Identifying the Activist Democrats in the Media
That the majority of the American media possesses a bias in favor of Democrats represents a tried and true fact in American politics. Who among the establishment media, however, possesses the strongest bias for the left?
The current political circumstances offer a test that allows us to distinguish between the truly activist liberals in the media verses those who allow their bias to affect their coverage in lesser and more understandable (human) ways.
Hillary Clinton has no chance of winning the nomination. At this point Obama has effectively won the nomination because Hillary cannot win elected delegates and the Democratic superdelegates will not vote for her above Obama after the ringing of hands over the 2000 Florida general election contest.
If the superdelegates elect Hillary the charge of hypocrisy will ring throughout the Democratic membership. Many black Democrats would understandably sit out the election out of a sense of disenfranchisement. Hillary would go into the general election seriously weakened against a Republican who has strong Independent support.
Those in the media know all of this. The question becomes, therefore, who in the media is attempting to aggressively advocate for Obama to head off this possibility? Those who attempt to help Obama likely care more about the Democratic Party’s chances in November than even their own circulation or ratings. The race between Hillary and Obama sells papers.
Certain personalities at MSNBC, for example, have made it their mission to help elect Obama. Others in the major television and print media have done the same. Exceptions to the rule exist, such as the New York Times that advocates for Hillary at the Democratic Party's expense. But for the most part if you want to know who in the media genuinely views their position as a platform for partisan activities just watch how they cover this Democratic contest. If they openly and aggressively advocate for Obama and attack Hillary they are likely less journalists than dedicated Democratic partisans. Genuine journalists love this Democratic contest. Democratic partisans hate it.
The Ref | 3/10/08 | Permalink