1) Bias through "balance": giving equal time to legitimate and nutcase viewpoints, thus legitimizing the nutcases)
2) Principled bias: knee jerk, predictable opinions that gloss over the merits of an argument in favor of mind-numbing partisanship)
3) Non-news: Go to CNN's homepage. I guarantee that a featured story will be about the latest car chase in L.A. or a tabloid story (such as Natalee Holloway). Even respectable news outlets are beginning to change for the worse: BBC World had live coverage of the Michael Jackson coverage on Thursday; the same day NPR did a profile on Levi Johnston, the ex-fiancee of Sarah Palin's daughter.
As news becomes more stratified (conservatives watch Fox News, liberals watch MSNBC, economists read blogs, religious types watch CBN, etc.), people are less inclined to question their own beliefs and more inclined to watch news that rationalized their own biases. Continuing this trend, it is not hard to envision a super-partisan world - even more so than what exists now.
This got me thinking - who exactly are the television personalities that we're all listening to? Are they insane, as I think them to be? Or are they simply puppets (albeit smart puppets) who play to what their audiences want? More importantly, who can actually watch Lou Dobbs Tonight with a straight face?
Here's some bios and clips from some of my favorites. It's not a comprehensive list - what are your favorite cable news/opinion moments and personalities?
Glenn Beck
Wikipedia bio
From Wikipedia: "Beck is a self-described recovering alcoholic and drug addict"
Click for Beck making a complete ass out of himself (highly recommended viewing)
Sean Hannity
Wikipedia bio
I can't find any huge malfunctions in Hannity's bio - what am I missing?
Rush Limbaugh
Wikipedia bio
From Wikipedia:
"In the October 23, 2006 edition of his radio show, Limbaugh imitated on the "DittoCam" (the webcam for website subscribers to see him on the air) the physical symptoms of actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease.[18][19] He said "(Fox) is exaggerating the effects of the disease. He's moving all around and shaking and it's purely an act ... This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting."
Michael J. Fox later appeared on CBS with Katie Couric and said he was actually dyskinesic at the time, a condition that results from his medication."
"In June 2006, Limbaugh was detained by drug enforcement agents at Palm Beach International Airport. Customs officials confiscated Viagra from Limbaugh's luggage as he was returning from the Dominican Republic. The prescription was not in Limbaugh's name.
After he was released with no charges filed, Limbaugh joked about the incident on his radio show, claiming that he got the Viagra at the Clinton Library and was told they were blue M&M's. He also stated that "I had a great time in the Dominican Republic. Wish I could tell you about it."
"On October 3, 2003 the National Enquirer reported that Limbaugh was being investigated for illegally obtaining the prescription drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone. Other news outlets quickly confirmed the investigation.[96] He admitted to listeners on his radio show on October 10 that he was addicted to prescription painkillers and stated that he would enter inpatient treatment for 30 days, immediately after the broadcast.[97] Limbaugh stated his addiction to painkillers resulted from several years of severe back pain heightened by a botched surgery intended to correct those problems.
Previously, Limbaugh has condemned illegal drug use on his radio broadcast and has stated that those convicted of drug crimes should be sent to jail."
I'll post more later. Up next: Keith Olberman and any other liberal wack jobs I can think of. Anyone got any suggestions? Am I holding these guys to too high a standard?
I think that most people aren't interested in establishing the truth. Rather they prefer news outlets that affirm their preconceptions about how the world functions. These media personalities aren't the problem, they are just a symptom. After all, just looking at best seller lists. During the Bush era dozens of books detailing his various alleged crimes and sordid past were on sale and did pretty well. Under Clinton any number of books were published that purported to expose the heinous crimes of his administration and Michelle Malkin already has a book out on the Obama Administration that is a best seller.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is tempting to blame the system, I am more inclined to blame the consumer. I just dont think that much of a market exists for real unbiased news.
IMO, The News Hour is the only quality news program left.
ReplyDelete"Am I holding these guys to too high a standard?"
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're necessarily holding them to too high a standard, but I do think that if my job was to talk non-stop for a few hours straight quite a few retarded tidbits would work their way out (although nothing on the level of Glenn Beck's insanity).
I'll generally agree with Colin. People aren't interested in news or truth, the "news" is just entertainment. It's no different than cartoons except adults are expected to watch it.