Media Bias and Mis-information

Squawker · 02-22-05, 07:35 PM

My new friend Pacridge contends that the media on the right is not only biased, but not capable of telling the truth. I contend the media on the left is biased and are the only outlets caught and punished for not telling the truth. Let’s see if we can get to the bottom of what is actually occurring in the media today. These are the major media sources on the left and right. If I leave some out please mention them and I will include them in the list for discussion.

Left ------------------ Right
ABC ------------------ FOX NEWS
NBC -----------------WASHINGTON TIMES
CBS ------------------ NY POST

PBS ------------------ RUSH LIMBAUGH
CNN ------------------ MATT DRUDGE
MSNBC --------------- HANNITY
LA. TIMES ------------ HOWIE CARR
NY TIMES ------------ ANN COULTER
WASHINGTON POST
BOSTON GLOBE
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
AIR AMERICA

This is the topic for debate:
1) Which media outlets do you think represent the "truth" better and why?
2) Do you think think the media has a political agenda and if so, have they mis-used their power to further that agenda?

1) Which media outlets do you think represent the "truth" better and why?
I actually think Matt Drudge is in the lead on this, He broke the story about Monica and Bill and also broke the story about Rush and his drug problem. He seems to be out to get the truth no matter what side they are on.
2) Do you think think the media has a political agenda and if so, have they mis-used their power to further that agenda?
Air America and Rush definately have a political agenda, we can recognize those. Fox News isn't so obvious and I think they have made an honest effort to remain fair to both sides. (Pac -- it's not nice to spit on your monitor, so stop sputtering) CBS wins the prize this year for abusing their power. New York Times comes in second for putting stories about Abu- Ghraib on the front page weekly and the UN scandel in the back occasionally.

anomaly · 02-22-05, 11:39 PM

I've always been fond of ABC...what can I say, I like Peter Jennings. NBC is pretty good, too. Conservative, but not overly so. Wait, you put them on the left...how are they to the left? The worst, by far though, are Ann Coulter, Hannity, and Rush (of the cons on your list...personally I hate O'Reilly and Neil Cavuto). All of these people lieand it's been documented by one Al Franken. Ann Coulter is the queen liar, the worst of the worst. I simply can't stomach her.

vauge · 02-23-05, 12:04 AM

1) Which media outlets do you think represent the "truth" better and
why?
The keyword here is "better". I am going to have to go with FoxNews. They really do have a large mix of folks. Conservative radio sells, but FOX also has liberal radio as well. Colmes in case you didn't know has a radio show. He is by far not the only liberal that FOX has on the air. But, I still think that news truely is in the ears of the beholder. We could both hear the same broadcast and take it completely different.

Also, whatever sells is what America buys. FOX doesn't hesitate to slam Bush when it sells.

2) Do you think think the media has a political agenda and if so, have they mis-used their power to further that agenda?

Not a true "agenda" per say. College campuses accross the nation are sputting out Liberal folks every semester 10x (or more) than Conservatives. Because of this... the media is naturally leaning more toward the left.
--
Slightly off topic, but I truely think that in 3 years - the net will be the place people will go for news not a nightly TV broadcast. This site being one of them (hopefully with your help). Many many folks read a story, but want to know what others think before they commit to an opinion. Places like this will become the news of the future. Information age, step II.

Squawker · 02-23-05, 05:23 PM

Quote:

NBC is pretty good, too. Conservative, but not overly so. Wait, you put them on the left...how are they to the left? The worst, by far though, are Ann Coulter, Hannity, and Rush (of the cons on your list...personally I hate O'Reilly and Neil Cavuto). All of these people lieand it's been documented by one Al Franken.

Everyone lies except Al Franken? Wow, he should be rich and famous by now. lol

Squawker · 02-23-05, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Slightly off topic, but I truely think that in 3 years - the net will be the place people will go for news not a nightly TV broadcast. This site being one of them (hopefully with your help). Many many folks read a story, but want to know what others think before they commit to an opinion. Places like this will become the news of the future. Information age, step II.

I wouldn’t call it off topic, and I would say the internet has become the number one news source already. You can tell “left wing media” by the way they are attacking the “bloggers”. First they attacked talk radio and accused them of always lying. Wait – they are still doing that. Lol Now they are after the bloggers. Like they always say – the truth hurts.

shuamort · 02-23-05, 08:30 PM

I'd say 99.9999% of all news media is going to have a bias. To be truly informed, one really needs to get news from multiple sources, left, right and in between. One also needs to take the news they read with a grain of salt and have to analyze the information for themselves (Yeah, i know, it's work.) Some news sources are better than the others, I tend to eschew TV and radio both. The news doesn't have a chance to be in depth and take the time telling a complete story.

Squawker · 02-23-05, 09:59 PM

My favorite site for news is "My Way". It has all the major media links and top news around the world with no ads or pop ups. A great place to compare how the media spins the news.

http://news.myway.com/index/id/home.html

vauge · 02-24-05, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squawker

My favorite site for news is "My Way". It has all the major media links and top news around the world with no ads or pop ups. A great place to compare how the media spins the news.

http://news.myway.com/index/id/home.html

Nice link... thanks for sharing!

freedom69714 · 02-24-05, 05:55 PM

I been a news junkie for 40 years and I'm 53 years old if you like we could get together SOME HOW and I'll show you ALL THE SO CALLED LEFTIST NEWS PRODUCERS !!> Have done 1000's of story BASHING THE SO CALLED LEFT / LIBERIAL'S / PROGRESSIVES .
At the same time I can show you 1000's of story's of the SO CALLED LEFT NEWS MEDIA SUPPORTING THE RIGHT

Sorry this is so short I just had hand surgery on my right hand and I'm right handed

Squawker I can't believe you know Howie Carr he is ONE OF THOSE TALK SHOW HOST WHO WILL NOT ALLOW ME ON HIS SHOW !!.

Because I have always disagreed WITH HIS RIGHT WACO ""HE IS THE KING CHICKEN HAWK"" IN BOSTON

POWER TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH

FREEDOM69

Squawker · 02-24-05, 06:53 PM

I am not a Howie Carr fan. He gives Republicans a bad name if you ask me. Do you have any opinion on which media outlet tries to give accurate information best?