One of the major newspapers of the past had a slogan on their masthead that proclaimed “All the news that’s fit to print.” However, they conveniently omitted a disclaimer that they alone would be the sole arbiters as to what was “fit” and what wasn’t. That same condition still exists within the news industry today, be it print or broadcast, which explains why there is a growing belief that the mainstream news is overwhelmingly favorable, if not in fact, protective to liberal policies, positions, perspectives and politicians.
At the same time, the conservative side enjoys no such considerations. Internet sources cite many examples, complete with the “who, what, where, and when” and often with confirming videos, that illustrate liberals saying and doing things that would quite likely subject them to condemnation if the mainstream media made it widely known. Even when the news does “leak,” the press will down-play it, or try and put a positive or neutral spin on it. However, anything construed as a conservative misstep is given play for days or months.
Dependence on the mainstream print or broadcast media, for comprehensive, in-depth news coverage, either local or international, condemns a person to not having the insights for informed voting decisions. The Internet has news sources that represent the entire social and political spectrum, which allows you to weigh the pros and cons without a one-sided bias. There are those “experts” who are now proclaiming the death knell of traditional news providers, due to the growing influence and scope of the internet. Declining viewer and subscriber figures would tend to confirm that opinion. If that should, in fact, come to pass, print and broadcast news will have only themselves to blame.
Lee Fowble
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
