Liberal bias -- I don't believe it

[Mathematician]

I won't deny there are liberal media outlets, but I would like to know where I can refresh myself with all this liberal bias everyone likes to talk about. I see about an equal share of bias all-around the board. If anyone should complain, it should be the libertarians and communists.

 

[lilithu]

I won't deny there are liberal media outlets, but I would like to know where I can refresh myself with all this liberal bias everyone likes to talk about.

It's very simple. You make a claim that there is liberal bias. And then you keep claiming it. And when someone asks you for evidence, you accuse them of being in denial about the liberal bias. And then you keep claiming it.

 

[Sunstone]

It seems to me the point in screaming "liberal bias" is to justify ignoring whatever there is in the news that one doesn't like.

 

[Ody]

We all carry our flavor differences rather highly don't we? Like kids bickering over a sports game.

 

[doppelganger]

First principle of evaluating bias: "Follow the money." Who ultimately controls the content of a particular message? What is that person's economic interest?

When you answer those two questions, you'll find out in what direction the bias truly lies.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

I won't deny there are liberal media outlets, but I would like to know where I can refresh myself with all this liberal bias everyone likes to talk about. I see about an equal share of bias all-around the board. If anyone should complain, it should be the libertarians and communists.

I agree. In fact, in studies of News outlets and the political leanings of their papers, researchers discovered that papers are as liberal or conservative as the population it is distributed to. The New York Times owns many smaller newspapers that have a conservative bias. Bias is a part of the product and the product is marketed. As long as there is a market for liberal and conservative bias, such bias will be produced. So, it would make sense to think that there is slightly more liberal bias at present, as (unless I'm mistaken) there are currently more liberals than conservatives. Thus, a slightly larger market for liberal bias. But, all in all, I'm sure its even.

They even found that the language used in these newspapers directly corresponds to the language used by Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.

I usually read international news sources. They have just as much bias, but they use many more facts in their reporting.

 

[michel]

I agree. In fact, in studies of News outlets and the political leanings of their papers, researchers discovered that papers are as liberal or conservative as the population it is distributed to. The New York Times owns many smaller newspapers that have a conservative bias. Bias is a part of the product and the product is marketed. As long as there is a market for liberal and conservative bias, such bias will be produced. So, it would make sense to think that there is slightly more liberal bias at present, as (unless I'm mistaken) there are currently more liberals than conservatives. Thus, a slightly larger market for liberal bias. But, all in all, I'm sure its even.

They even found that the language used in these newspapers directly corresponds to the language used by Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.

I usually read international news sources. They have just as much bias, but they use many more facts in their reporting.

We see much the same here, in the U.K. I must admit that I no longer read newspapers (because I can read the news online), but I used to have to swap from paper to paper everytime the Editor changed (because the editors tend to have their own agendas).

 

[Valjean]

We see much the same here, in the U.K. I must admit that I no longer read newspapers (because I can read the news online), but I used to have to swap from paper to paper everytime the Editor changed (because the editors tend to have their own agendas).

Well, as long as you can still find the page three girls online....

 

[Radio Frequency X]

We see much the same here, in the U.K. I must admit that I no longer read newspapers (because I can read the news online), but I used to have to swap from paper to paper everytime the Editor changed (because the editors tend to have their own agendas).

The job of every news company is to sell as many of their papers or advertisement space as possible. Their agenda tends to be making money. The question is, which political market do they go after? Fox News is successful because the tapped into a large and untapped population. (though I think their popularity is decreasing as conservatives get bored with the nonsense Fox News puts on).

 

[Booko]

It's very simple. You make a claim that there is liberal bias. And then you keep claiming it. And when someone asks you for evidence, you accuse them of being in denial about the liberal bias. And then you keep claiming it.

It sounds rather like the technique popularized by Himmler. :sarcastic

It's a great smoke screen to keep the Great Unwashed from realizing that the real bis is corporate, and that our oligarchy is happily manipulating us for their own interests.

We've decided to homeschool our daughter for the last two years of her grade school. And we've already decided on 2 lesson plans.

One project for American History will involve understanding concepts in Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent" (there's an interview version on Netflix that is more accessible) and learning to identify techniques as used in media.

The other, which applies to Social Studies and mathematics together, is a fine and amusing little book that should be required reading in all schools: "How to Lie With Statistics."

We figure the most important thing we could do for her education is further her critical thinking skills.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Goering said and he should know...

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

And I might add, with any message you want to put out.

 

[Paladin]

It sounds rather like the technique popularized by Himmler. :sarcastic

It's a great smoke screen to keep the Great Unwashed from realizing that the real bis is corporate, and that our oligarchy is happily manipulating us for their own interests.

We've decided to homeschool our daughter for the last two years of her grade school. And we've already decided on 2 lesson plans.

One project for American History will involve understanding concepts in Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent" (there's an interview version on Netflix that is more accessible) and learning to identify techniques as used in media.

The other, which applies to Social Studies and mathematics together, is a fine and amusing little book that should be required reading in all schools: "How to Lie With Statistics."

We figure the most important thing we could do for her education is further her critical thinking skills.

Excellent choice Booko, this is a great work, and something I wish more people could see.

 

[doppelganger]

The job of every news company is to sell as many of their papers or advertisement space as possible. Their agenda tends to be making money. The question is, which political market do they go after? Fox News is successful because the tapped into a large and untapped population. (though I think their popularity is decreasing as conservatives get bored with the nonsense Fox News puts on).

The question is what message do their advertisers want to sell. They control the message.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

The question is what message do their advertisers want to sell. They control the message.

Not really. They have the option of choosing the market. If conservatives want to hear "X", then a conservative station or paper gives them "X". If companies want to advertise to conservatives, they advertise on that station or paper. They don't control the message. The consumers do.

 

[greatcalgarian]

Well, as long as you can still find the page three girls online....

I miss that one since I left London 30 years ago.

 

[love]

Wrong thread

 

[doppelganger]

They don't control the message. The consumers do.

Provided the message is conducive to some advertisers. They then choose the message by buying the ad time. They control the purse strings.

Some advertisers know they'll sell better to people who like certain messages.

"Liberal" and "conservative" are just another form of "branding" in that sense - two variations on the same thing.

But some messages won't be acceptable to any advertiser.