by WeaponOfMassInstruction » Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:12 am
Shemp-
By your statement above, I'd surmise that you are yet another Liberal who is criticizing what Bernie wrote without the benefit of having read any of his books. You partially mischaracterize what Bernie refers to when he accuses the MSM of bias. It pains me that someone is soooo close to getting it and yet falls short.
You're absolutely correct that laziness does factor into the equation. Bernie points out that reporters for the alphabet television networks tend to blindly follow the New York Times' position on a given issue. That should be unacceptable to anyone with pretensions of being a true journalist...but it sure does make meeting deadlines much easier.
However, had you read Bias and/or Arrogance, you'd see that it goes beyond mere laziness- though that is bad enough. Read Bernie's op-ed to the Wall Street Journal critiquing an on-air piece by reporter Eric Ensberg at CBS. Ensberg crossed the line from straight news reporting to editorializing by referring to a major agenda issue from a major candidate for President as a "scheme" and "elixir". Those are perjorative terms and have no place (unless you're quoting) in an objective news story.
Bernie also points out how subtle the bias can be. His example of the Clinton Impeachment hearings is an inspired choice. He quotes Peter Jennings as consistently referring to Republicans by party affiliation and ideological leaning ("conservative", "strongly conservative", "very determined conservative". However, when it comes to liberal Democrat Senators, they are identified only by the state which they represent- NOT by party or ideology. Why did Jennings feel it was necessary to be so explicit in his description of one group of Senators and not the other? Either both are important to the issue at hand or neither are.
You'd do well to read his books and see that Bernie is not an idealog nor is he excessively partisan, as many of his detractors seem to want you to believe. Bernie just asks that both sides be treated with equal courtesy and respect...and that shouldn't be too much to ask.
"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."
William F. Buckley, Jr.