Is the National Media Biased? A Test Case
- Sep 12, 2008 - 5
If anyone has any remaining doubts about the national media’s bias and preference for Sen. Barack Obama, I offer Charles Gibson’s interview with Gov. Sarah Palin vs. Gibson’s interview with Sen. Obama on July 23, 2008 as an excellent test case.
Charles Gibson, of ABC News, was far more hostile in his interaction with Gov. Palin, as demonstrated in his combative and argumentative method of “interrogating” her. I found his whole demeanor, including his body language, to be disdainful.
When Gov. Palin answered his question about whether the U.S. had the right to go after Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan, Gibson responded by saying he “got lost in a blizzard of words” and followed with “is that a yes?”
I cannot imagine Gibson responding to Obama in a remotely similar fashion.
When one watches Gibson with Obama in the July 23 interview, they both seem to be basking in Sen. Obama’s astounding “Obama-ness.”
Watch both, side – by – side, and then you decide.
This column originally posted at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com
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1 On Sep 17th, 2008, at 12:04am, Christine DiRie wrote:
I believe that both interviews were tough. I did not sense that the questions were biased. They were also completed at different times in history. When Obama was in the Middle East trying to bolster his foreign credentials, Palin was not even a candidate. However what did come across was Gibson’s demeaning, paternalistic manner although Palin came off as a stellar example of how to bring the conversation to get across one’s own message. Did you notice, the interview was in her kitchen? Not very presidential.
2 On Sep 17th, 2008, at 7:55am, Joyce Mc. wrote:
The media in general has “gotten lost in a blizzard of words”. The bias expressed and lack of accuracy in stories is shocking. An Atlanta Journal newspaper recently had a story about Palin’s husband receiving a subpoena to provide information. The title of the story was, “On the Run”. ?
3 On Sep 17th, 2008, at 11:28am, Manny Tomes wrote:
If you are going to make these complaints at least make them accurate. “On the Run” was not the title of that story but the title of a regular series the paper runs with stories about candidates running or “on the run” for office. It did not refer to Todd Palin as being on the run.
4 On Sep 17th, 2008, at 9:37pm, Kathy wrote:
I agree that both interviews were tough, but Charlie was very irritated with Sarah Palin as if he had a personal beef.
For me the media bias is exposed when reporters are asked which political party they are registered with. It is close to 80 percent Democrats working in the news media. No matter how hard anyone tries, how can they cover up their personal views completely? It’s impossible.
5 On Sep 23rd, 2008, at 7:59am, Marjorie Jordan wrote:
Charlie Gibson is a great anchor. In my opinion he talked down to Palin in his interview. It certainly was not an unbiased interview. A good interview is fair and never indicates what the interviewer’s opinion is. Respect is due all candidates wheather one agrees with their platform or not.