It should be no surprise that bias is prevalent in any news outlet. It is human nature to be bias, it’s like preferring one brand of soda over another. However, when it comes to journalism and delivering the news, the facts get lost or disregarded in the opinions of the owners of the media outlet. Take for example, MSNBC, clearly favoring any liberal policies and opinions and willing to spin a news story to favor one of their own like minded individuals. Generally favoring the Democratic party.
On the other side of the coin is Fox News. Clearly a right wing media source, whose intent is to undermine any liberal minded individuals, liberal policies and propaganda. And proudly supports the GOP (Republican party).
True journalistic integrity has gone out the window, when reporting opinions and speculation rather than facts and honest investigation. The future of a pundit’s job relies solely on his or her ability to report in favor of his or her news affiliation. No one should question the “facts.” Simple editing can turn an opinion into a favorable or unfavorable one, depending on who is backing the news organization.
Although I am not a supporter of Ron Paul, this video is a good example of how the media can misconstrue and paint a bad image of a political candidate.
It should be mentioned that some media sources are so far extreme to the right or left, they may be considered radical. One such establishment is the radical right John Birch Society. The JBS, which arose in 1958 by Robert W. Welch Jr. The overall agenda of the John Birch Society seems to be to protect America from an elite wealthy shadow government or family bent on one day turning the world into a one world government. Or as some have come to call it “The New World Order.” This group has some very radical and despicable ideals. The following is a piece taken from the Wikipedia page on the Society:
The society opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, claiming it violated the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and overstepped individual states’ rights to enact laws regarding civil rights. The society opposes “one world government“, and it has an immigration reduction view on immigration reform. It opposes the United Nations, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and other free trade agreements. They argue the U.S. Constitution has been devalued in favor of political and economic globalization, and that this alleged trend is not accidental. It cited the existence of the former Security and Prosperity Partnership as evidence of a push towards a North American Union.[18]
A daughter of staunch Birchers, Claire Conner, has even posted a video exposing some of the radical ideals of this group. The video can be seen here: Who Are the Birchers Today?
There are some people who believe that such a radical group who’s publications include The New American are an unbiased news source, with only the best intentions of the American people in mind. I would venture to guess that those same people are staunch supporters of talking heads like Rush Limbaugh.
With all of that said, there are plenty of radical left wing pundits pushing their agenda in an equally ferocious manner. Such candidates include: Chris Matthews, Bill Maher, Michael Moore and Keith Olbermann; just to name a few.
In conclusion, where you get your news is your business; but, realize that one must follow the money to understand what the media wants you to hear. Everyone has an agenda and therefore bias. Therefore it is better to seek the least bias news outlet rather than those that claim to be unbiased.
A Voice to Listen 