THERE IS NO LIBERAL/LEFT BIAS IN THE MEDIA, PROBABLY... MAYBE
or How To Join A Gang And Feel Great
I get a handful of emails, replies and comments on my content sometimes that are, let’s say, “not happy”.
The attempted insults are always weird.
Calling me the “Canadian Stephen Colbert” was a favourite for awhile. Most recently, two Twitter accounts volleyed their displeasure with one of my videos in the replies until they reached their apex insult…
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy gets hired by the CBC.”
Those heartless bastards. How dare they suggest that I could keep doing what I’m doing except for a reliable pay cheque and a pension plan… actually, wait, that sounds alright.
Another common thread is suggesting that I’m part of the liberal/left media which is allegedly afflicted with a liberal/left bias.
Like we get together and have meetings with coffee and gluten-free snacks (urgh, all the good snacks, packed with chewy delicious gluten, are at the “right” leaning media meetings, I bet).
Here’s the thing though… just like any individual, I have no obligation to NOT be biased. I can be as biased as I want. I can bias all over this place.
But let’s talk about the “media” proper. You know, newspapers, TV news channels, and radio whose job it is to share ACTUAL news stories, not just opinions.
If you look at any reputable “media” in general (e.g a news outlet that will get in legal hot water if they fabricate a story) , it does look like a lot of coverage is spent on “right” leaning politicos and doesn’t seem to currently portray them in the best light.
But here’s the thing… that’s not necessarily solely because of a bias to the “left”.
The “right” just currently seem to be cocking up more often and more loudly and on more important things.
This by no means is to suggest that the “left” are without their faults… absolutely not. They do dumb things all the time… but the “right” are just doing dumb bigger and better currently.
The “media” LOVE low-hanging fruit. The obvious stuff that cannot be ignored. The stuff people are talking about.
As someone who is kinda part of the “media” in a broad sense,
I love the easy stuff too.
Coming up with ideas is hard work and personally takes away from time I could be spending on my hobby… not working.
If someone presents “media” with something newsworthy on a platter,
we take it.
Case in point, I am what would be described as “left” leaning… but that hasn’t stopped me from making fun of “left” leaning politicians. Like when it was disclosed that Prime Minister Trudeau had done blackface not once, not twice, but multiple times.
I mean, COME ON… I am duty bound to mock that.
Think of it like this…
Imagine you’re babysitting.
While the parents were out Johnny spilled a glass of milk and then poured themselves another glass, then intentionally whipped that full glass of milk at the floor. It shatters everywhere, takes forever to clean up and still leaves some potential shards of glass on the still milky floor.
The other kid, Billy, burns the house down.
When the parents come home what do you say to them?
It’s probably not, “Listen, don’t worry about the burning embers that were your home, you will NOT believe what Johnny did!”
Saying the “media” may have a bias one way or the other may be accurate, however the reason for that bias is probably not ideological.
If the “media” is covering something it’s probably because that’s a story that the majority of people are interested in.
There may be a perceived bias “left” or “right” by “media” outlets when choosing to downplay certain stories… but that’s a luxury they only have when there are other big or bigger stories they can talk about.
Otherwise, they look silly (looking at you, Fox News).
Suggesting any “media” has a firm ideological bias in any direction is laughable
because without viewers to support it… to what end?
Sucking up to the current government leadership isn’t good business in the long run because governments change.
Fox News has begun to soften their support for the “right” (kinda).
Alternately, CNN has started leaning further “right” (kinda).
Probably because, you know… money.
People have biases. Absolutely.
So when people who work in “media” tell a story,
they can colour it any way they wish.
If the public stops watching/listening/reading,
those people may have to change their ways or get a new job.
I’m by no means saying you can just trust all “media” to be unbiased.
No, you need to keep your Critical Thinking Cap on.
But I am saying that “media” is not your friend or your enemy.
It’s merely telling/showing you things that happened.
“Media” doesn’t really care about “left” or “right”.
”Media” cares about eyeballs and cash.
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