Seems like a silly question since we all know that certain networks lean one way or the other. However, should a news channel be so bold as to come out and actually promote a political protest/movement?

 

I'm not commenting on the validity of the protest or movement. I'm simply asking if it should be promoted by a news organization.

 

Should, for example, MSNBC have promoted an anti-Bush protest put on by a particular organization?

 

Should CNN promote a rally against the war?

 

Should NBC promote a rally against spending bills?

The Media is a buisness first. If thier viewers want it, and they provide it, then they are following the free market. We as a people complain about what is in the media, but they only do what people want. If some kids are planting flowers on the southbound side of 75, nobody is going to stop and rubberneck. If there is a heap of twisted metal carnage and an 18 wheeler or two in an accident, even the northbound lane will slow. We as a society like whats negative, and what's negative is newsworthy. If it is really what they viewers want the networks will promote adgendas, and if people agree they'll watch.

I don't think Clyde is talking about covering news. More like making news.

I don't think Clyde is talking about covering news. More like making news.

I don't think there is a difference. There are both left and right wing "news" sites that create the news that have thier faithful audience. There are left and right biased sources that have thier audience. Field of Dreams has it correct. If you build it(make it, report it in a biased manner) they will come.

I guess , as HHSDad alluded to, I'm asking can you be a "news organization" and , at the same time, openly promote one party's agenda?

 

Lets pause for a moment for everyone to insert their favorite network joke here.

 

Now back to the discussion...

Is this outside of what a news organization should be doing?

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier Clyde.

 

I don't think that reputable news organizations should do that, but I don't think it is outside of thier perrogative to do that. I think that the more they do, the less respect they should and do get, but all news must play into thier market, and into thier audience.

I do not watch the news as I do not care about an anchors opinion or a stations beliefs. I want the news. Period. So I surf the net and read what I can that does not involve some journalists opinion based on their beliefs about a story. I look where I can find reports that do not sensationalize any aspect of the story.

 

I feel like Joe Friday, "Just the Facts", please.

Is this outside of what a news organization should be doing?

 

 

Are they the ones behind it, OR are they the only ones that are reporting it?

Are they the ones behind it, OR are they the only ones that are reporting it?

 

Look at the picture above I posted and you can answer the question yourself.

Look at the picture above I posted and you can answer the question yourself.

 

 

Sorry didn't notice the headline at the top.

No, they shouldn't anymore than they should promote one party over another. This is only one of the reasons people are so disgusted with the media.

Are ALL news organizations for profit organizations?

 

They all do it in some form or fashion. Why should a news organization be able to "support" one candidate over another? That is them using their platform to sway the uninformed people to vote for "their guy".

 

I do not believe that this is an exclusive issue with FOX, it is all of them.

Are ALL news organizations for profit organizations?

 

They all do it in some form or fashion. Why should a news organization be able to "support" one candidate over another? That is them using their platform to sway the uninformed people to vote for "their guy".

 

I do not believe that this is an exclusive issue with FOX, it is all of them.

 

 

I don't think Clyde is indicating that it is just Fox, it is just that Fox gave him a perfect example.

^^^And I think that Fox News does the best job of it, they play to thier base the best. I have heard time and time again from thier commentators about a lack of reporting from the Mainstream Media. However, at least when it comes to Cable, they ARE the Mainstream Media. They continue to dominate the other cable news networks, usually by a greater than 2 to 1 margin. But they play into thier base, and it results in more viewers.