New ammo in the war over media bias

Boston Globe ^ | June 9, 2003 | Cathy Young

[sarcasm]

HE NEVER-ENDING debate over the existence of left-wing bias in the media got a boost a few days ago, with the revelation that the editor of one America's top daily newspapers had evidently joined the ranks of critics of the ''liberal media.'' A leaked memo from Los Angeles Times editor John Carroll discussed ''the perception - and the occasional reality - that the Times is a liberal, `politically correct' newspaper'' and noted that ''occasionally we prove our critics right.'' The specific target of his displeasure was a front-page story about a new Texas measure requiring women who seek abortions to receive counseling about abortion alternatives and abortion's alleged risks. The article, Carroll complained, showed a clear slant in favor of the law's pro-choice critics.

[backhoe]

Here are sources for Media bias:

-Media Research-free e-letter--

-Reed Irvine's Accuracy in Media--

-Citizen's Coalition for Responsible Media--

[Misterioso]

The dispute over media bias is unlikely to be settled any time soon. For the readers and viewers, a strong dose of skepticism toward both sides may be the only healthy response.

This is a good example of the drift to the center of Reason Magazine. The author shamelessly equivocates on the issue of media bias--something that wouldn't have been dreamed of during the earlier days of Reason. Not that they have ever been particularly hard hitting, but they won their spurs as an antidote to the left-leaning press during the '70s and '80s. Now you have the editor fobbing off this pablum as "reasoned" analysis. Far from it.

[Question_Assumptions]

The test is pretty simple. Pick up two known biased publications, one from the left and one from the right (e.g., "The National Review" and "Mother Jones"). Now look at the issues that each is talking about, the focus of the discussion about the issue, and the language used to describe the elements of the issue and each side. Now compare that to a mainstream news story. Which looks closer?