Re: O.T. political news bias



The Fox news version of balanced appears to have be "We've got a blue
widget on one side and a yellow widget on the other! Look we're fair
and balanced!". No one seems at all bothered that the scales have been
welded into position at the fulcrum.

In other word, if I understand you correctly, it is not fair to have
speakers from both sides discuss the issue? How has the scale "been
welded" into a fixed position if both sides have access to the debate?

I believe he is trying to say that it is inaccurate to present two sides of
an issue equally when they are not equally represented or weighted in the
real world. There is merit to both sides (yours and his) of this point
IMHO. There probably is no perfect solution. I remember the time when
Walter Cronkite (and others) would investigate an issue and try to give a
balanced description of it. It probably wasn't all that balanced then, and
we've seen in recent years how unbalanced news coverage can become. I hate
to point out a problem without pointing out a solution, but this is one that
I don't see a quick fix for. My solution is to read as much on any
important subject as I can then run it through my personal BS filter.



Sadly this appears to be infecting all manner of previously reasonable
news sources and clouding peoples thinking in such a way that there is
an expectation that an opposing view, no matter how lunatic fringe,
*must* be given for there to be balance.


I think I agree there. I could tell you about the recognition of voodoo and
wicka as legitimate religions by the DOD.



It would make more sense to me if we tried to use a realistic scenario,
rather than such a convoluted one as "flat earth." For example, FOX News
has had numerous representatives from Cindy Sheehan's group speak. That is
about as extreme a fringe group, as I see it, as there is. You may
consider her views to be mainstream, I don't know. Should her group not
be given a platform since I consider her a part "fringe" group? Your view
seems a bit like censorship to me. I believe in equal access. Even as a
member of a "fringe" group, we all should be able to hear what she has to
say.

I think I disagree with the concept that every "fringe group" deserves a
platform. News reporting must and should be selective in what they report
as news. If I decide I'm the messiah, it is not incumbent on tv news to
report that fact - earthshattering though it might be. I suspect your point
deals with the difficulty of deciding what points do deserve reporting, and
I am in total agreement as to that difficulty.

How is that not balanced? If I may give a very different scenario, in the
South in the 1950's, I would say that an overwhelming majority of the
people were opposed to equal rights for Blacks. So, by your
interpretation of "fairness" an overwhelming percentage of the news
coverage should have provided support of the view that Blacks were somehow
inferior to Whites. Sorry, I will never agree to that position!

Hmmm, there goes perception again. I grew up in the South in the 1950s, and
I would take strong issue with your statement that "an overwhelming majority
of the people were opposed to equal rights for Blacks." I'm not going to
debate the point in this forum, I just want to point out that perceptions
that you hold dear may not be universally supported.



Let's not get started on this debate. Scholars are still debating the
issue as to whether global warming exists or, even if it does, is it
caused by man. I choose not to accept this gambit, other than to say
there needs to be much more study and discussion on the issue by people
who actually know what they are talking about.

Ahhh, I believe you have taken the pebble from his hand. ;-)


One on one debates between erudite and eloquent debaters (or even
loudmouths who lean towards profanity) is compelling entertainment. It
is not a 'fair and balanced' insight into news or current affairs. It
is particularly poor in areas where facts or evidence are involved.

Yep, were you on the debate team in high school or college? If you were,
you know that real debates are won by the more compelling personality, not
the more compelling argument. Let's consider the last two presidents. Bill
Clinton was such a scum bag it made me physically queasy to think he was
representing the US to the rest of the world. But, he was an excellent
talking head. One on one he was a charismatic and compelling personality.
George Bush has next to no "on air" personality. He is a poor speaker who
often stumbles over words and appears inarticulate. If you put them on a
stage and asked them to debate family values, you'd probably wind up
thinking that Clinton was the good guy.


--- Derek


I would have to respectfully disagree with you. One on one discussions by
eloquent and erudite speakers is exactly what we need. (At least if we
limit the debate to erudite speakers we would never have to listen to Al
Gore ever again. ;-) )

Glen

I sort of agree and disagree. What we really need is just what is happening
here. Discussion of the issues between informed people who are NOT
political or television professionals. It only works so long as we keep the
discussion non personal and non inflammatory, though.

On that point, I saw a story on one of the news outlets recently telling us
what issues were important to us in the next election. Since I heartily
disagreed I'll just ask. What issues are decisive to you? Specifically
what will make you vote for or against a candidate?

Gerry

Gerry


.

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