As a columnist and a reporter, I’ve gotten a lot of backlash for things I’ve written. Dissent and criticism are always a part of writing, no matter what the medium is. I respect the criticism I’ve received from readers because it has helped me to understand the difference between an opinion column and a legitimate news story.
I’ve noticed that readers seem to understand the difference between the two as well, but only in print form. When the concept of an opinion column is translated to broadcast media, the intention often gets a little lost in translation and viewers cease to understand the difference. When a broadcast news network makes the mistake of producing a show that serves as a platform for an individual’s stance on important issues instead of reporting those issues objectively, the network risks losing its professional credibility.
Such is the situation that three conservative news mainstays have created: Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
While Beck’s show has been replaced by “The Five,” the stance that Beck took on important issues has not diminished his polarizing presence on the national media scene. He and Bill O’Reilly are the two most recognizable figures on FOX News, something that I think is dangerous to the practice of media literacy in this country.
Many Americans don’t know the difference between a legitimate news broadcast and a show like The O’Reilly Factor, particularly older Americans in the same age group as Beck and O’Reilly. People in their mid-60s and older didn’t grow up with the very diverse range of media that younger people grew up with, particularly those younger than 30. This makes it difficult for many older adults to understand what constitutes unbiased reporting, something they think they’re getting from shows like O’Reilly’s, who’s famous tag line is, “You are now entering the no-spin zone.”
As conservative pundits, part of the job description for Beck and Limbaugh and the like is to offer their analysis of political events and current affairs. But with older Americans being media illiterate and the majority of young Americans “checked out,” mainstream media is in danger of losing one of the values that makes news news: objectivity. When the most recognized media professionals in the business do not discuss the issues from a neutral standpoint, it sends the message that objectivity is an overrated news value and news viewers come to expect it less and less.
Before you chalk this column up to another byproduct of liberal media, consider this: I’m a conservative Republican, and, for the most part, I agree with the political standpoints of all three.
But the anti-Islam, racist and xenophobic rhetoric of the right wing media, headed up by O’Reilly, Beck and Limbaugh, are professionally inappropriate for the American news industry.
While I doubt they consider themselves actual journalists, many of their viewers do see them as legitimate parts of the news industry. Until the day the United States does not have a democratic government, it is essential for all members of the American mainstream press to perform with a degree of objectivity.
As American news consumers, we can expect nothing less from our news media professionals.
Maddie Shannon is a former columnist and Arts & Entertainment editor for The Collegian.
Robert Peugh • Nov 9, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Hello Maddie,
As a fellow conservative, I am not sure if I agree with you on these points. Mainly because all reporting regardless of personal bias has editors and owners who publish content based on what they are betting will bring in the most revenue. Some are less obvious at this than others, but all media reporting will have an agenda, admitted or not.
With regard to your claims against Glenn Beck, I’ve been a fan of his for quite some time and have never seen or heard any of the “anti-Islam, racist and xenophobic rhetoric of the right wing media” on his program on Fox or his new project GBTV. Could you please cite your sources on this? I believe this stance is based on opinion and interpretation, not fact. When published the burden of evidence rests on the reporter’s sources for claims like this.
Why is it Mr. Beck and other talk show host’s responsibility to be unbiased? Beck is by definition a conservative talk show host. When he uses his platform to break “news,” his viewers understand that the story will be reported from his political and philosophical viewpoint. What’s more, they are not “zombie” people that have been seduced into thinking it’s their local newscast. His viewers, like anyone else’s viewers, tune in because they have a lot in common with his viewpoint. This is not due to being underexposed to proper media or somehow being lazy with media consumption.
I know this is an opinion piece, however be careful how you frame your arguments about conservative pundits. By saying “Before you chalk this column up to another byproduct of liberal media” and then saying “the anti-Islam, racist and xenophobic rhetoric of the right wing media,” you put yourself in a peculiar place. You claim to not be liberal, but disavow right wing media; you are not somehow not biased, yet claim to be a conservative and agree with their views. I understand that this is an opinion column, but you chalk up other individual’s success to an ignorant mass public, thus alienating those who would like these programs. You also contradict yourself about being unbiased.
As a friend, fellow conservative, and reader please understand: no news will ever conform to unbiased reporting. Just be genuine…it’s what people want. This opinion piece in the collegian was genuine for you. In that way, it has been a success. Just don’t claim you are unbiased and objective when everybody knows that it’s simply impossible for any network or news agency. Everybody believes they are unbiased, fair, and right in their own mind. The reality is that they simple are not.
Your friend,
Robert Peugh
joshua4234 • Nov 9, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Hate to break it to you, Maddie, but it’s more than just the opinion news masquerading as fair news coverage on fox that is biased. Every show on there spins things and takes orders from the top about what they should say in their segment (a few are better than others). There are hundreds of examples built up over the years documented in the youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/liberalviewer . I doubt any avid fox news watcher will even consider looking at evidence that they may be being misled though. I’m not saying you’d have to change your position or not be conservative, but that organization is intentionally spinning stories and leaving things out for their political purpose. And before the obvious “team” politics, I’m not saying go watch msnbc. They are corporate media and have a few of the same faults. There are better ways of getting much less biased news today given our new luxury of the internet than having it spoon fed to you by giant corporate power. As is particularly obvious from the satirical rant of greg here, some people are still falling for this mentally that it’s this game of us verses them like we’re on sports teams and it’s msnbc vs fox news. They are both corporations with their own goals with a hierarchy that’s not kept in business by giving honest news about what matters and being held accountable by the people (even though I happen to agree more with the opinion of more liberal shows). Support independent news media, even if it’s from people that tend to lean a little more towards your political beliefs.
Greg • Nov 9, 2011 at 3:35 pm
On behalf of your readers who have the misfortune of being over the age of 40, let me say thank you Maddie! All these years living in ignorance – unable to distinguish between opinion and “balanced” reporting. You have opened my eyes! How were you able to figure this out? It must be because you are so media literate and most of the rest of us too parochial and ignorant to grasp the subtlety of a Rush Limbaugh.
This probably also explains the reason that young people have “checked out” as you say – or just rely on Jon Stewart for their news. You already know it all! All those old fogeys who found young Americans ignorance of the nation’s history and institutions, current events and world affairs frightening, failed to understand that these were simply signs of your sophistication as media consumers.
Finally, thanks for identifying the culprits who have bamboozled ‘older” Americans so. Before these 3 ushered in the era of opinion “news” shows, the airways were replete with journalists of integrity like yourself – a massive “no opinion zone.” If we just banned these types from the airways Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman and – dare we dream? – yourself, could give us the straight scoop. No need to worry that you would allow your opinions to creep into the story – not that we would know if you did! Then we could all rest assured that when you call someone a racist, it’s not because you disagree with their viewpoint – they truly hate all Muslims, African-Americans, Latinos, LGBT etc… What a wonderful world it will be!