Posted by jwelsh1023 on 11/26/2012 2:46:00 PM (view original):
Why is the bias of the media an issue?
I'll take the bait, having been close to the news business for years (my father was a newspaper reporter his entire career).
It is an issue not in and of itself - as we all have a bias that affects the way we see and account for things. In the manner swamp is talking about, it's the intentional bias that slants coverage that is an issue. As an example, my father attended many "agenda meetings" that dictated the manner in which all stories were to be covered if possible. Stories that could further an agenda of the newspaper were favored and encouraged. Perspectives that helped people come to the same conclusion as the editorial board were also encouraged. Headlines were written to draw specific emotion.
Knowing that organizations have an agenda, and also with demographic data of the political persuasion of the media makes it almost impossible to get honest coverage that isn't slanted to a particular agenda. I believe, through observation mostly, that those who would claim there is no bias in the media, or who would say it doesn't matter, probably share a very similar agenda.
Journalism, the way it used to be practiced (mostly), is dead...