Cross posted at MyDD
I wanted to update everyone on our new report -- "If It’s Sunday, It’s Still Conservative." If you haven’t had a chance to view it, now is the time. The report documents how the right continues to dominate the Sunday talk shows.
Since the report’s release we’ve seen a great response. We’ve had many reputable blogs such as DailyKos, Huffington Post, and MyDD highlight our findings. We’ve had Paul Waldman, our report’s principal author, on radio shows like The Peter B. Collins Show, The Young Turks, and The Rachel Maddow Show to name a few.
We’ve also had several members of Congress join our fight, including Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).
Here’s some of what they had to say:
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) -- "When network news shows favor one political point of view over others, the American people are cheated out of an open, honest, and fair discussion. My colleagues and I will be appealing directly to the major networks ..."
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) -- "This report sheds light on a serious problem, and that's making sure that the American public has the chance to hear opposing voices on the national debates under way in Washington, and at home, that affect their lives."
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) -- "The findings of Media Matters' recent study demonstrate a widespread problem with the media. ... The Sunday shows serve as town hall meetings for the American public and Democratic and progressive voices should be fairly and equitably represented in those debates."
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter(D-NY) -- "Today's report from Media Matters reveals the disproportionately large presence conservatives have had on Sunday morning news programs for years. It is a reality that hasn't changed, even after the establishment of new Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress."
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) -- "Sunday talk shows play an important role in our nation’s political discourse. News broadcasters should provide balanced viewpoints as they inform millions of Americans about politics and government."
Thousands have taken action on our site – www.sundayshowreport.com - agreeing to stand up to the imbalanced debate occurring every Sunday morning on the influential network political talk shows. That number is growing by the hour.
The Sunday morning shows are not as eager to respond. Media Matters has yet to hear directly from the Sunday shows or the networks. Even the press is getting the cold shoulder, with some reports claiming "[r]epresentatives for Meet the Press and Face the Nation would not comment on the report's findings" and others claiming the networks are dismissing Media Matters’ findings.
Providing equitable access to progressive points of view is critical for the future of our national debate. That’s why we need your help today. You, and people like you, can make the networks hear the truth and get us one step closer to fair and equitable coverage on the Sunday shows.
Please click here to view Media Matters for America’s new report and take action. Together, we can force these influential shows to respond and make the necessary changes we seek.