Is the media liberal?

[Scheavo]

Simple question. Discussion relating to why or why not.

I say no. As a liberal, I rarely see true liberal stories, and in fact see much more pandering to moderates, conservatives and the status quo then anything liberal. Could it have been? Sure, but I think Fox News has done enough in this country to completely change the dynamics of much of the media into (basically) right wing propaganda.

[skydivingninja]

It depends on who's broadcasting what.  You can't really say the entire media community is liberal.  You've got your CNNs, your NPRs, and your NY Times as well as your Foxes, your EIBs, and your Wall Street Journals. 

[Adami]

Considering that most of the media I focus on is about the middle east, id say no. Not sure how american media looks though.

[Tick]

Yes...EXTREMELY!

[PlaysLikeMyung]

As a whole? No.

And actually, as far as news reporting goes, they're all pretty neutral. Where you get bias is from the commentators; Glenn Beck and the like. They don't report the news, they give their take on it. Even FOX, on raw news reporting, is pretty neutral.

Yes...EXTREMELY!

OP asks why or why not. Why do you think it is?

[El Barto]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers.  

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly.  

[skydivingninja]

And actually, as far as news reporting goes, they're all pretty neutral. Where you get bias is from the commentators; Glenn Beck and the like. They don't report the news, they give their take on it. Even FOX, on raw news reporting, is pretty neutral.

Yeah, this is a point I think a lot of people forget.

[El Barto]

I disagree. As PC and I discussed in the chat thread last week, their actual news reporting isn't much better.  There's often a bias in what you choose to [or not to] report.  And their headlines are often quite sensationalized, as well. 

[Adami]

Shocking, the liberal posters say no, the conservative posters say yes.

[skydivingninja]

And the moderates say it varies!

[Tick]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers.  

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly.  

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

[skydivingninja]

He did mention that there's plenty of bias on the other side.  He didn't name any networks specifically, but he didn't say anything that suggested he ignored liberal bias.

[Tick]

As a whole? No.

And actually, as far as news reporting goes, they're all pretty neutral. Where you get bias is from the commentators; Glenn Beck and the like. They don't report the news, they give their take on it. Even FOX, on raw news reporting, is pretty neutral.

Yes...EXTREMELY!

OP asks why or why not. Why do you think it is?

Fox is most certainly bias in there reporting. I don't think that makes them liars but they certainly are always going to cater to there viewers just as msnbc does, and goof balls like Bill Maher on HBO. You understand your demographic and you try to appeal to it.
I think a guy like Jon Stewart is actually quite fair in his comedic approach to politics, where as Maher is a fool.
Every network has there own slant. They are generally taking one side or the other.
Most news is not fair and balanced, its very liberal.
Tell me a news outlet besides Fox that isn't in the tank for the president?
Luckily there is a Fox news or the brainwashing of America would be complete.

[Adami]

Aside from the last 2 sentences, that was a very good post tick.

[Tick]

Aside from the last 2 sentences, that was a very good post tick.

Well, if you approved of any of it, its more then I usually get.
I'll take it!

[skydivingninja]

As a whole? No.

And actually, as far as news reporting goes, they're all pretty neutral. Where you get bias is from the commentators; Glenn Beck and the like. They don't report the news, they give their take on it. Even FOX, on raw news reporting, is pretty neutral.

Yes...EXTREMELY!

OP asks why or why not. Why do you think it is?

Fox is most certainly bias in there reporting. I don't think that makes them liars but they certainly are always going to cater to there viewers just as msnbc does, and goof balls like Bill Maher on HBO. You understand your demographic and you try to appeal to it.
I think a guy like Jon Stewart is actually quite fair in his comedic approach to politics, where as Maher is a fool.
Every network has there own slant. They are generally taking one side or the other.
Most news is not fair and balanced, its very liberal.
Tell me a news outlet besides Fox that isn't in the tank for the president?
Luckily there is a Fox news or the brainwashing of America would be complete.

You have proved your point quite convincingly.  Seriously though, besides the last two sentences it was a pretty good post with nothing really wrong about it.  I liked the comedian point.  Maher always came off as mean-spirited to me, while Jon Stewart goes after both sides (though usually after conservative presenters because its almost too easy) but he never does it maliciously.  

[7StringedBeast]

Why when the word media comes up no one talks about anything besides the News Media?  Media, in general, is liberal.  Look at music.  For the most part music has always been more on the liberal side of things.  It is always pushing boundaries and questioning the status quo.  Same thing with art.  Art is very liberal and art is media.  Television shows often put in liberal ideas within the show.  Look at the show Weeds. 

So yes it is safe to say that in general the Media is more on the liberal side.  There is also conservative media, but the majority of media slants to the liberal side.  This does not make media a Democrat.

[skydivingninja]

I thought it was understood that when we're talking about "media" in this sense, we're talking about news media.  NPR, EIB, Fox, CNN, MSNBC, WSJ, NYT, Acronyms Inc, etc.  Yes, art is a form of media, but its not really relevant in this context.

[Ryzee]

I don't think "the media" gives a crap about political affiliations.  Sure individual "newscasters" have their own biases, they are just American people like you and me after all, but "the media" as a whole is probablly only concerned about money, ratings, etc.  It kind of ties into the politics=sports analogy I made in the Obama thread.  When a group they support fails, people like to blame it on some higher-up conspiracy.  "The liberal media is in the tank for Obama."  "(My team) never had a chance, the refs were in the tank cuz the league wants (the opposing team) to win."

[7StringedBeast]

I thought it was understood that when we're talking about "media" in this sense, we're talking about news media.  NPR, EIB, Fox, CNN, MSNBC, WSJ, NYT, Acronyms Inc, etc.  Yes, art is a form of media, but its not really relevant in this context.

Well the thread title asks is the media liberal.  Media is not the same thing as news media.  So I think I answered the question pretty well.  If you want to talk news media, why bother.  It just depends on what station you are in on.

[skydivingninja]

Context still should have clued you in that the conversation has been about the news since the OP. 

[El Barto]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers.  

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly.  

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

[7StringedBeast]

Context still should have clued you in that the conversation has been about the news since the OP. 

Read my first sentence questioning why everyone just jumps straight to news media and does not talk about any other kind of media.

[Tick]

The thing is, for me I try to keep my ears open and listen to all sides of any argument. In the end ultimately you will be on one side or the other. In all due respect to Epicview, who I actually like, I don't think he is willing to listen to the other side. His mind is made up.
That's not a good place to be for anyone, and I would encourage people who think conservatives are a complete joke to at least always listen with an open mind because all our futures are at stake.

I used to have an "I HATE OBAMA!" attitude but have learned to soften my stance and take every issue on a case by case basis rather then let my disdain for him impair for ability to keep an open mind.
Its an Epiphany I had recently.
I actually find myself feeling sorry for the man and the hand he has been dealt. There are no easy solutions to America's problems so its easy to make a wrong call when you have no idea if something will work. I believe in his heart, he has America's best interest in his decisions.
Its like watching a sporting event where you feel the manager should have went to the bullpen one batter earlier rather then leave the pitcher in who gives up a homerun costing his team a victory.
hindsight is always 20/20.
The bottom line in the media is certainly more liberal then conservative. I know this by watching various news sources instead of being in a comfortable bubble that feeds me what I want to hear.
I want to hear it all. My future is in jeopardy just as much as those who oppose my views, and I wish us all well in the end.

[7StringedBeast]

I wish us all well in the end.

And that's what it its all about anyways right?  People get so wrapped up in the liberal/conservative fight that they forget to listen to each other's ideas and fail to realize we are all on the same team trying to get to the same ends most of the time.

[chknptpie]

Media as a whole - No. But there isn't a broadcast out there that only states facts without some kind of slant. That wouldn't be very entertaining.

[Tick]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers.  

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly.  

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

I guess I misinterpreted you because I thought you were saying the media is equally yolked? I think that is far from the case.

[MetalMike06]

I rarely watch TV, especially for news, but from my observation, Fox and MSNBC aside, I'd say the media is pretty status quo/establishmentarian. I think the OP is pretty accurate.

[El Barto]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers. 

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly. 

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

I guess I misinterpreted you because I thought you were saying the media is equally yolked? I think that is far from the case.

I don't know what Yolked means, but I did say that I think they balance out pretty evenly.  If you were to put all of the outlets on a seesaw, I suspect that it'd stay pretty balanced.

[eric42434224]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers. 

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly. 

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

I guess I misinterpreted you because I thought you were saying the media is equally yolked? I think that is far from the case.

I don't know what Yolked means, but I did say that I think they balance out pretty evenly.  If you were to put all of the outlets on a seesaw, I suspect that it'd stay pretty balanced.

That actually makes the most sense....especially from a business point of view.  As the country is essentially split politically, so will the businesses that serve the public be split.  it just doesnt make sense to have the media be extremely slanted to one ideology unless the population is slanted to that degree.  It just doesnt pass the common sense test that the media is so biased one way or the other.  Individual outlets for sure....but not as a whole.

[Adami]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers. 

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly. 

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

I guess I misinterpreted you because I thought you were saying the media is equally yolked? I think that is far from the case.

I don't know what Yolked means,

According to urban dictionary, it means having large muscles.

[MetalMike06]

To add to my post, the media's job is to make us wonder, "Who would you rather have as President? Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton?" 

[Scheavo]

As a whole? No.

And actually, as far as news reporting goes, they're all pretty neutral. Where you get bias is from the commentators; Glenn Beck and the like. They don't report the news, they give their take on it. Even FOX, on raw news reporting, is pretty neutral.

Yes...EXTREMELY!

OP asks why or why not. Why do you think it is?

Fox is most certainly bias in there reporting. I don't think that makes them liars but they certainly are always going to cater to there viewers just as msnbc does, and goof balls like Bill Maher on HBO. You understand your demographic and you try to appeal to it.

Well, I think Fox does take it a leap farther than other news organization. To equivocate Fox with MSNBC is true in some ways, but ignores the methods Fox employs.

I think a guy like Jon Stewart is actually quite fair in his comedic approach to politics, where as Maher is a fool.

More people need to watch the Daily Show, especially Fox viewers. I wish I could somehow force the Daily Show to air at like 8pm on Fox News.

Most news is not fair and balanced, its very liberal.

See, I just don't get this. The stories that are covered, how they are covered, etc, is not liberal. I say this as a liberal who follows the news, and am often angered at how little coverage liberal issues actually get. If you follow the social dialogue that occurs in this country, that entire discussion is not a liberal discussion. The stories which are covered, how the discussion progresses, etc, are not liberal - meaning, what people take away from the media is not a liberal slant.

Tell me a news outlet besides Fox that isn't in the tank for the president?

What do you mean "in the tank for"? Liberals have attacked Obama for many things he done, an rightfully so, and they've done it on MSNBC. I remember a "special comment' by Keith Olbermann aimed directly at Obama. Liberals aren't afraid to criticize Obama, whereas Fox News like never criticizes a Republican.

Luckily there is a Fox news or the brainwashing of America would be complete.

Fox News does way more brainwashing then any other news source. It's inception was to "combat" the "liberal media," which makes it inherently more biased then a media which is biased due to the nature of existence. I recommend watching "Out Foxed" sometime, I think its on Netflix.

[Tick]

I suspect this is going to be divided into the no camp and the fox viewers. 

Personally, I'd say that the media covers a large spectrum.  There are plenty on both sides of the fulcrum, and outlets on both sides often report fairly neutrally.  So it'd be fair to say that there is some liberal media and some conservative media,  but all in all, I'd say they balance out pretty evenly. 

Why don't at least be fair when mentioning the Conservative slant of Fox news. You don't want to add that msnbc is completely liberal?
Seriously, you want to tell me Chris Mathews is unbiased?
How about Katey Couric at CBS. You want to tell me she is unbiased as well?
How about ABC news. There not liberal?

Please folks, lets keep it real huh?

WTF?  Not only did I suggest an equal amount of liberal bias, I also suggested that the conservative side was often impartial.

I guess I misinterpreted you because I thought you were saying the media is equally yolked? I think that is far from the case.

I don't know what Yolked means,

According to urban dictionary, it means having large muscles.

It means unbalanced.

[eric42434224]

Equally Yolked

A Christian dating service