not this is a liberal or conservative bias depends upon each individual reporter, not the media as a whole.



In General terms, the media over all will always have a bias. It is neither wholly liberal or wholly conservative.



Which way the media goes is also dependant upon the viewer. I may see a story on CNN criticizing bush and interpret that as a Liberal bias, when all they are doing is reporting a story. Likewise I may see a story on fox praising bush and think it is blown out of proportion and see that as a conservative bias.

Answer 3

If you want to see liberal media bias in action just come to Washington DC. Aside from the disgusting Washington (Com)post, the news channels here - NBC, ABC and CBS - are all actively supporting Obama. I mean flat out cheering the man on while other news stories about McCain go unattended, uncovered and ignored.



To give you an example: The was a news story on the other night where an arrest was made in a rape case. The reporter ended the segment with 'it was later discovered that the alledged rapist worked for the local office of the RNC'.



My God! If that isnt a liberal bias then I dont know what is! What possible bearing would the mans place of employment have on a rape case???

Answer 4

Your analysis of the concept prroves at least one of the YA community is actually thinking clearly.

I suggest the 'lmb' is just a phrase to keep the game interesting for the powerful media owners, whose bias is corporate if nothing else.

Corporate style journalism reeks of greed and anti social development attitudes in government, hardly liberal. Fifth estate owners live at the expense of the Truth, as do many attorneys and politicians.

Liberal media bias is another divisive ruse.

Answer 5

Of course it actually exists.



In truth however it is a minor phenomenon.

Republicans like to shake up their people with it, a simple political tactic, to get all the fizz and foam they can out of it.



But they cannot avoid questions, ultimately. Just answering arranged fluff questions never works either.

Answer 6

Yes, it exists, but rarely does it occur, upset on MNSBC or whatever that station is with Keith Olberman. But to be fair, there is Faux News......



Most of the time, it's just a persecution complex or a political tool to rally the republicans, with a us against "them" mentality.....

Answer 7

No. However, when one sees themselves as a perpetual victim, reality has a liberal bias.

Answer 8

i'd like to see news coverage from an objective point of view. dont give us your opinion, just give us the news. i dont care about the network owners point of view; i dont care about the talking head anchor's point of view; i care about the content, the news. whatever happened to integrity in journalism or was there ever any? thank goodness for additional media outlets beyond television and radio.

Answer 9

compare the number of stories written about obama vs. mccain and the whether they were for or against. they are overwhelmingly in favor of obama. one look at the conventions and the fawning coverage...the goose bumps up there legs and you know who they want to win. that is not reporting the news, that is reporting their views.



if the media was putting out a product that people wanted, they would not be losing money left and right.

Answer 10

yes it exists there is a difference between comentary and news too bad the major networks can't find it

Answer 11

CNN. MSNBC, CBS, ABC all liberal news outlets catering to libs.

Answer 12

What country do you live in? Certainly not in the USA.