Steve Boriss
2008-01-17 09:20:34
William, That is all correct. So now, what should be done about it? In the first phase, it was helpful to point out this bias, and the public now universally understands that it exists (2/3 of the public believes it). The next phase in my view is not to hold mainstream media to their own standard of objectivity, because it is an impossible standard. Every choice of what is newsworthy represents bias. Instead, we should recognize that bias is not a four-letter word — it is a good thing. America is built upon the opinions of the people to determine the consent of the governed. So the solution is encouraging the Internet to replace mainstream media with a multitude of voices competing in a freewheeling marketplace of ideas.
