So, I was sifting through the usual barrage of Facebook postings, and came across the story highlighting McCain's campaign strategist ranting about liberal media bias. For those that missed it, I've included the relevant portion:
But whatever the New York Times once was, it is today not by any standard a journalistic organization. It is a pro-Obama advocacy organization that every day attacks the McCain campaign, attacks Gov. Palin and excuses Sen. Obama. There is no public vetting… there is no level of outrage directed at his deceitful ads… This is an organization that is completely and totally 150 percent in the tank for the Democratic candidate…. Everything that is read in the New York Times should be evaluated by the American people from that perspective. It is an organization that has made a decision to cast aside its journalistic integrity and advocate for the defeat of one candidate and the election of another.
So lets check…I will open today's New York Times and do some story counting (due to time constraints, I am limiting myself to section A). Stories are pro if they depict the candidate strongly or offer praise, anti if they depict the candidate weakly or criticize, neutral if they simply point out facts that do not result in either:
Pro-Obama:
Anti-McCain:1
Pro-Biden:
Anti-Palin:
Pro-McCain: 2
Anti-Obama: 2
Pro-Palin: 1
Anti-Biden:
Neutral: 2
Yes, that is 150% in the Obama camp if I've ever seen it. Praise to the N.Y. Times for coming out strongly against the criticism:
The New York Times is committed to covering the candidates fully, fairly and aggressively. It’s our job to ask hard questions, fact-check their statements and their advertising, examine their programs, positions, biographies and advisers. Candidates and their campaign operatives are not always comfortable with that level of scrutiny, but it’s what our readers expect and deserve.
For those of you that really think there is media bias, I suggest you stop watching Fox News, and instead pick up some neutral statistical analysis, possibly read a book.
