I Don't Believe The MSM has ANYBODY'S Back

[WeDidIt]

The MSM came under heavy criticism from the left after the 2004 election for not debunking the Swift Boat Liars for Bush.

They came under heavy fire during the primaries from some partisan Republicans for not debunking some of the lies the Republican candidates told about each other.

Since they came under fire for not debunking lies from both sides, the MSM determined it must actually do its job ad fact check the shit being spewed.

All we are seeing is the end result of that. It benefits Obama simply because candidates in both the primaries and the general election have had no choice but to resort to a kitchen sink strategy. Kitchen sink strategies were notoriously successful over the past 30 years or so because the press notoriously didn't do its job and fact check the allegations.

So, now that we have a pseudo-operational fourth estate, the advantage goes to the recipient of the massive smear campaigns.

[liberal N proud]

1. It is the media's job to filter the lies and debunk the smear

They are to report the facts and should not provide commentary except during a noted commentary section.

They should remain unbiased regardless of their personal views. If they can't do that, the people will no longer value them and they will become useless.

[Az]

2. The MSM does not back anyone truly

They just have lost their way and no longer serve the purpose they are supposed to. They have become a sensationalized institution dedicated to making sure the viewers do not switch away during the commercials. That is their only real function any longer. So they keep people scared and titillated. And they have to keep it dumbed down in order to maximize their reach.

The upshot is that the party that is willing to use sensationalist tactics and play the game to dupe the people can take full advantage of the current form of the media. While the party that actually tries to run on issues and ideas is going to be left in the dust because frankly such matters don't sell cars or pharmaceuticals.

[stuntcat]

3. definitely not the people's

I blame them for making everyone afraid and not telling them about the science. No matter what they do from now on they have pretty much fucked the entire planet. And our country, we'll be paying for the stuff Bush has done until I die.

[vaberella]

4. The only "back" they have is called SENSATIONALISM.

If you provide none, then you're worthless. Blitzer is a perfect example. The rest just like spewing lies.

[rocktivity]

5. They've got two problems: McCain's flagrant disrespect for them, and the blogosphere

The McCain camp--indeed, the entire GOP--couldn't care less if the MSM doesn't like getting only 90-second peeks at McCain's medical records or being ordered to treat Sarah Palin with "deference". They get away with it because they know that the MSM knows that it's in their best interests that McCain win. But the MSM knows that the less they fight back, the less credible they become, and the more their viewers will turn to--WAIT FOR IT!!!--the blogosphere for information that has at least a nodding acquaintance with reality and truth. While Olbermann, Maddow, and Cafferty provide the suggestion of fairness and balance, the MSM still basically lives in fear of incurring the wrath of the Bush White House. The disconnect between their reaction to Palin's misstatements, arrogance, and flirtatiousness at the VP debate and the polls overwhelmingly calling the debate for Biden is a perfect example.

:headbang:
rocknation