FOXMSNBCCNN

Actions:

1. Obama's Media Advantage - Watch this piece from the O'Reilly Factor and respond on your blog to the video.  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/index.html#/v/958053540001/obamas-media-advantage/?playlist_id=86923

2. Spend at least two hours flipping around to various cable news stations during the prime-time hours on television.  (If you don't have cable tv, please let me know.)  Check out various political shows including the O'Reilly Factor, The Rachel Maddow Show, etc.  Think about how from MSNBC to FOX you can see such a variance of opinions.  Pick ONE topic or headline of the day and compare and contrast how two different shows on two different networks covered the same story.  For example, if the headline of the day was the capture of Osama Bin Laden or the GOP presidential candidate field, how is MSNBC covering these topics versus someone on Fox or even CNN?  If they are not differing in their coverage, that's fine too.  Please write a blog entry including a detailed critical analysis of the difference in coverage and then tell me WHY this matters.  How does this influence public opinion and public policy?  ALSO, PLEASE INCORPORATE THE ABOVE READINGS INTO YOUR ENTRY.

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Bernard Goldberg's Bias was an eye opening book for me that confirmed what I had alway know, there is a major issue of bias in the media and it leans very heavily left. If there is any doubt that media bias doesn't exist, check out the articles below. 

Ed Schultz -- Who Called Laura Ingraham a 'Slut' -- Complains Sen. Scott Brown 'Has Degraded Women'
Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brad-wilmouth/2011/10/07/ed-schultz-complains-kennedy-successor-scott-brown-has-degraded-women#ixzz1a8JbEDX8


NBC's 'Today' Frets Scott Brown Getting 'Nasty' and 'Personal' in Mass. Senate Race
Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2011/10/07/nbcs-today-frets-over-scott-brown-getting-nasty-and-personal-mass-sena#ixzz1a8K7on00

MSNBC's O'Donnell Accuses Herman Cain -- Who Worked for the Navy -- of Being a Draft Dodger
Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/10/07/herman-cain-asks-msnbcs-odonnell-do-you-stay-night-come-wording-these#ixzz1a8KJWMnL

I usually agree with O'Reilly's talking points including those discussed in the video below. In fact, it seems that the media will take an issue such as healthcare and categorize the right as heartless monsters trying to kill grandma. Its absolutely ridiculous how its sentionalized to the point of fiction. 

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/index.html#/v/958053540001/obamas-media-advantage/?playlist_id=86923

I regularly switch between Fox News and CNN during breaking news events since there are various tidbits and analysis from which I find value. Due to a matter of principle, I refuse to watch MSNBC. I have always found it difficult to swallow that media organizations are purposely positioning themselves as more right or left. The media is supposed to act as a 4th check and balance system within our government and I believe that has been obliterated in the traditional sense. I also find it interesting that even the "New York Magazine" article we read is biased in reporting about bias. That unfortunately the nature of the beast in politics and I believe there is little journalists can do to remove bias in political reporting besides representing many sides of the issue. However, the problem that we do see in the media that is more disturbing is when non-political events and stories are politicized. Every media organization does this including CNN. CNN although not nearly as liberal as MSNBC, is by no means neutral. 

Here is another point of contention I have in the media bias debate. We should not judge the bias of a media organization by the quantity and characteristics of its opinion and commentary shows. For example, I am frustrated when the reason people believe Fox News is so right wing leads to the point that they have Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, etc. Those shows are supposed to have opinions because that is the intent of the program! They do not hide the fact that they are biased. However, it is during the reporting of events and stories that media bias should not exist and in my opinion, when watching coverage on both MSNBC (for the purpose of this assignment) and Fox News of the Solyndra drama, it is clear that both organizations have a different approach to reporting. Something I realized in writing this blog entry is that even if a media organization is not taking a position on an issue, the extant of their coverage (or lack thereof) can be the bias in itself. There is a lot more coverage about Solyndra on Fox News than there is on MSNBC. Interesting? I think so. 

In fact, here is a fascinating post about Solyndra and the media. http://bigjournalism.com/jjmnolte/2011/09/15/solyndra-collapse-what-did-the-msm-know-and-when-did-they-know-it/

In terms of influence, I am a skeptic of anything I hear in the media whether its CNN, FoxNews, AP, blogs, etc. The media has lost my trust entirely but for a different reason than just politics. As a professional in the airline industry, I have witnesses the grossly incorrect information being spewed out by every news agency regarding recent events in the airline industry whether a crash, fare hike, or new regulations. Oh and these so-called "experts" they bring on who's qualifications for such a title are that they fly a lot make me question the validity of any "fact" the media reports on as well as the validity of their sources. I am fortunate to know my own industry well enough to see through their negligent reporting of my industry but how do I know what to trust in their reporting of other industries I do not know like energy? Oh and politics? Forget about it.