The Republicans screamed foul play over the biased, pro-Obama, MSM coverage of the presidential campaigns and there is a natural tendency to shrug and think, well, they would, wouldn't they? However, today we have confirmation (of 'the bleedin' obvious'!) in the case of The Washington Post from an impeccable source - its own ombudsman, Mrs. Deborah Howell:
"The op-ed page ran far more laudatory opinion pieces on Obama, 32, than on Sen. John McCain, 13. There were far more negative pieces (58) about McCain than there were about Obama (32), and Obama got the editorial board's endorsement. The Post has several conservative columnists, but not all were gung-ho about McCain."
"One gaping hole in coverage involved Joe Biden, Obama's running mate. When Gov. Sarah Palin was nominated for vice president, reporters were booking the next flight to Alaska. Some readers thought The Post went over Palin with a fine-tooth comb and neglected Biden. They are right; it was a serious omission."
I'm not sure that it matters too much. In a country with a free press editors should be free to take what line they like and if anyone in 'Main Street, USA' thinks the likes of The Washington Post is anything other than liberal, they deserve to waste the money the paper costs them. I understand that, by and large, talk radio in the States is overwhelmingly Republican, so you pays your money and you takes your choice. However, I view with extreme suspicion suggestions from the Democrats for legislation to govern talk radio in order to ensure what they call 'fair coverage'. If it's required for Rush Limbaugh, it's obviously required for The Washington Post, and other newspapers, as well.
The best use for Mrs. Howell's report would be to make it a large part of the syllabus in colleges teaching graduate journalists - but I won't hold my breath! Much worse than any of this is the bile-inducing stupidity and cant of the BBC which seriously believes that it is high-minded, neutral and fair and whose wretched output I am forced to pay for through my taxes. At least the Yanks can cut up The Washington Post and use it for toilet paper in these straitened times. All I can do is switch my TV to Sky News, and my radio to 'TOORK SPOORT' which does achieve a degree of neutrality even if it is only between the merits or otherwise of Manchester United versus Arsenal! (Yes, yes, I know its infantile, trivial dross but it makes me smile. When did John 'Interrupter' Humphries last make you laugh?)
In terms of breaking news, that ranks right up there with "The sun is hot" and "Rainfall linked to wetness".
Posted by: Cris Cohen | Sunday, 09 November 2008 at 16:19
Cris, welcome to Duff & Nonsense. Of course, you're right, it isn't very startling to those of us with at least half a brain but I am constantly surprised at the number of otherwise sentient humans who appear to have no brain at all and to whom this will come as a shocking revelation which they will vehemently deny. Hey-ho!
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 09 November 2008 at 16:33
"I am forced to pay for through my taxes"
You are not 'forced to pay for' -- you have a choice of throwing your telly oot the window and being telly (and radio) free.
And even if you were 'forced to pay for' ... that would also be a good thing. Collective farming is also an advance on feudal systems of agriculture.
truefax.
Posted by: Will | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 00:48
Will, welcome! But what are you doing over here, you wretched Marxist tyke, you? You should be more careful at your age, you might catch a nasty dose of capitalism.
I am forced to pay that wretched TV tax because I want to watch other stations. Nothing on earth would induce me to watch the 'Baghdad Broadcasting Company'.
"Collective farming is also an advance on feudal systems of agriculture. truefax"
More like 'bollfax'! The only difference was a change in ownership, and please don't tell me that working for the government is better than working for an Earl.
And I do wish you would stick to the really important issues, like, will Newcastle get in the top six of the Champion's League next season?
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 14:26