Media Bias: Perceived or Real? To what extent, and where?

[southsider2k5]

more than that, Edwards then was a former senator, former presidential candidate when the story finally came to light. Right now there is a huge election going on, situation in Georgia, situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, how reluctant would you be as an editor to waste precious resources on a sex scandal reported by the enquirer?

 

When the MSM looked at the story all of this was true. The story was out there before that when John Edwards was a Presidential candidate, and it didn't get any play except in the blogs.

[EvilMonkey]

I disagree with you, there is an official style sheet for the AP. I don't think I've ever put affiliation for local politics. State level, yes. But local, even if they affiliate themselves to a party sometimes it's meaningless. Obviously for detroit it is something, but at the local level I've never seen us put party affiliation. I've never seen it on articles of Guiliani or Daley either.

OK, it's not AP, but let's go with the NY Times. When talking about former govenor George Ryan, it takes 4 paragraphs to mention he was a Republican governor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/us/08ryan.html

 

But when talking about current mayor Kwame kilpatrick, the mention it as a 1 line sentance, 3rd to last paragraph. If you are in journalism, you know that most people don't always finish stories, which is why important facts are mentioned early in the story

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/03det...&ei=5087%0A

 

Spokane mayor is sex scandal! First sentance names him as a Republican

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/223201_west06.html

 

AP story about McGreevy, a pretty sorid affair itself, not one mention that he wears a D. Not even a throway line at the end.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/08/...in4333300.shtml

 

Laziness, agenda, both? In the last post about this I linked to 2 stories by the same writer, one about a D and one about an R. Guess where the R was mentioned?

 

I am sure this isn't 'official', but it doesn't mention anything about political designations and how to do them.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2664713/Associat...uide-the-basics

Edited September 3, 2008 by Alpha Dog

[Soxbadger]

The media bias is towards money, yes I said it the media is biased towards making money.

 

Big cities like Chicago, NY, and LA are considered liberal.

 

Does it make sense to be a newspaper in that city and write stories that no one wants to read, or to write stories that sell?

 

[Texsox]

THAT is a great question. The only thing I can ever think of when I wonder about that is the higher education system in America. The university system in this country, especially at the bigger and more prominent schools is VERY liberal, far moreso than even the media is. I would guess there is a connection.

 

I believe it is because there is more value to the GOP as things are now. Any good news for Dems, or bad news for REPs, is dismissed as media bias. Oh poor us plays well in America. And who is explaining the "truth"? Conservative talk radio with layers of 24/7 opinion telling us why the coverage is wrong. It is by far the greatest political strategy that could ever be deployed. I mean that without any shred of hyperbole or Kapherbole ™. It is absolutely brilliant.

[Texsox]

OK, it's not AP, but let's go with the NY Times. When talking about former govenor George Ryan, it takes 4 paragraphs to mention he was a Republican governor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/us/08ryan.html

 

But when talking about current mayor Kwame kilpatrick, the mention it as a 1 line sentance, 3rd to last paragraph. If you are in journalism, you know that most people don't always finish stories, which is why important facts are mentioned early in the story

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/03det...&ei=5087%0A

 

Spokane mayor is sex scandal! First sentance names him as a Republican

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/223201_west06.html

 

AP story about McGreevy, a pretty sorid affair itself, not one mention that he wears a D. Not even a throway line at the end.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/08/...in4333300.shtml

 

Laziness, agenda, both? In the last post about this I linked to 2 stories by the same writer, one about a D and one about an R. Guess where the R was mentioned?

 

I am sure this isn't 'official', but it doesn't mention anything about political designations and how to do them.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2664713/Associat...uide-the-basics

 

See, the style is way more important then what happened. It perfectly deflects attention away from the politicians and what they did or did not do. An intelligent person like Alpha notices this above anything else.

[bmags]

OK, it's not AP, but let's go with the NY Times. When talking about former govenor George Ryan, it takes 4 paragraphs to mention he was a Republican governor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/us/08ryan.html

 

But when talking about current mayor Kwame kilpatrick, the mention it as a 1 line sentance, 3rd to last paragraph. If you are in journalism, you know that most people don't always finish stories, which is why important facts are mentioned early in the story

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/03det...&ei=5087%0A

 

Spokane mayor is sex scandal! First sentance names him as a Republican

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/223201_west06.html

 

AP story about McGreevy, a pretty sorid affair itself, not one mention that he wears a D. Not even a throway line at the end.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/08/...in4333300.shtml

 

Laziness, agenda, both? In the last post about this I linked to 2 stories by the same writer, one about a D and one about an R. Guess where the R was mentioned?

 

I am sure this isn't 'official', but it doesn't mention anything about political designations and how to do them.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2664713/Associat...uide-the-basics

 

Okay. now here's the thing alpha. For one, this would've worked if you used one source (NYTimes), but you spread it out over 4 sources. And the one source with two entries, you mirrored my exact point, state v. local. Individual papers have their own individual styles. Perhaps in Detroit where the city is bigger and more aware of parties for local gov'ts, their paper would acknowledge these attributes.

 

For instance, here's how the seattle times:

 

When a married politician resigns after allegations that he had sex with a young man in an out-of-town hotel room — particularly when he tips off the cops himself — the obvious question is: "What was he thinking?"

 

In the case of state Rep. Richard Curtis, a 48-year-old Republican from La Center, Clark County, no one knows — yet. Curtis, who resigned Wednesday, has declined to elaborate, on the advice of his lawyer.

 

But because cases like his are becoming so familiar, experts in politics, risk-taking behavior and psychology have plenty to say. They recall the indiscretions of former President Bill "I did not have sex with that woman" Clinton; former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who announced on live television in 2004 that he was a "gay American"; and the late Spokane Mayor Jim West, who last year was ousted from office after a scandal involving alleged gay sex.

 

Congressman almost always are identified right after, then the author gives out three examples, two democrats and the spokane mayor, without mentioning parties.

 

Now what's further, with this Jim West character, don't you think it is part of the story that he ROUTINELY voted against gay rights bills yet was in homosexual activity? Don't you think that is part of the story?

 

And further, lets look at the liberal new york times on mcgreevey

 

"Gov. James E. McGreevey of New Jersey disclosed on Thursday that he was gay and had had an affair with another man, and announced that he would resign on Nov. 15, more than a year before his term would have expired.

 

In a somber and unexpected announcement, while his wife and parents stood with him, the governor said his decision to step down from office was prompted by the conclusion that the circumstances surrounding the affair would impair his ability to govern.

 

Aides to the governor, a Democrat, said the affair was with a former aide, Golan Cipel, who was hired by the governor in 2002 as an adviser to the state Office of Homeland Security. He resigned eight months later as a special adviser to the governor, at a salary of $110,000. The aides said Mr. Cipel had threatened to file a lawsuit accusing the governor of sexual harassment."

 

and you are right, that wasn't official.

[EvilMonkey]

See, the style is way more important then what happened. It perfectly deflects attention away from the politicians and what they did or did not do. An intelligent person like Alpha notices this above anything else.

Ah, you joke, because that is all you can do. If it is so unimportant, then why mention it at all? I guess it is just unimportant if it is a D. Maybe that key is just broken? Didn't the Clinton's steal a bunch of W's fromt he WHite House keyboards? Maybe Howard Dean went around to AP and stole all their 'D' keys? Naw, can't be that, or he would be forever known as 'Howar Ean'.

[bmags]

and for real who the hell didn't know mcgreevey was a democrat?

[EvilMonkey]

and for real who the hell didn't know mcgreevey was a democrat?

Most people west of New York?

[bmags]

Most people west of New York?

 

Oh bollocks. Everyone in this forum knows he was a democrat, everyone in this forum is west of new york. The TV, newspaper, radio media all was covering him and all knew about them being democrat.

 

what makes it more relevant when they are republicans with gay sex scandals is that often times they were opponents of gay rights bills. And that's funny. You have to admit.

[bmags]

and what of the post before Alpha Dog?

[EvilMonkey]

and what of the post before Alpha Dog?

Can you post a style sheet, or do you just have your example from Seattle?

[bmags]

I'm looking for my AP style guide, it's not electronic, and that's the hold up.

[EvilMonkey]

Oh bollocks. Everyone in this forum knows he was a democrat, everyone in this forum is west of new york. The TV, newspaper, radio media all was covering him and all knew about them being democrat.

 

what makes it more relevant when they are republicans with gay sex scandals is that often times they were opponents of gay rights bills. And that's funny. You have to admit.

Everyone in this forum may have known, but do people in New York know that Kwane is a Democrat? They sure know Craig is a Republican? Yeah, yeah, that old state vs fed thing again. Show me an official style sheet, I'll shut up (at least about that). I know they have one, but it is like $20 or so, and I am not enriching them one penny.

 

A question, your story about the guy who called the police on himself. What was the outcome? That just sounds like he had some problems.

 

edit I see that you are looking for one. You posted while I was typing. It happens.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Alpha Dog

[Texsox]

Ah, you joke, because that is all you can do. If it is so unimportant, then why mention it at all? I guess it is just unimportant if it is a D. Maybe that key is just broken? Didn't the Clinton's steal a bunch of W's fromt he WHite House keyboards? Maybe Howard Dean went around to AP and stole all their 'D' keys? Naw, can't be that, or he would be forever known as 'Howar Ean'.

 

I wasn't joking. You perfectly emphasized my point. It diverts attention away from what happened and focuses on how it is reported. Exactly what the GOP wants. The identification is mentioned when it is necessary for those readers understanding. It would be silly to mention Richie is a Dem in Chicago. It would be silly to mention McAllen Mayor Cortez's party affiliation because they do not run on a party ticket, but we know he is a Dem.

 

And follow any conservative newspaper and they do the same thing. So I fail to see how that means a liberal bias.

[bmags]

Okay, I can't find mine, but this is an example of why I think local officials probably don't fall under AP style.

 

http://archives.columbiamissourian.com/scr...82_2GF0SLF282.1

 

 

Down towards the bottom it mentions the St. Louis mayor, now when dealing with even state rep's, you see:

 

"We thought that a number higher than 25 percent was good enough for them," said Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, reflecting on the American presence in the Iraqi constitution writing process. "So why isn't it good enough for us?"

Sen. Scott Rupp, R-St. Charles County - was appointed over two Republican women on the Appropriations Committee who had more seniority - Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield, and Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville.

 

It's automatic to identify them. This is AP style, not Missourian, although they might use parenthesis.

 

As far as what happened with the McDonalds shooting. It was pretty interesting. I don't know how much you knew, but so the man was the other guys brother in law. Before the victim was shot, he was at the McDonalds to get his kids. He was in a custody battle with his ex-wife. His brother in law shows up, they get into an argument and his brother-in-law shoots him in the back, then calls the police and waits. These people were from a small town outside Columbia, and, not used to media coverage, their police were more than willing to give up divorce documents. They accused the victim of violence against his wife and threats against the children. In the end, I believe he was charged with murder one, because of premeditation, and then manslaughter and 2nd degree murder. I'm not sure what he's been pinned down on. If you want an interesting story check out Ryan Ferguson's case. It's gotten national coverage because they pinned down a murder case on one other kid because of a dream confession by another. It was surreal. Appeal happend so I should probably check up on that.

[EvilMonkey]

I wasn't joking. You perfectly emphasized my point. It diverts attention away from what happened and focuses on how it is reported. Exactly what the GOP wants. The identification is mentioned when it is necessary for those readers understanding. It would be silly to mention Richie is a Dem in Chicago. It would be silly to mention McAllen Mayor Cortez's party affiliation because they do not run on a party ticket, but we know he is a Dem.

 

And follow any conservative newspaper and they do the same thing. So I fail to see how that means a liberal bias.

So the NY paper should have mentioned the party for both Spokane and Detroit? Funny, they only mentioned one. You are right, in DETROIT, there is not much need to mention that Kwame is a Democrat. Nor Daley in Chicago. And there are a few mayors that are known nationally, like Daley, Rudy (ex-mayor), Bloomburg. But not all of them. Give me the story. the WHOLE story. And if the D or R are unimportant, then don't list them at all.

[bmags]

AP coverage of Kilpatrick, mentioning him as a democrat 3 paragraphs in:

 

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMmCL2Z...E4b9NgD92VCJFG1

 

Governor's hearing to remove Detroit mayor begins

 

messages between the Democratic mayor and his former top aide, Christine Beatty, on city-issued pagers.

 

I deleted most of the text because the Ap is so strict about amount of words you can use without subscription and I don't want the site to get in trouble

Edited September 3, 2008 by bmags

[EvilMonkey]

AP coverage of Kilpatrick, mentioning him as a democrat 3 paragraphs in:

 

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMmCL2Z...E4b9NgD92VCJFG1

 

Governor's hearing to remove Detroit mayor begins

By ED WHITE and COREY WILLIAMS – 1 hour ago

messages between the Democratic mayor and his former top aide, Christine Beatty, on city-issued pagers.

 

I deleted most of the text because the Ap is so strict about amount of words you can use without subscription and I don't want the site to get in trouble

Yeah, I hear they are charging by the WORD for anything over 25. You got 31, if they count their names! Look out!

[DrunkBomber]

Its US magazine. I really don't see how you can make any point one way or another about news media and use them as an example.

I just think US is bad because it literally sits in the checkout lanes at super markets and it draws a lot of attention from people that dont really follow politics. It just seems irresponsible to have a cover like this and the only coverage of Obama is "Why Barack loves Michelle."

[NorthSideSox72]

I just think US is bad because it literally sits in the checkout lanes at super markets and it draws a lot of attention from people that dont really follow politics. It just seems irresponsible to have a cover like this and the only coverage of Obama is "Why Barack loves Michelle."

Maybe more Republicans should start publishing trashy magazines too.

 

[DrunkBomber]

Maybe more Republicans should start publishing trashy magazines too.

Maybe we will!

[kapkomet]

Maybe more Republicans should start publishing trashy magazines too.

 

 

Maybe we will!

Yea, it's called the Limbaugh Letter.

 

[Balta1701]

Yea, it's called the Limbaugh Letter.

And the Washington Times

[kapkomet]

Yep, about the same value, I think.

 

That's why I do like the WSJ - GENERALLY - they report the news and you just decide (Fox cliche aside), although their board tends to lean to the right a bit.