Another great column at Media Matters by Jamison Foser

[whometense]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200607150001

About the media's ridiculously unbalanced coverage of blogs and "blog rage." Jamison Foser is a national treasure.

This phenomenon isn't limited to coverage of bloggers, of course. In July 2004, the first edition of this newsletter noted that liberals are frequently portrayed by the media as "angry" and full of "hate," while conservatives escape similar characterization:

The contrast in media coverage of controversial remarks by comics Whoopi Goldberg and Dennis Miller illustrates how pervasive the "mean, angry liberal" story line has become. More than a week after Goldberg made comments at a July 8 fundraiser for Senator John Kerry, the cable news networks continued to devote significant primetime attention to the controversy around her remarks. But Miller's comments at a rally for President George W. Bush, in which he suggested a homosexual relationship between Kerry and Senator John Edwards, got relatively little attention. Media Matters for America reviewed FOX News Channel, MSNBC, and CNN primetime coverage between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET) on July 15 and found that the three cables addressed Whoopi Goldberg's remark a total of 19 times. In contrast, Dennis Miller's comments were addressed only twice; CNN Crossfire co-host Paul Begala called it "an interesting example of the double standard in the media."

Continuing the double standard, on July 21, USA Today ran an article titled "Celebrities declare own war -- on Bush" that asserted "Bush-bashing is turning into an en vogue celebrity sport. But unsolicited anti-Bush rhetoric, which appears to be spinning out of control, is alienating both Republicans and Democrats." USA Today didn't mention Miller's anti-Kerry rhetoric, or vitriolic Kerry-bashing from such right-wing figures as Rush Limbaugh. As Salon.com's Eric Boehlert wrote, "Tip for USA Today; just because the RNC claims Bush-hating celebrities are out of control, that doesn't make it so. Let alone news."

Sign the petition!!! http://mediamatters.org/hatefree

Join Media Matters in sending a message to news organizations that angry, hateful, violence-inciting demagogues like Coulter don't deserve the prominence and influence they're given. Sign our petition -- and tell your friends and family about it.

[ProSense]

1. Excellent article!

Good stuff from beginning to end:

Media pounce on "screeching," "frothing bloggers" -- while waving on conservatives who advocate ... murder

Snip...

So while the media ridicule liberals as crazy and angry, they not only grant a platform to hatemongers like Ann Coulter -- they allow her inane and hostile ramblings to set the agenda, to drive the national conversation.

[karynnj]

2. Thanks - I signed the petition

I never even heard Dennis Miller's jokes. They were likely suggesting the same with the Cameron (Fox metrosexual fake story - for which he didn't get fired) and the idiotic "Kerry is orange" stuff.

[globalvillage]

3. Me, too.

Everyone should sign this. We really have to stand up to the media. The bias is almost completely unchecked. People like Glen Beck who have a regular forum are dangerous, because he presents himself as 'mainstream'. At least with Coulter, everyone knows which side of the fence she's on.