Comments on Mac na h'Eireann: It's the Money Stupid....

As a student of the media and former DJ (hopefully...

2008-09-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

As a student of the media and former DJ (hopefully future again too), I believe you have to take a look at something not mentioned in your post, though you raise all accurate points save one.

There are, indeed, MORE liberals in the media than in the mainstream. I believe the last count (I saw) was near 80% registered Democrats? Though that data's over a decade old by now. Still, much higher than even public education teachers. My observations at school of my instructors seems to say "Yeah that's mostly true" (I won't count students as that's disproportionate automatically).

Something new to add to the equation, and something anyone in the media will tell you, IF they're honest: It takes an ego to be in the business. It DOES, it takes a person who isn't afraid to say why they're better than the next guy. Material is stolen constantly between broadcasters in an effort to dull the competition within days of when you heard it (contrasting to, say, a business that might want to see if a strategy is PROFITABLE first, we just do it to do something new).

Now combine these two factors. Massive egos, plus a predominant Democratic alignment. Well, why WOULDN'T the Dan Rathers and the Walter Cronkites and the Boll O'Reilly's know better than anyone else? In their own minds they don't see how. Those hicks who lean the other direction just don't know any better.

We are taught in our journalism courses that "fairness" simply means "did you try to present the other side". It's OKAY, by journalistic ethics, to do a story ENTIRELY about Barack Obama taking a stance on poverty, and giving John McCain a paragraph or two. It's what we are taught, by industry professionals, and it's what I presume has been taught, if anything was taught at all.

And of course, whenever the teachers wish to discuss media bias, 9 times outta 10 it's Bill O'Reilly's smug mug on the screen.

Whereas at your place of work, wherever that may be, it's probably company policy to leave politics at the door, in the media the very nature of the job makes that impossible. And when your other coworkers hate you, it makes works very hard.

Not to detract from your points, I was just adding a new factor.

Yahootie- Your logic is sound however, the reality...

2008-09-08T12:58:00.000-04:00

Yahootie- Your logic is sound however, the reality of the current situation dictates a different outcome. Perhaps my failure to use the proper tense caused a bit of confusion but I thought that the reasoning and examples proved the point adequately. Evidently not.

To Boost ratings and readership, the MSM has made an Icon out of Barack Obama. As this buzz starts to circulate and more people begin to tune in the snowball effect begins in full. This has already occurred, the media outlets are looking ahead as well as at today's ratings, they have seen a marked boost in sales since the advent of the persona Barack and are greedily anticipating the next stage. This is the point I was attempting to convey but mayhap I left some in the dark on that subject.

As to being a Republican who appreciates those who create jobs and foster our economy you are dead on. However, I also have a wee thing called "Standards" and those standards must be kept to have my support. If you call yourself a News Program than that is what you as a business should produce. If you are a hospital that can generate more jobs a greater revenue for the stockholders do you start performing unneeded surgeries? No matter that it is morally wrong? By your own reasoning you are saying that so long as jobs are produced then no wrong can come of it. Do you not see the failure and fault of such a shortsighted stance? I for one believe that job creation and a free market are of great importance, however if it can only come about by lowering the basic standards of decency and fair play, then I say it is not good for our country or economy. Drug dealers employ lots of people too, do you think they should be given license simply because of that fact?

Anonymous- Your not seeing the real point but from someone who thinks that John Stewart of Comedy Central as a newscaster I am not much surprised.

Read slowly.....

John Stewart, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, are not part of the Mainstream Media. They are commentators, and entertainers only. Thus John Stewart being broadcast on such a serious network as Comedy central. So your link merely points out Commentators taking shots at one another and ignores the real story which is the Propaganda machine that the major networks have foisted upon us as a nation.

Try again....

Slainte'
Blighter

If you want proof of the liberal bias in the media...

2008-09-05T12:59:00.000-04:00

If you want proof of the liberal bias in the media, just look at this:
http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2008/09/jon-stewart-ann.html

How dare they treat the Republican party that way?

If your contention that fewer and fewer people are...

2008-09-05T09:33:00.000-04:00

If your contention that fewer and fewer people are getting their information from the big media outlets is true, it stands to reason that fewer and fewer people are influenced by them. So the networks attempt to promote Obama would all be for naught. Secondly, as a Republican, shouldn't you be praising the networks for finding a way to generate revenue in this current economic climate? Free market baby!