It’s convention time and the smell of partisan politics is both in the air and on the air. What a perfect time to consider whether Americans perceive the media as being too liberal, too conservative or just right. What are your guesses as to the:
Percentage of people who think the news media is too liberal? 18%, 45% or 35%?
Percentage of people who think the news media is just about right? 18%, 45% or 35%?
Percentage of people who think the news media is too conservative? 18%, 45% or 35%?
These timely stats are courtesy of an annual Gallup Poll about Media Use and Evaluation and are just one of the hundreds fascinating displays and factoids featured at the Newseum in Washington, DC. My Summer of Fun list included visiting this museum devoted to all things media-related, so last weekend hubby and I hopped into DC and spent over four hours completely absorbed. We could’ve stayed even longer except that my brain hurt from information overload and the museum was closing for the day.
The museum is chock-full of fascinating exhibits which any history buff, news junkie or curious American would enjoy. Video interviews with the photographers who shot Pulitzer Prize winning photos. Interactive games that answered who invented the Internet (not Al Gore). Front pages of newspapers chronicling the unfolding of pivotal events in U.S. history. Examples of how tensions around First Amendment rights (freedom of press, speech, religion and right to assemble and petition the government) are played out in today’s schools. If a trip to DC is in your near future, put visiting the Newseum on your “must see” list.
One point which was underscored several times at the Newseum: We all need to consider how media bias (intentional or not) influences the information we consume. Regardless if the news is reported via TV, Internet, radio or newspaper, a news story can never be completely objective. As Wise Women, our task is to discern the slant/agenda behind the telling of the who, what, when, where and why.
BTW, the answers to the above quiz are: Too liberal (45%). Just right (35%). Too conservative (18%). Sound right to you?
8-28-2008 09:47:41
Interesting post! A Democrat friend (who’s also a journalist) once remarked that our “liberal media” are owned by large right-wing corporations. I saw something along these lines printed on a bumper sticker, too. Full disclosure: I’ve worked as a journalist for nearly 25 years, so quite a few of my friends are editors and writers. I’d have to say half are conservative and half are liberal when it comes to personal politics. One journalist I know leans to the extreme religious right, and even wrote a book about Dr. Dobson, the family values guy.
8-28-2008 10:03:10
I am surprised that the “too conservative” number was so low. Many of the talk radio programs, such as Rush’s, are extremely conservative. When the word ‘media’ is used, I think most people think print media, if they are older, or online media, if they are younger. People may not think radio media and it has a huge influence.
8-28-2008 14:33:30
Thanks for the heads up about the Newseum. Sounds like a place I could get lost in. I agree with Cindy and Catherine’s comments. The quiz results surprised me – I think the liberal and conservative figures should be flipped.