2008 Woodie Awards
Political bias abundant in media - Ignoring Ron Paul won't make him go away
Feature Editorial
David McCormack
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Opinions
Lately more and more people have come to accept what many have known for years: America's popular media is absolutely biased, subjective and largely homogeneous in political affiliation. Walter Cronkite once said, "I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they're not liberal, by my definition of it they can hardly be good newspapermen."
Well, in order to maintain a free society, it seems best to have reporters that are objective, but no one is perfect. Therefore, they should be as varied in political philosophy as the people that they serve. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the United States. In 1992, Bill Clinton received 43 perecent of the vote for President, yet he received 89 percent of Washington reporters' votes. These facts are literally old news, but recent examples of media bias abound.
A great example of current media bias is the treatment received by Ron Paul, Air Force veteran, M.D. and 2008 presidential candidate. Lately, what was thought of as a liberal versus conservative issue has become an establishment versus Ron Paul issue.
For example, the Iowans for Tax Relief organization excluded Ron Paul from their Iowa straw poll. Doesn't it seem odd that a conservative tax relief organization would block a conservative candidate who aims to abolish the income tax? Reportedly, they decided to block Dr. Paul because they did not believe him to have a chance in winning. Surprisingly to some, Ron Paul held an impromptu rally that attracted more supporters than any other candidate.
Meanwhile, Yahoo's political pages failed to list Ron Paul as a candidate. When contacted, Yahoo spokespersons cited similar reasons for not including Ron Paul. Yahoo and other media outlets seem to think that they can say Ron Paul does not have a chance in winning and that will make him go away.
In addition, so many people in the mainstream media claim to be against the war in Iraq, but fail to mention that Ron Paul is, according to the Wall Street Journal "perhaps the most anti-war candidate in the race."
Moreover, does the treatment Ron Paul received at the Sept. 5 Fox Republican debates even need to be mentioned? At the debate, Rudy Giuliani's snickering was positively immature, unprofessional and completely unbecoming of one running for President. Even after Ron Paul executed a decisive victory.
Well, in order to maintain a free society, it seems best to have reporters that are objective, but no one is perfect. Therefore, they should be as varied in political philosophy as the people that they serve. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the United States. In 1992, Bill Clinton received 43 perecent of the vote for President, yet he received 89 percent of Washington reporters' votes. These facts are literally old news, but recent examples of media bias abound.
A great example of current media bias is the treatment received by Ron Paul, Air Force veteran, M.D. and 2008 presidential candidate. Lately, what was thought of as a liberal versus conservative issue has become an establishment versus Ron Paul issue.
For example, the Iowans for Tax Relief organization excluded Ron Paul from their Iowa straw poll. Doesn't it seem odd that a conservative tax relief organization would block a conservative candidate who aims to abolish the income tax? Reportedly, they decided to block Dr. Paul because they did not believe him to have a chance in winning. Surprisingly to some, Ron Paul held an impromptu rally that attracted more supporters than any other candidate.
Meanwhile, Yahoo's political pages failed to list Ron Paul as a candidate. When contacted, Yahoo spokespersons cited similar reasons for not including Ron Paul. Yahoo and other media outlets seem to think that they can say Ron Paul does not have a chance in winning and that will make him go away.
In addition, so many people in the mainstream media claim to be against the war in Iraq, but fail to mention that Ron Paul is, according to the Wall Street Journal "perhaps the most anti-war candidate in the race."
Moreover, does the treatment Ron Paul received at the Sept. 5 Fox Republican debates even need to be mentioned? At the debate, Rudy Giuliani's snickering was positively immature, unprofessional and completely unbecoming of one running for President. Even after Ron Paul executed a decisive victory.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 34
Dann McCreary
posted 10/08/07 @ 11:58 AM CST
Dear David McCormack,
Thanks for telling it like it is! :)
I have been an observer of Dr. Ron Paul for many years, and he hasn't changed - he's perhaps the most principled candidate I have ever seen running for president in my 57 years of life!
Just this morning a friend sent me information about how the FDA is trying to ban Stevia, a natural and healthful sweetener alternative to sugar. (Continued…)
Brent
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:11 PM CST
Should of noted he was in Congress for 20 years~!
Bob C.
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:13 PM CST
Thank you for publishing this article. You are correct there IS a real attempt to make Ron Paul "go away". I was one of those who thought he was a marginal candidate. (Continued…)
James Roberts
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:27 PM CST
You've hit the nail on the head. The "establishment" has an interest in protecting the status quo. The MSM, the Demopublican Party, the military-industrial complex, and the big corporations have taken near-absolute control of our country. (Continued…)
Rommie
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:40 PM CST
Ron Paul is the Only Candidate worth voting for, he consistently demonstrates smart thinking and common sense - a Rare Find in the halls of politicians. (Continued…)
Captain
posted 10/08/07 @ 12:53 PM CST
The media does NOT have a liberal bias. The media has a statist bias. The media needs the government.
Jeff Roark
posted 10/08/07 @ 1:46 PM CST
Thank you. Good article!
Michael Wagner
posted 10/08/07 @ 1:59 PM CST
And the beat goes on...
No mention here of the fact that Ron Paul raised over $5 million this quarter. Also no mention of the fact that Ron Paul has WON 14 of the last 30 straw polls. (Continued…)
goldenequity
posted 10/08/07 @ 1:59 PM CST
Do your OWN homework.
NOBODY explains Ron Paul
BETTER than Ron Paul himself!
Here is an interactive audio archive of
Ron Paul speeches and interviews as a resource in chronological
order. (Continued…)
Jack
posted 10/08/07 @ 2:02 PM CST
Dr. Paul may "go away" someday (after serving two terms in the White House), but the principles he lives by will always be relevent in this country; or we will have ceased to be the country we once knew. (Continued…)
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