Author Topic: Press bias (Read 487 times)

Krusher · « **on:** December 29, 2003, 04:01:02 PM »

Looks like someone was fired for writing a book about French Media bias. With a few new reports out that point out the same problem in Germany and the BBC soon to be released.

And you guys have a problem with FOX news?

http://www.iht.com/articles/122993.htm

Mini D · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:12:30 PM »

Wow... more media outlets pandering to popular oppinion. Who woulda thunk it.

MiniD

Dago · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:18:56 PM »

Very interesting article Krusher, thanks for posting it.

And to think some come here and blather about American press not giving the news straight and being used as a tool for propaganda.

American press certainly shows bias, but this goes way past the pall. If this article, and the book relect what was really happening in French and German press, then they should not be allowed to call themselves "journalists".

In almost every case today, press agencies are being controlled by those who have a bias towards one side or the other of a subject.

I keep suggesting people read Bernard Goldbergs book "Bias", which illustrates how bias can be evident in reporting, and details how he found himself unemployed after writing about it.

dago

capt. apathy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:22:42 PM »

everyone has a bias, some reporters are just better at hiding it.

AKIron · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:40:18 PM »

I guess dissenting opinions are not publicly allowed in France or Germany. The American press/media may be their only real hope for an objective view on world events. Too bad they so thoroughly eschew everything American.

Dowding · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2003, 04:49:44 PM »

FOX is owned by Murdoch, and anything to do with Murdoch should be eschewed (apart from page 3).

Journos like dramatic stories, no matter who pays their wages.

Dago · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2003, 07:57:28 PM »

Quote

FOX is owned by Murdoch, and anything to do with Murdoch should be eschewed (apart from page 3).

Journos like dramatic stories, no matter who pays their wages.

Just kinda curious, can you give me some examples of when FOX news has been influenced to deliver incorrect news by Murdoch?

I agree that journalist love dramatic stories, and we tend to enjoy seeing them, but I don't think it can be denied that many cases exist of journalist, especially senior journalists and the heads of news organizations often let their personal bias influence how a story is told, or even what stories get told.

dago

Dago · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:22:47 PM »

Quote

Or perhaps you are of the opinion he would have kept his job if he worked for US media company and criticized US media like this?

Anyone who thinks this has but to read Bernard Goldbergs book. This is exactly what happened to him, he exposed bias in reporting by his network (CBS) and he was fired. Never mind that he was correct, and could easily prove it.

dago

AKIron · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:27:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
Dissenting opinions are just as publicly allowed in France as they are in the US. Or perhaps you are of the opinion he would have kept his job if he worked for US media company and criticized US media like this? ... Sure.

They do it all the time here. Occasionally some go too far against their own employer and are fired.

We have government supporters as well as our own detractors here and see the position and opinions of both sides in our news media. I really doubt that is the case in both France and Germany.

AKIron · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:31:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
LOL! Then you are wrong.

Are you saying that there are pro-America factions in both France and Germany reporting the necessity and validity of the war in Iraq? Or do you even have a clue what their media reports?

AKIron · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:46:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
I would wager that the percentage of French and German media that are "pro-American" is about the same as the percentage of US media that are "pro-French and German".

Let's stick to the relevant issue shall we? That being the reporting of the war in Iraq which is afterall what the press bias in this thread references.

With that established, yes, in America there is much reporting of both facts and opinions regarding the war with the opinions being very diverse and ranging from the war was needed and justified to it being only a vehicle for political and financial gain.

I ask again, do you see this in France and Germany or is all pro-American reporting squelched as was indicated in the referenced article?

AKIron · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2003, 11:59:16 PM »

I admit to being pretty ignorant of what is reported in France and Germany. I've forgotten all the French I learned and never learned any German. I'm more interested now in what is being reported there after reading that brief article and may see what else I can dig up. Ain't the Internet grand?