Media Bias?

This is a controversial subject. As it relates to politics and business, we’re addressing the idea of a bias as it relates to news and opinion. We’re not talking about entertainment programming. Let’s start with whether it exists.

If you’re on the right, a common mantra for the past thirty years has been that there is a liberal bias in the media. Everyone has heard that many times. If you’re on the left, you think Fox news is the right wing response to that.

The point is simple: both sides are comfortable with the idea that media can be and is controlled or manipulated in such a way as to provide a deliberately skewed view of the news that is presented. Several important points flow from this observation.

First, the idea that media is controlled by its owners is not at all controversial.

Second, the idea that the owners perceive this as useful and effective in furthering their interests follows directly.

Third, it is sound to assume that the biases presented reflect the interests of the owners of media.

Originally posted 9/10/2010