Looking back at elections past, progressives have been critical of the MSM. The clearly “soft” treatment of The Bush Administration dispelled the myth of a “liberal” media bias. In addition, organizations such as MMFA argued that such “cozy” treatment was due to a conservative media bias; a byproduct of the media outlets’ conservative, corporate conglomerates.
However, it is important to put into context that journalists are people too. Many independents, democrats, and even progressives such as myself, were supporters of this presidents' agenda for some time. In fact, in 2002, I had repeatedly told my friends and colleagues that I would be "proud" to vote for my first Republican for POTUS, George W. Bush.
In the face of overwhelming evidence, I finally saw the light. Immediately, I focused almost all of my resources to defeating Bush in 2004, believing that were he elected, his stubborn, self-righteous, war-mongering dishonesty would be overwhelmingly harmful to our country...
The country disagreed with my conclusions, and President Bush won re-election with a solid majority of Americans supporting his policies on terrorism and believing (falsely) that the conditions on the ground in Iraq were "improving," and that going to war was the "right decision to make." After the botched response to Katrina, Increasing sectarian violence , Plamegate and a general sense of corruption, cronyism, (Brownie/Harriet Miers) Civil Liberties infringements, (Military Commissions Act/Patriot ACT) illegal wiretapping The infamous "Virgin Veto" of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, revolting generals, and credible denouncements, (Bob Woodward) the vast majority of the country seems to agree with us.
Along with them has come the media. It is important to remember that these people are people to, as opposed to ideologues. Omitting the well-documented agenda of the "faux" news organization, (The channels' idea of 'balance', where Juan Williams, Mara Liasson, and Morton Kondracke are liberals and Bill O'Reilly is an independent is comical) the MSM offers a wide array of independent-minded individuals.
Jim Lehrer, Wolf Blitzer, Jack Cafferty, Larry King, Keith Olbermann, Joe Scarborough, Tucker Carlson, Chris Matthews, Brian Williams, and Katie Couric all vary in their political perspective. And though we'd like to see more than just progressives on this list, it should be put into context that very few pro-bush wingnuts are in prominent MSM (again, omit the “faux” news organization) positions. (Remember, being a conservative does not mean you’re a Bush-supporter or wingnut) Indeed, one must concede those on the list are fair-minded individuals who have been more than critical of the president. Were many of these cheerleaders of the Bush agenda in the past? Perhaps, but then again, the vast majority of Americans were.
During the start of his continuing ratings surge back in March, Keith Olbermann said of the NBC/GE hierarchy: “If they look at my ratings and my ratings are improved and there is criticism of the president of the United States, they're happy.” (1) The same premise holds true to all non-Murdoch media outlets.
http://mediamatters.org/... (1)