Posted on 11/05/2008 2:59:02 PM PST by Chet 99
America's irresponsible media
Evan Lips
Published 05 November 2008
A Republican bewails the lack of scrutiny applied to Barack Obama during the election campaign and attacks the 'liberal' tendencies of the US media
How I would have loved to have had my ear against the door outside of the Boston Globe’s conference room on the morning of October 30th.
“A British paper discovered that Barack Obama’s aunt is living in squalor in a slum in South Boston.”
“A British paper!?!?”
The Boston Globe, headquartered in South Boston, had the story in its back yard. Yet it was the Times Online that first broke the news that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s aunt is living illegally in the US despite being served a deportation order several years ago.
She has collected welfare while managing to contribute – illegally - $260 to her nephew’s campaign.
This issue might seem trite, given the millions that both candidates have amassed during months of campaigning. But it begs a bigger question – where are the priorities for the American media?
Reporting centered on emotion and not based on researching the facts is alarming. But it is nothing new to this presidential election. There have been several instances where the media – confronted with relevant news regarding Barack Obama – has decided simply to remain silent.
It’s appalling to think that the press, an institution defended in the United States Constitution (The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom...of the press.") has squelched its own freedoms in order to help their candidate win – Barack Obama.
It’s no secret that the America mainstream media has a decidedly liberal bent to it. And this election may serve as “exhibit A.”
Consider several startling instances:
The Los Angeles Times is in possession of a 2003 tape where Senator Obama paid tribute with Palestinian scholar Rashid Khalidi at a private event. The Times is refusing to allow the pubic to review the tape claiming that they promised anonymity to the source that provided them with the tape. Khalidi served as a spokesman for the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1970s. Barack Obama had three reporters from newspapers that had endorsed John McCain removed from the campaign jet. Obama has built a campaign around inclusiveness and bringing people together. Where was the outrage from the rest of the media? Is this what we can expect if he wins? Statements made by Obama appear to have had expiration dates on them, meaning that as soon as he contradicts himself, the media covers its mouth. On March 18, 2008, Obama said, “I could no more disown Jeremiah Wright than I could disown my own grandmother.” As soon as Reverend Wright became an issue, Obama cut off all ties to Wright. Yet contradictions such as this have largely been ignored.
In late October, the non-partisan Pew Center for Media Research reported significant bias in the way major news media has covered the campaign.
Pew reviewed hundreds of TV and print news reports about the candidates. The results were disturbing.
Fifty-seven percent of all stories about McCain were negative, compared to 29 percent of stories about Obama; just 14 percent of McCain stories were clearly positive, compared to 36 percent of Obama stories. Twenty-nine percent of McCain stories were neutral, compared to 35 percent of Obama stories.
And maybe the incident here in Boston can serve as an example of America’s decline in objective reporting.
What advantages did the Times Online have over American media giants such as the Boston Globe and the New York Times? The answer appears to be simple - common sense and attentive research.
The key to the story lies in a book that has been read by millions, especially those involved with the Obama campaign. Dreams From My Father, an autobiography, is a story of how the presidential hopeful traced his Kenyan roots and focused his life’s mission.
The American media seems to have ignored the passage indicating that at least one relative of Senator Obama’s had left Kenya and immigrated to America.
At one point in the book, Senator Obama’s half-sister speaks about Africans who had emigrated to the West and presumably disappeared:
“Like our Uncle Omar, in Boston . . . They’ve been lost, you see.”
Lost, kind of like the mainstream media here in the United States. It may have been beneficial to American voters if more British news groups had covered our election.
It disturbs me to think about what other things they would have uncovered.
Anyone doubt that the Boston Globe knew all about auntie.
As of today, we’ve cancelled our local paper subscription.
For “joe the plumber”.
I think that the media is more agenda-driven than irresponsible.
They knew what outcome they wanted and worked like the devil to deliver.
The media played a big part in defeating Republicans but Republicans had more of a roll in it. Democrats didn’t beat the Republicans, Republicans beat Republicans. Time to clean house.
Palin’s clothing was more important than ANYTHING on Obama.
The media is DEAD.
We have to get together on this and choose one, and only one liberal news outlet - like CNN - and send them mail, e-mail, phone them telling them that we aren't going to watch them anymore because of their slant on the news. ALSO, do not visit their websites to get news. The webmasters of these news sites get a count every morning called "Unique Visitors". When you visit CNN.com - that is added to the Unique Visitor in which ADVERTISORS pay attention too.
Seriously everyone, we need to get together on this and figure out WHO NOT TO WATCH AND WHO NOT TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE and hit them between the eyes. We may not take down anyone...but we can get their attention by rattling their cage.
What newspaper?
Long past time for an organized boycott of advertisers.....why is this taking so long?
Yep...its time to get to work on that!! We all said we were after the election. I have a list of names going to ‘investigate’ already. If you hear of it getting off the ground, please let me know. I am looking forward to it!
Pay back is such fun!
The war of ideas will not be won on the Internet, though it certainly may start here.
Consider starting a community newsletter or a newspaper where you live. Tips here from FR in 2003, hope Chad Fairbanks’ post still exists linky:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/986735/posts
I see a great opportunity.
Agree. The media is one pillar we must bring down or humble to some degree. We can’t convert the idiots in the media, but we can hurt them in the pocketbook by hitting their advertisers and letting them know we won’t buy their products as long as they support the XYZ News. If we do enough, they will take notice.
Hope many others are doing the same. We will celebrate as they shut their doors, one by one! Who is John Galt?
Send them an e-mail and tell them that you aren't going to watch them anymore or visit their website. Whatever you do, just stay away from the company that we agee upon.
sw
I actually wrote an article on the media today; sadly, they were the real winners in this election. They know that they can elect someone to the presidency, no matter how unqualified. Frightening.
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