Fair and Balanced

[AndyMan 7]

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As you know the the BBC has many reporters, and many stories, and not ALL of them have to support the Governments decisions.

I think you've just won the "understatement of the year award".

Much like the CBC in Canada, the BBC is perhaps the single biggest critic of the english government. The occaisions that the BBC editorials agree with government policy are very few and far between. To even suggest that the BBC are lackeys of 10 Downing street is rediculous.

_Am

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You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[kiltboy 0]

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....That we know of...

I trust you were joking..........

For those that are a bit confused on the matter here's a starting point from the UK government web page

David

http://www.culture.gov.uk/broadcasting/QuickLinks/f_a_q/faq1.htm?properties=%2C%2Fbroadcasting%2FQuickLinks%2Ff%5Fa%5Fq%2Fdefault%2C&month=

Broadcasting in the United Kingdom is based around the basic principle that the broadcasting authorities - the BBC, the Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority and S4C (the Welsh fourth channel) - are independent of the Government. This means that the BBC, not the Government, is responsible for its day to day business.
The BBC's governing instruments, the Royal Charter and Agreement, place broad obligations on the Corporation in respect of the number of its television and radio services, objectives, programme content and standards. Within this framework detailed decisions on programme content and scheduling are a matter for the BBC alone, reflecting its editorial independence. The Government has no authority to intervene in matters of this kind.
It is the responsibility of the BBC Board of Governors to ensure that the BBC meets its obligations as set out in the Charter and Agreement of 1996. If you have not already done so, you may wish to write to Gavyn Davies, Chairman, BBC Broadcasting House, London, W1A 1AA with your comments or concerns.

[Malev 0]

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To even suggest that the BBC are lackeys of 10 Downing street is rediculous.

Exactly. To anyone who understands the BBC/Government relationship, it is just a totally off-the-wall suggestion. Unfortunately it that the posters accusing the BBC of being a government mouthpiece just don't understand what they are talking about.

[turtlespeed 226]

No, I wasn't 100% serious.

I do think that the papers, TV, or radio media, ALL OF THEM are all politically biased in some way. Fox is just the best example of being the closest to the middle of the road.

It is impossible to keep opinion based reporting from happening. The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things. Just as Rush Limbaugh is as right as it gets. But why not admit it?

Why not say, OK, I'm a fan of the left, or right way of thinking, so take that into consideration as you read this.

The human psyche will try to influence others, it is just built that way. It's called nuro-linguistic programming.

Why not have all reporters list their affiliation along with their name, like the politicians do, after all, is a reporter all that different than a politician?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Remster 30]

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Fox is just the best example of being the closest to the middle of the road.

Are you being serious again? If so, man, I'm gonna have trouble taking you seriously!

Remster

[jfields 0]

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The fact that a non-left-leaning network has come into the marketplace and done extremely well is enraging to them. The fact that left-leaning news sources no longer have total control of the news agenda is something the left simply cannot stand. And what the left can neither stand for nor refute, they must attack.

Here is where I think you are off base.

I don't care if a far-right news channel does fine. They have the right to do it if they want and if the market supports it. That doesn't mean that everything they say is correct.

The "left-leaning news" never had total control over the news agenda, nor was that ever an reasonable possibility. We have way too many media outlets and too free a system for that. While it is fine for Fox to lean far to the right, don't claim it is in some role as a freedom-fighter for opressed Republicans everywhere.

All "Lefties" don't just choose to pick holes in coverage by Fox because they are on the right. Mostly, it is done when they are just wrong. I'll take issue with left-leaning organizations (like the Washington Post) as well, when they are wrong. It is when the ideology, left, right or otherwise, takes precedence over facts and rationality that people make first-class asses out of themselves.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

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I hear Al Jazeera (sp?) is fair and balanced.

A statement like that just shows the ignorance many people feel the US has.

Just by the mere fact that the news is being gatherred and reported by human beings precludes the fair and balanced. Hence, you look for multiple sources from multiple countries to get a fair and balanced view for yourself.

[Guest]

Al Franken is an asshat. To call him a "humorist" is really stretching things, and not just because of his political bent, either.

He was absolutely NOT funny at all, even in the slightest, when I saw him on SNL.

That being said, I didn't even know the jackass had a new book out until the story about Fox's suit. I wouldn't have read it anyway, because Franken has absolutely no skill or talent at all. I think he's gotten by because he has relatives in show biz who are better and more successful than he is.

However, this silliness served only to give him publicity and sales he didn't deserve. He's not the bonehead in this. The suits at Fox should have known better.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[jfields 0]

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The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things.

You keep repeating this idea as a fact. Prove it.

[kiltboy 0]

I will agree with you that there is some biased reporting out there based on the journalist's own thoughts agenda.

I do however, believe that you do not need to support all aspects of a party (left/right/up/down), that you can happily take a politician to task when you believe that they are wrong and support the same politician when you believe they are correct.

Martin Bell (former journalist and MP) wrote a piece about it that also highlights some of the bias in the UK press. I thought it was a fair piece and a pretty balanced point of view.

http://www.sundayherald.com/36117

David

[rehmwa 2]

1 - for government funded 'media' I'm thinking the BBC has NPR beat out for fairness.

2 - Fox is about as fair and balanced as any other news source I've seen. That doesn't mean every single program, just an overall impression. I like hearing facts and not just spin, I don't get that from other news sources.

3 - I agree we have 'left', more left, extreme left news. And then there's Fox exploring all sides.

4 - Rush is for entertainment only - if you like that kind of thing. I don't.

5 - O'Reilly is for real. His positions are obvious (i.e., not hidden), but he lets his guests speak until they start getting subjective or start spewing nonsense - then they have to stop and reset. Liberals get upset at his show, because he won't allow emotional arguments and many times, liberal positions have no substance, only 'feelings'. I can say the same thing about many pro-lifers (not all, but many).

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[turtlespeed 226]

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The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things.

You keep repeating this idea as a fact. Prove it.

Does anyone else think that that woudl be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[SkyDekker 1,465]

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Does anyone else think that that woudl be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?

Yes it is necessary.

Second, it would not be overstating the obvious, but proving an idea you are presenting.

[jfields 0]

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The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things.
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You keep repeating this idea as a fact. Prove it.
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Does anyone else think that that woudl be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?

If I were to say, "It is obvious that all Republicans are frothing idiots that have been bitten by rabid dogs", would that make it true? No. It wouldn't. You are saying the entire national media leans far to the left, but then refuse to show any proof. Substantiate your assertion with some facts.

You go on about the ways in which Fox is essentially counterbalancing an existing left-leaning media conspiracy. Before we can deal with any individual media outlet's particular slant, we have to have a yardstick of where the center is and a way to judge. If it is so clear, it should be easy for you to document with indisputable facts.

[rehmwa 2]

be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?
...Substantiate your assertion with some facts.

...way to judge. If it is so clear, it should be easy for you to document with indisputable facts.

[jfields 0]

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You guys are funny. Political leaning are subjective positions. There are no 'indisputable facts' in this area.

What's normal in California, is scarily left in Utah, etc. etc.

He was saying that the media infrastructure of the entire country (not just a county or state) is far to the left. I just called him on it and asked for some proof of what I considered a silly statement for a number of reasons. First, like you said, it is regional. Second, if you take all the media in the country combined, it would, by definition, be considered average at any given time, since it includes everything. Lastly, he attributed specific actions and motives to the "left-leaning media", such as conspiratorial plotting and attacking. Those specific accusations need to be backed up with some facts to be taken seriously.

[lawrocket 3]

I think some things are fair to say.

There is a perception amojng those on the right that the national media is biased towards the left. CNN dominated cable news for a long time, and the political beliefs of Ted Turner were bound to be implicated. Furthermore, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather were the lead anchors for the two most popular national news shows. Both of their political leanings are rather well known.

Fox News came along and actively marketed itself as providing a different voice - "fair and balanced." Whatever it was, it is certainly to the right of CNN.

Bill O'Reilley's sho was also different from Larry King or any of the other shows out there. Bill O'Reilly steadfastly refused to allow ANYONE to escape without answering the question asked. He threw hardball questions at everyone, and expected the answers to be given in a straightforward way.

That is why I like O'Reilly. That is also why I like Chris Matthews. No matter who is being questioned, they will ensure that the answers are given.

Fox News started this concept. Cut the shit, and give us the facts. They called it "fair and balanced."

Correct or not, they were different. And they cut dramatically into CNN's audience. Apparently, Americans think it is...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[jfields 0]

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There is a perception amojng those on the right that the national media is biased towards the left.

That is totally fine. That is a very different statement than the one that was made earlier. I agree with you. The right probably does see it that way. That is not saying that it is an indisputable fact.

While I don't generally like Fox news, I have no problem with their existence. The more media outlets we have, the better. That way, people can choose, and have a wider range of opinions to factor into their own decisions.

[kallend 2,146]

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and the political beliefs of Ted Turner were bound to be implicated. .

Given a choice of whom to believe between Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch, I'd choose Turner 9 days out of 10.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rehmwa 2]

jf - tongue in cheek here - I'm right of most of the the news out there, therefore from my viewpoint, the media all leans left ('cept Fox). Therefore, the media does lean left. I am the undisputed expert on my political viewpoints. Q.E.D.

Actually, there is a lot more complaints about left leaning news than right. Only people generally acknowledged at wacko left (Hillary, Micheal Moore, Howard Dean) complain about a 'right wing' news media. How about you establish a poll and see where DZ.com posters are (note that lots of college students, newbies and California/Florida types so expect some skewing).

again, O'Reilly's rules are good. Answer the question, speak to facts, keep empty oratory and emotion out of it. I'd appreciate that from the more left reporters when I see it.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[redtwiga 0]

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Actually, there is a lot more complaints about left leaning news than right. Only people generally acknowledged at wacko left (Hillary, Micheal Moore, Howard Dean) complain about a 'right wing' news media. How about you establish a poll and see where DZ.com posters are (note that lots of college students, newbies and California/Florida types so expect some skewing).

Way to cover your ass no matter the outcome. Out of curiosity, why do people who are new to skydiving have less valid opinions? Why does getting a college education invalidate your views? Why does being from California or Florida make your credibility questionable? Your biases are disturbing at the very least.

[billvon 3,107]

>Fox is just the best example of being the closest to the middle of the road.

Conservatives think Fox is middle of the road, liberals think NPR is middle of the road. Nothing new. Most people consider themselves to be pretty reasonable, middle of the road people, so whatever news outlet most agrees with their views must be closest to the middle of the road.

But in terms of FOX - can you list a major news outlet that is further right than they are? I've found that if you find something you think is middle of the road, and you look to the right (or to the left) and there's _nothing_there_ they may not be as middle of the road as you think they are.

[SkydiverRick 0]

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The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things.

You keep repeating this idea as a fact. Prove it.

Does anyone else think that that woudl be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?

Why waste time proving the obvious?

never pull low......unless you are

[billvon 3,107]

>Al Franken is an asshat. To call him a "humorist" is really stretching things . . .

Well, I thought the same thing about Garrett Morris, and I still don't get Jim Carrey. To each their own.

> . . .because Franken has absolutely no skill or talent at all.

On a capitalist scale, he has a tremendous amount of skill. The most basic skill there is in our society is being able to make money, whether it's pumping out portapotties, designing cellphones or writing controversial books.

[Remster 30]

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The press, no matter what media they are involved in, demographically leans to the leftie side of things.

You keep repeating this idea as a fact. Prove it.

Does anyone else think that that woudl be really neccessary? Why should I have to overstate the obvious?

Why waste time proving the obvious?

Wow... quoting all this and making that statement sure proved it to me! Thanks for the analysis.

Remster