| In an independent survey in 2005, 70% of the Main | | | | more anti-government, more anti-establishment. They |
| Stream Media (MSM) admitted to being Liberal in their | | | | brought their leanings into local newsrooms across |
| leanings. MSM is comprised of the so-called Big-3 | | | | the country, perfected their style and moved into |
| Networks: CBS, ABC, and NBC. | | | | bigger and bigger media markets. How do I know |
| How did Media go from no one knowing the political | | | | this? I was there as far back as 1969. |
| and social leanings of Reporters and Anchors to | | | | What is the proof? |
| becoming a soapbox for personal politics? | | | | Take the Dan Rather fiasco for example. He aired |
| I just watched "American Masters" on PBS. It was all | | | | and stood behind falsified documents. If it had not |
| about Walter Cronkite's career in journalism. It was | | | | been for the internet blogs, the documents would |
| clear that Cronkite was the journalist's journalist, one | | | | have gone unchallenged and aired as "fact". Rather |
| of a kind, fair and balanced. Most of all, his personal | | | | had to resign and, under pressure, several heads |
| politics were a mystery. | | | | rolled at C.B.S.including that of the Producer, who said |
| I can attest to this as well. As an Anchor for a CBS | | | | she chose a journalism career to have an impact on |
| affiliate I had two opportunities to sit and talk with | | | | society and government. |
| Mr. Cronkite. During those conversations, neither of | | | | "60 Minutes" is another example. Since creator Don |
| us spoke of our personal political views. Mr. Cronkite | | | | Hewitt retired, there has been a shift away from |
| believed that he should never be the focus, that the | | | | balanced reporting, except for Mike Wallace of |
| stories he was presenting should be. He was right | | | | course. He remains a man of integrity, in my view. |
| then, and, now. | | | | However,60 Minutes Commentator Andy Rooney |
| So, what has happened in MSM? | | | | suddenly went from satirical to nasty and has steadily |
| Because of declining viewership and the popularity of | | | | attacked the President of the United States. |
| reality television, MSM have concluded that "if it | | | | A final example is Tim Russert who produces and |
| bleeds, it leads" and that we want to be entertained | | | | Anchors "Meet the Press". He grills Republicans while |
| with shocking and graphic stories. | | | | allowing Democrats to slide. Recently he took on |
| Competition from internet news sources is also a | | | | Robert Novak over the Valerie Plame scandal. It was |
| factor. But, there is more to this than meets the eye. | | | | pleasing to see Novak beat Russert's game. |
| It's called "advocacy journalism". What is advocacy | | | | My advice? Ignore MSM and find other sources for |
| journalism? | | | | news content. Maybe MSM will finally get the |
| It began rearing its ugly head in the mid-70's. Our | | | | message and the pendulum will swing back to the |
| culture shifted as a new breed began graduating | | | | middle. |
| from journalism schools. They were more Liberal, | | | | |