Mass Media and Politics

Objectivity does still exist in the media’s coverage of politics, but seems to be few and far between. While many of the big name news media are used mainly as outlets for political party’s views and arguments, there are still plenty of other mass media outlets such as newspapers, online blogs, and even some news stations that strive to simply find the truth in political issues. It is hard to not be biased, as it is our bias that usually drives us in the decisions and our perceptions of reality, but if there are people that are being objective journalists out in the field gathering information, then they would be less inclined to put a certain biased twist on the information. Of the major news networks that many Americans are familiar with today, the most biased ones would be FoxNews, CNN, MSNBC, and NBC are all pretty bias, with Fox News leaning considerably towards the right and MSNBC being the most liberal, and CNN and NBC definitely also possessing a left-leaning bias. NPR, however, has been rated as the least bias network, at least in the past, but is now facing allegations that NPR is also a more liberal network.

I do not actually listen to radio talk, so I can effectively say that it does not affect any of my political views.

Media objectivity is very important, as it tries to encompass the facts and truth of events all the while being indifferent. In doing so, this can let people analyze and critically think about the facts that have been presented to them, and will hopefully see the plain truth instead of a distorted one that is usually presented by biased mass media. However, people will also interpret those facts how they see fit, even if their rationalization isn’t even close to being the actual truth. But you cannot really stop that, because even if someone gave a biased report on an event and why they think it happened, people will still be more likely to try to draw their own conclusions.

I commented on Gabrielle Miller, Jessica Armes, and Melissa Ray’s blogs.