Greg's Opinion links to Ari Fleisher's take (scroll to "White House Heat") on what really drives the media:
"My conclusion is that the press is biased -- biased in favor of conflict," Fleischer said. "There is an ideological element -- a subtle bias on policy issues, particularly on social policy issues, that favors Democrats more than Republicans. But that bias is secondary. Conflict comes first, regardless of whether the press is covering a Democrat or a Republican."
By George, Ari, you've got it! Before you read or watch the media through an ideological lens, you've got to do it through an economic lens.
A reporter friend of mine once went to a seminar where Osborn Elliott, then Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, asked, "What's the purpose of journalism?" Osborn, who wanted Big Answers, wasn't exactly happy with what my friend came back with -- "To sell newspapers." Media are trying to hold an audience, and to do that, they need drama. And as you may have heard, all drama is conflict. So whatever's being covered, the contrast control gets turned way up. And just about everything comes out in narrative structures. Sometimes it's morality plays -- see, in particular, local television news. But when it comes to politics, the formula is more World Wrestling Federation -- think "Crossfire." With this twist, however -- to keep it fresh, the bias has to keep changing. If the Democrat has the edge today, the Republican might tomorrow. Today's evil business might be tomorrow's major employer. It's a way of keeping things fresh, keeping them tuning in, keeping them turning the pages.
There are, of course, all sorts of biases. And it goes without saying that there's good, unbiased reporting, too. But the next time you're thinking about all this, listen also for the quiet, desperate note -- "watch me, read me" -- and then see how the stories play out. And see who's the angel today, and the devil tomorrow.
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