Often, the bias of the media is evidenced not in the in-your-face liberalism of MSNBC, but in somewhat more subtle ways. Take as an example Politico’s coverage of a congressional hearing earlier today. (See also Jonathan Neumann’s post.) The headline of the story is, “Carolyn Maloney, Eleanor Holmes Norton walk out of contraception hearing.” And the story begins this way: “Two female Democrats walked out of a House Oversight Committee hearing on the contraceptive coverage rule Thursday morning, accusing Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) of manipulating committee rules to block female witnesses from testifying.”
For one thing, the rule in question isn’t simply about contraception; it also covers sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. But more important is this: This issue is significant not because it involves, in part, the matter of contraception (which I happen to support), but the more fundamental issue of religious liberty. It has to do with the federal government being the aggressor in the so-called culture wars and inserting itself into the internal life of the church and religious institutions. That’s why Protestants who aren’t troubled by contraception have expressed solidarity with Catholics who do.
The Obama administration has an overwhelming political interest in framing this issue as one having to do with contraception rather than religious liberties. And not surprisingly, most of the press is in lockstep with Obama. We’re seeing dueling narratives play out, and most of the press corps has an obvious stake in promoting one at the expense of the other.
You are right, of course, but (a) they do this all the time and (b) it is not subtle. It is just that most Americans either (i) don't care, (ii) are not capable of noticing it, (iii) are liberals and love it or (iv) are conservatives and hate it.
Part 2 n nThe headline of the story is, "Carolyn Maloney, Eleanor Holmes Norton walk out of contraception hearing." And the story begins this way: "Two female Democrats walked out of a House Oversight Committee hearing on the contraceptive coverage rule Thursday morning, accusing Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) of manipulating committee rules to block female witnesses from testifying." n nIt's all they get day after day. Where in there is any hint that the news media are in lock-step with Obama and the Democrats? No, it's cliché (Republicans are against women's rights, glass ceilings and all that — they've heard nothing else since Eisenhower).
I have never seen or heard media bias described as "subtle." Built-in and blatant are more like it. Technology is not the only reason news consumers are migrating from the big city newspapers and the alphabet networks to other sources of information, including the internet.
Issue isn't the bias of the media. that is a given and should be remembered by politicians.The issue is not that the female members of Congress walked out either, the issue is why were the republicans so dumb to hand them that issue? How stupid do you have to be, to think that when you talk about contraception, abortion or any part of procreation and privacy rights in any way shape or form even if you want to discuss religious liberty as the catalyst you shouldn't interview or have women in the discussion? Seriously? Seriously?
A ridiculous argument. Non-Catholics who happen to be working for a Catholic hospital or charity weren't drafted into their jobs. They chose to work for that particular employer and if they don't like the Church's position on contraception and abortion, they're perfectly free to seek employment elsewhere. Moreover, the Church is in no way imposing its beliefs on such employees. If they want contraception or even an abortion, they can easily get them. To frame this as a civil rights issue is, therefore, not only dishonest but absurd. Perhaps the only thing more absurd is your contention that "reality has a liberal bias." That's really a hoot!