Anyone else smell any media Bias in Election Coverage?

Brian Stein

Real Estate Investor · Standish, MI · Member since 2008 · 26 posts · 0 votes

Its really crazy that the democratic votes don't count in Florida or Michigan.

Lots of people here in Michigan were really upset to know their votes don't matter to the Democrats.

I know lots of people who come November won't vote for the democratic candidate for that reason.

And yeah basically Obama is getting a ton of positive press, as is McCain.

I still think Clinton's name will be big come Super Tuesday in States where these guys haven't been constantly campaigning.

Tucson, AZ · Member since 2008 · 945 posts · 45 votes

Deborah Simmons, Washington Times, Editorial Page Editor responded to a Cspan WASHINGTON JOURNAL caller's complaint today, Thurs Jan 31, 2008 about the bias, and neither Paul nor Huchabee getting equal, or good time, positively. She said the media really needs to be unbiased and give time to all the candidates.

This is a problem I've heard numerous times after debates, after speeches, and the voters really are being left out and forced to choose among the ones the media keeps putting in front of us. I venture to say if the lower tier had the air time and coverage that the top 4 got, things may be different. She was talking about how Obama speaks in generalities, has no substance, we don't know what he will do, but is not far removed from Clinton.

Personally, I want a huge change, and none of the front guys are it. I don't care about race OR gender, BUT MY top choices are Kicinich, Richardson, Biden, and Edwards, and Ron Paul...
ofgift

Donny Random

Asheville, NC · Member since 2008 · 107 posts · 10 votes

It's all about the ratings folks, who can get more eyeballs.

Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 218 votes

The media only reports what sells, what is sexy, etc.

Just like how they buried the story that Saddam Hussein admitted that IRAQ had WMD. He said they were afraid of IRAN.

Saddam said the moved them, hid them and destroyed some just before the US invaded.

Now where is the coverage on that? Look it up folks, Massive Media Bias.

By the way, more Americans died in accidents, shootings, bombings, etc in Chicago than in Iraq, so which is safer?

Tucson, AZ · Member since 2008 · 945 posts · 45 votes

Originally posted by "4rmgt":

By the way, more Americans died in accidents, shootings, bombings, etc in Chicago than in Iraq, so which is safer?

That's a red herring. Chicago is safer. We didn't invade Chicago, we didn't destroy it, We're not spending billions of bucks on it. (If we were, or NOLA) think how much better we'd all be. ('cept maybe Halliburton, KBR, exxon, blackwater, etc.)

Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 218 votes

I will just take one guess. You have never personally been to IRAQ or anywhere in the middle east?

Just so you know, I have. I have fought for my country in the middle east, bosnia, etc.

Josh started this about a media bias. I was just commenting on how the media doesn't portray every death here in the US as it does in IRAQ, just pointing to a media bias.

Just as with these elections, there is a strong media bias. Just like how the Media went off on how Barack didn't shake Hillary's hand at the State of the Union. There are hundreds of people in that room and they are worried because he didn't shake his opponent's hand?

Let's keep it on MEDIA BIAS, not political feelings.

Joshua D.Pro Member

OP

BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #100

Ryan -
The White House banned the media from showing the caskets of American dead because people don't like to see dead bodies in war. If we kept seeing American flags draping caskets, we might want to get the hell out of Iraq.

The media is controlled by the politicians, but they also have sold out their interests to making money, and that means the advertisers.

Journalism is no longer about telling or investigating the truth, it is about making money. Notice that only CNN & Fox do debates? If you want to make money, you can't have a 2hr debate with only one break for commercials. Where's ABC, CBS, NBC? They are out making money instead of doing what they are supposed to do - use the PUBLIC airwaves to serve the PUBLIC interest. The networks should belong to the people, but unfortunately that is just not the case.

The media bias is inherent in the system. There isn't much going back now, unfortunately.

If people want to know the truth, they have to do their own homework and research to find it. Too bad that most people don't have the time or inclination to do so.

I'm just saddened that the American people leave the fate of their lives to a failed media by listening to their biased "news" as fact.

Chris Chung

Real Estate Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2008 · 133 posts · 7 votes

Excellent points.

I do feel however, that it is absolutely impossible for the media to make all candidates appear equal in standing.

We must ask ourselves if a Duncan Hunter should be given as much attention as a Hillary Clinton.

Also, Hillary got enormous press attention for 2 years concerning this election cycle. She was definitely viewed as the front runner.

As well, McCain was viewed as having no chance.

Jenny F.

Real Estate Investor · Baroda, MI · Member since 2008 · 204 posts · 2 votes

This has got to be the most OVERLY reported election I have ever seen. I cant even bear watch anymore and I am a NEWS/talk radio JUNKY.

Between Obama and Brittany Spears I just cant take it anymore! :goofy:

The media is most definately liberally biased. No question.

Matthew Gil

Real Estate Investor · Member since 2008 · 340 posts · 34 votes

I have to admit there are some pretty good points in this thread.

Yes, there is media bias. That is not even up for debate. It's like asking is there an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water?

Case in point, the treatment that Obama has been receiving is amazing. The guy is getting a free pass right into the general elections. Which, BTW is a shame. Because like it or not, the gloves will come off come time for the general elections and Obama could use the punches right now to toughen him up.

As for Fox News. I am convinced that people who criticize Fox News for it's bias have not actually watched Fox News for an extended amount of time. Fox actually does a pretty good job of counterbalancing the right with left-minded commentators.

Also, I agree it that is not right to count Michigan and Florida Democratic votes. Granted those states were penalized for moving their primaries up, but still, those are key swing states, whose voice should be heard. My suggestion would be to re-run those elections.

Joshua D.Pro Member

OP

BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #100

Matthew -
I'll agree with you on Fox. I'm a Democrat and think that Fox has actually been BY FAR the most balanced network in reporting the election.

Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 218 votes

Yes it might become interesting with MI and FL but some candidates did not even go to Michigan because they were trying to win by the rules at the time.

You can NOT count the results and change the rules after the fact. The only way to do it and have every vote count is to re-run the elections there. I can almost guarantee that the losing person in the democratic ticket will want to do just that.

Sort of how we had to do the hanging chad thing some 8 years ago, by the way if Gore had won his home state of Tennessee, the term "CHAD" might never have been uttered!

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Now to get back to media selling out. I was sitting in a hospital waiting room today. I was working on my computer and there was a TV some others were watching. There was one of those Judge shows on. Then came a replay of a Jerry Springer show. It said it originally aired back in 1998. I remember the theme of the show being "I am pregnant with my brother's baby" or something close to that.

That made me laugh. I remembered that Springer was the Mayor of Cincy before getting on TV. His early shows were more issue based where he had truly intellctual interviews with guests. However the ratings tanked and he was about to lose his show. The format changed and he never looked back.

So while we claim there is never anything decent on TV, stop and think that we are getting what we actually have chosen to watch. Advertisers respond to ratings.... Just like we all know the term "Gaper Delay" when there is an accident, we all have to slow down and look to see the damage and "goriness" of it all.

Media has to sell air time to pay all the staff they have, so they will report what sells! Not facts and unbiased reports because we, as a whole, choose not to watch it.

If people feel that Fox News is unbiased, then watch it, tell others to watch it. If Fox suddenly dominates the ratings, maybe other networks will follow suit.