The JT's main front page story Sunday was about the local Tea Party's bonfire in Caledonia. We also covered the bonfire (Pete provided, arguably, the most extensive coverage of the event), which was big news. Any time 3,000 people get together for political action, it's a meaningful event.
The JT didn't rest with coverage of the bonfire, though. They ran a second front page story on a 'voter ire' with Obama, particularly in Massachusetts where Republican Scott Brown holds a slight lead over Democrat Martha Coakley.
If that's not enough, opening the Sunday paper to page 3A finds two more anti-Obama stories covering the whole page. One has the headline, "Hope dissolves into disappointment," and a second story on the same page is headlined, "Poll shows growing disappointment with Obama's first-year performance." Catch a theme there? Obama is a "disappointment."
If the majority of the first three pages of the news section wasn't enough space dedicated to documenting the president's struggles, the Business page's lead story is about local construction contractors upset over Congress' proposed health care reforms.
And the paper's Sunday editorial attacked Democrats for picking on the tanning and "Bo-Tox" industries and making other deals to get the health care reforms passed.
For at least one day, and probably many more to come, hopefully we can rest the idea of the "liberal" media.
One day of honest coverage does not make a trend. A pendulum swing in either direction doesn't make it balanced. 3 years of pro dem policy stories then one day of coverage of the other side doesn't make them a balanced media outlet.
ReplyDeleteThe Journal-Times has become a depressing rag.
ReplyDeleteI still get it with hopes it will again become a positive community paper.
You have a great journalistic style and I now read the news you folks post everyday.
Your pictures are fantastic!
Keep up the GREAT WORK!
"For at least one day, and probably many more to come, hopefully we can rest the idea of the "liberal" media."
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...at this point media outlets cannot really ignore the Tea Party protests, but it sure took quite awhile until they did get any coverage. Yet, minor (and often silly) left-wing protests seem to get covered no problem.
Not bias, just facts.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very small, let me repeat, SMALL start, however hopefully the Racine Post duo will continue to at least try not to be so biased in their reporting.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the non-biased political reporting can carry over into Racine Post's bias with individuals they like/dislike as well.
Maybe even the Racine Post will begin applying the same blogging rules and deletions across the board, and not just delete negative posts about people they like.
Or maybe I am hoping for too much? Yeah, probably.
Plus the Journal Times will not allow comments on Paul Ryan commentary columns, despite allowing comments on everything else.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that was striking was their online posts about Haiti. On the first day that the story broke, they posted the question about what the U.S. involvement should be. This of course implies that there should be none. Who was talking about that topic in that way? Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly.
Later on, they finally posted the link on how people could help but it shure as hell seemed like an afterthought.
The American people as a whole do not share this selfish conservative outlook. The evidence can be found in the record number of donations.
I think the common theme here is that the JT is following the Fox model. As a business decision, it might be a great move considering the financial trouble they are in. Fox gets good ratings. They have a great lineup of entertainers, but not news people. Because of their political bias, they sometimes cover stories better than other outlets but it isn't hard to do when you are cheerleading and have the biggest megaphone.
The question is that this JT move comes at what cost? More money in exchange for journalistic integrity is not good for Racine. Conservatives will love it now, but the tide always turns so be careful what you ask for.
Don't worry. Enough retired union lackeys will write the JT to complain that they'll go back to their usual coverage.
ReplyDeleteAt a point you have to report the truth, if you like it or not.
ReplyDeleteOne day does not a trend make.
Sorry, "the media" is hardly comprised of just the Journal Times and the Racine Post. I'm not even a conservative and the national bias is very evident to me. And, yes, the two main media outlets in Racine (you and them) are bent to the left. 3,000 people ticked off at the government is big news to you? Those of us who live in the real work-a-day world of Racine, Wisconsin have been aware of this resentment toward government greed for a long time. Your constant coverage of downtown and exclusive events for the elitists of Racine proves how out of touch that you (and your Mayor) are with the working people of our city. I pray this momentum continues into the upcoming elections and purges our democracy of the oinkers that currently infect it.
ReplyDeleteConservatives are not selfish. We just don't want to give it to the government to spread around.
ReplyDeleteOrbs,
ReplyDeleteI often enjoy your nuggets in the comments here, but I was confused a bit by the last one, so I am hoping you can clarify...
You said...
"Your constant coverage of downtown and exclusive events for the elitists of Racine..."
My initial thought was... what exclusive events?
Party on the Pavement (Public)
Ice Sculpting (Public)
Polar Bear Lake Dip (Public)
Snowdance (Public)
GREAT Common Council coverage (Public)
The Tea-Party event (Public)
Art Walk (Public)
Thoughts for Food (Public)
Volunteerism (Public)
...
And the list goes on..
What exclusive/elitist events are you referring to?
Every event or announcement I have sent to the Post they have made sure to list and it's free. Nothing elitist here at all.
ReplyDeletePlus great photos.
An example we have a report on Feingold's opponent not paying any income tax (must be a crime to take every legal deduction) but NOTHING on media accounts of how Feingold acts at the local hearing sections the rude behavior etc, might it be because the Post is Liberal and likes Russ?
ReplyDeleteLiberal media controlling our minds is a conservative sponsored myth. Messaging in this country is primarily received through conservative outlets.
ReplyDeleteAnything that the "conservatives" do not agree with is the "liberal" media.
ReplyDeleteOrbs is correct in stating that the JT and RP are hardly overall "the media." CBS, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, etc. ARE the BIASED media, along with many other radio stations and newspapers. For every 50 liberal media sources out there, you can find only a couple conservative sources. The sum total of national conservatively biased reporting platforms are Rush, Glen Beck, Fox and a few other minor ones. So don't even try an convince anyone that the conservatives are the only biased reporting platforms out there.
ReplyDeleteIt was refreshing to read how the JT reported the Bonfire TEA Party. I know it was factual, I was there. It was also refreshing to see that they didn't only try to seek out and interview a few kooks in the crowd like they did with the Madison event last April. Yes, believe it or not, both sides have their weirdoes. One thing they did do, that I thought was tactful, was report that when Feingold's name was mentioned it raised a chorus of boo's from the crowd. They left out the number of raised voiced that shouted, "Hang him!"
I thought for once the JT did a fine job of reporting the facts. Just as they did on the other follow-up articles about Obama's disappointment and poll ratings. Now we see Dustin's true colors. The JT is all well and fine when reporting with liberal biased and beating up the conservatives. But let the JT report the facts that Dustin doesn't like and suddenly they are no longer fair and impartial. How hypocritical of you Dustin.
The evil that Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Napolitano and the rest of that shameless Nazi crowd are trying to pour over the American people is finally beginning to be countered by the moralists in our ranks (including Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and conservatives of every party). Now that one newspaper is finally printing the truth about what's going on and about Obama's waning approval rating, you lefties can't stand it and do what you are so famous for, attacking it.
The proof is in the pudding; if Brown wins in Massachusetts, it's all over for you socialists, fascists and liberals.
http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/ce51651c-0479-11df-a2db-001cc4c002e0.html
ReplyDeleteAnd this story about Mason being a scum bag will never get coverage at the Post
Tim the Shrubber. You are BLINDED by partisan ignorance.
ReplyDeleteThe Tea Parties have receive enormous, disproportionate coverage for a group of their size. This is primarily because they have very wealthy and influential lobbyist groups pushing their agenda in mainstream media.
Compare to the LGBT protest in DC (just weeks after the Tea Party Sept 12 protest, and just as large) which got no coverage in mainstream press. Compare to the enormous (10 times larger than the tea party's largest rally, many other similarly large events) pro-immigration rallies in 2005 and 2006, largely ignored. Or the Anti-War rallies which were completely ignored by the press for 8 years. Or the Fair Trade rallies that have been ignored by the press for 16 years.
The TRUE anomaly is that the Tea Party whiners get so much MORE press than ANY other protest group, with far fewer adherents and a MUCH less coherent political argument. (They can't even articulate what they're for. 'Duh.. we're against soshulizum.')
Yeah. Just thank your enormously wealthy financial backers for talking up your story in the halls of the media elite. I wonder if they have anything to gain from your ridiculous incoherent protests becoming a major news story.
I don't even know why I bother posting on these comments anymore. Racine's conservative commentators are pathetic and bush-league. I feel like AJ Hawk beating up on a bunch of toddlers.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, people usually complained of media bias when a story just didn't happen to confirm their own biases.
ReplyDeleteTo me it's just another example of media leaning in whichever way the politcal winds are blowing. They are profit-maximizing capitalists, as they should be, and as such their bias is going to sway in the direction of popular sentiment.
ReplyDeleteThe notion of liberal or conservative bias in the media is bogus, they're just doing whatever they can to maximize readership like they always have. If Obama's approval ratings rise up around 55% and his media coverage magically becomes more favorable, will you start whining about liberal bias or just acknowledge rational behavior from profit-maximizing capitalists?
My recommendation. Think for yourself and stop letting others think for you
"Tim the Shrubber. You are BLINDED by partisan ignorance.
ReplyDeleteYeah...that political independent party filled with moderates...we are such partisan extremists. Well, I might lean a bit to the right, but I am more moderate that 95% of the people posting on this blog.
"My recommendation. Think for yourself and stop letting others think for you"
ReplyDelete1. To think for oneself a person would need accurate and unbiased facts.
2. Nobody can truly think independently. We are all human beings and susceptible to human social dynamics.
Tim, your words:
ReplyDelete"Hmmmm...at this point media outlets cannot really ignore the Tea Party protests, but it sure took quite awhile until they did get any coverage. Yet, minor (and often silly) left-wing protests seem to get covered no problem."
Now, that's either PARTISAN ignorance, or its just REGULAR ignorance. I shouldn't jump to the conclusion of bias when it could also easilly be explained by genuine stupidity...
Don't underestimate factors of oversight or mistakes in any decisions that guide news coverage in any medium.
ReplyDelete"1. To think for oneself a person would need accurate and unbiased facts."
ReplyDeleteUm, okay, but I think I'm missing the point of that. The RacinePost rightly pointed out that the Sunday JT was filled with articles that painted the right in a more favorable light than the left, but noone suggested that any of those were not factually accurate. The JT could have easily filled the Sunday paper with left-favoring reports that were just as factually accurate. The issue is in which facts the media chooses to focus on. Luckily, in this day and age there is no shortage of information available to take a look at all sides of a debate if one so chooses. Unfortunately, most choose instead to look for facts to back up their own pre-existing beliefs, or even worse the beliefs that Glenn Beck or Keith Olberman told them to have.
"2. Nobody can truly think independently. We are all human beings and susceptible to human social dynamics."
Very true, which is why it's important to acknowledge those tendencies and take them into consideration when evaluating the facts presented in any article. Journalists may hold onto the ideal of journalistic independence, but they are just as susceptible to "human social dynamics" as anyone else.
Another factor to consider is change. The news media basically report how something has or could change.
ReplyDeleteIf things are the same, it tends not to be considered news. So, by definition, there is a built-in "bias," if you will, toward groups and events that focus on changing things.
Since "conservatives," by definition, tend to wish to preserve a status quo, or even turn it back, they often don't make the news. "Liberals," on the other hand, often are in the forefront of change, challenging the status quo. Therefore, liberal causes may tend to make the news more often.
In the case of the Teabag rally, it, too, wishes to change things, in this case, how government works. Therefore, it's going to get news coverage.
So, a perceived bias in the news may have nothing to do with political beliefs, per se, but only how people are acting on their political beliefs to change things.
It's a subtle distinction, true, but in most instances, a distinction with a real difference.
Think of two theoretical headlines:
"Politician introduces no new laws"
Or:
"Politician introduces health-care reform bill."
Which is going to get coverage?
Another factor to consider is change. The news media basically report how something has or could change.
ReplyDeleteIf things are the same, it tends not to be considered news. So, by definition, there is a built-in "bias," if you will, toward groups and events that focus on changing things.
Since "conservatives," by definition, tend to wish to preserve a status quo, or even turn it back, they often don't make the news. "Liberals," on the other hand, often are in the forefront of change, challenging the status quo. Therefore, liberal causes may tend to make the news more often.
In the case of the Teabag rally, it, too, wishes to change things, in this case, how government works. Therefore, it's going to get news coverage.
So, a perceived bias in the news may have nothing to do with political beliefs, per se, but only how people are acting on their political beliefs to change things.
It's a subtle distinction, true, but in most instances, a distinction with a real difference.
Think of two theoretical headlines:
"Politician introduces no new laws"
Or:
"Politician introduces health-care reform bill."
Which is going to get coverage?
Nine points the night before the election is a "slight lead?"
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you're referring to, but most polls suggest a 3-6 point margin of error, so a 9-point lead might only be safely characterized as "slight," just to hedge. Above all, media hates to be demonstrably wrong, so the hedge often is used.
The bias of racinepost doesn't start and end with politics. They've got their personal friends that they make sure they protect as well.
ReplyDeleteRandy,
ReplyDeleteIs an example of 'bias' your referral to the event as the "teabag rally" (a quite derogatory term) vs. the Racine TEA Party Rally?
Not that there's anything wrong with that because everyone's entitled to their point of view especially in the wild-west of the interwebs-blog-comments...
B
Randy - stop using the term teabag. That is mean-spirited and hurtful. Some might even conclude it's biased.
ReplyDeleteYes The Post will not dig into the information about RCEDC and how staff there worked with Mayor Becker. Nor will they look at the actions of Brian O'Connell in his job in Milwaukee and the role he played as relates to Community Gardens in that City and how that just might impact in Racine you know the Green City
ReplyDeleteRandy - crawl back into to your socialist hole - no one cares what you have to say. Change is on its way and it is going to start in Mass. today.
ReplyDelete"In the case of the Teabag rally..."
ReplyDeleteIn a comment on another post you commented wistfully on the good old days of bipartisanship, yet you turn around and use the terms 'teabag' and 'teabagging'. I know you are not the worst person on here for throwing around insults, but this use here pretty much undercuts the credibility of your professed desire for bipartisanship.
Pretty sad that Obama thought it more important to be in Boston rather than working on the economy, health care, Haiti, Afghanistan . Oh yes and Iraq, oh, sorry my mistake, we've won that war haven't we. I can see he has set his priorities.
ReplyDelete"I think I'm missing the point of that. "
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to say that people should think for themselves. However, even with the best attempt to think independently we are completely dependent on the facts we know, and hence the sources of our facts.
This is why discussions of media bias are so important. The news sources are blatantly one sided they tend to get disregarded, but the more subtle biases of issue priming and framing are where there is an effect. There several good books out there from Donald Kinder and Shanto Iyengar that discuss and present research on these effects.
The media never tells people what to think, but they can have a profound influence about what people think about and what facts are considered relevant to the issue.
Tim, et. al.,
ReplyDeleteTea Party people, then. Thanks.
Gee, a man who used to run the Journal Times refers to us as "teabaggers," but no, there is no bias, nope, uh-uh, not, nadda, nope.
ReplyDeleteAnd another one who works here keeps speaking favorably of a pedo, who just happens to have once been the darling of his political party.
No, no bias here...
BradK, it's nice that you can afford downtown Racine. Many Racinians cannot. While you and the wealthy dowagers sip wine and dine, think of us when you hear gunfire echoing in the ghetto a couple blocks away. Cheers!
Randy - Tell all your friends too. Regular folks who have come out to freely express their views should not be subject to such pejorative terms. Furthermore, you are fully aware of the the term's vulgar implications.
ReplyDeleteThose who hear the "elites" and wannabe "elites" (your category) use that term have every right to be offended by the disdain embedded.
Orbs,
ReplyDelete"BradK, it's nice that you can afford downtown Racine. Many Racinians cannot. While you and the wealthy dowagers sip wine and dine, think of us when you hear gunfire echoing in the ghetto a couple blocks away. Cheers!"
I'm a wealthy dowager? When did this happen and where is my said "dowage"? That's quite the assumption you made about me without knowing me.
I'm hardly ignoring the financial/economical issues in Racine (many of which are, as you said, prevalent near the downtown area). I was simply asking for clarification on your remarks that the post covers "elitist events."
Furthermore, I illustrated by listing several events that are free (or relatively inexpensive - relatively) and open to the public at large (many *in* downtown) that the Post has covered consistently and well. I even missed a few... Art Walk (free), First Fridays (free), Music on the Square (free)...
So again, my question is - what elitist events are you referring to?
"Not that there's anything wrong with that because everyone's entitled to their point of view especially in the wild-west of the interwebs-blog-comments..."
ReplyDeleteExcept OrbsCorbs, of course. Make a name for yourself misquoting others, Brad. I don't stoop to that level.
Orbs -
ReplyDeleteI'm missing where I misquoted you.
Additionally, to offer an apology, the line you copy/pasted from my post to Randy was intended as half-sarcasm. Clearly, it was poorly executed.
My point for Randy was despite the fact that the internet allows anyone to say anything doesn't mean it is any more *appropriate* to type it online than to speak it out loud when it is derogatory / hateful / mean spirited - and there are consequences for doing so (I believe Tim the Shrubber gave a loss of credibility as an example).
I also don't have any problem with you or anyone else espousing their point of view here. My comment / request to you was not an attempt by me to tell you you are "wrong" - but simply a request for clarification to a statement you had made because I was not readily able to come up with any of the exclusive / elitist events you were referring to.
See, this tit for tat thing, callings someone out by name repeatedly in an effort to get a rise out of them. Immature.
ReplyDeleteYou and I both know that downtown Racine is exclusive and elitist in the same way that Harvard University is or the Musée du Louvre is. Yes, they are "open to the public," but who is going to go there and who can afford it? $300 dresses for children on sale while families live on less that within spitting distance. All white, all right dowagers ("you AND," but you purposely misquote to make it appear I am calling you names) gliding around on First Fridays in a downtown financed and rebuilt with others' tax money. Exclusive, elitist, criminal, and disgusting.
The fact that you come back here after a day to pick a fight with me speaks volumes. Click on my avatar and email me if you wish to meet and discuss this like men. But I suspect that you just wanna flame on the net. Therefore, to quote on of my least favorite people, "You are dismissed!"
Orbs,
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself emailed. Looking forward to your reply.
B
More game playing. I read the email. You do NOT want to meet and discuss it like men, just continue the BS in another venue.
ReplyDelete12th and Schiller and midnight - you name the day, coward.
Oops, @ midnight.
ReplyDeleteYou two stop fighting or I will send both of you to your rooms!
ReplyDeleteWhatever dude. I wasn't looking to pick a fight, I was looking to sit down, have a chat, and understand your views. You offered face to face via email arrangement, and then dismissed my acceptance as game playing.
ReplyDeleteI'm through here. I thought talking to you would benefit and broaden my knowledge of the people who post here, but clearly the chip on your shoulder makes that impossible.
Take care, man.
Guess 12th and Schiller isn't elitist enough for a meet. Why do I always have to go to the enemy's camp? Why don't they ever come to the hood?
ReplyDeleteThe majority of my comments on the Racine Post will be anonymous from now on. I'm tired of attracting flies. When you read "oinkers" or "porkies" or "soueee," it will probably be me referring to the porkers in power.
Orbs - the majority of business owners downtown are far from being elitists. Many of them are living on a shoe string, so why should we not go downtown, shop and support our local owners? Why would you promote killing their business and livelyhood by not going downtown. You are a very sad individual, always looking for fault in everything.
ReplyDeleteSo Orbs, am I less of a person if I don't live in your so called 'hood? Judging from the below the soapbox, it appears that I am.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this?
SDJ
(He asks again)
Oh my what will the Post do if Brown wins and the Obama train goes off the tracks take every local Dem with him?
ReplyDelete2:57 - we can only hope!
ReplyDeleteorbs - am I more of a man if I sign my anonymous internet comments with my initials?
ReplyDeleteSTD
So what are the advantages of not remaining anonymous? Should I post my name, address, phone number? Will this change my opinion? Do I care? Does having my own blog with a strange moniker really change anything?
ReplyDeleteI have my children to protect and there are some creepy people out there. Some know who I am and that's the way I will keep it. I don't post anything here that I need to be accountable for.
SDJ
Scott Brown - Mary Jo's Revenge!
ReplyDeleteMason,Lehman,and Dickert. Say Night Dick
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:43 PM is proof that there can still be life after brain death. In fact, it is laughable that anyone even thinks that the mainstream media (i.e. liberal press) would back so much publicity for the TEA parties and help them promote their conservative platform. He even accuses them of being bribed by conservatives to cover their stories and ignore the left. What a dunce!
ReplyDeleteHe posts again as Anon 7:41 PM and accuses the mainstream media of favoring "whichever way the political winds are blowing." That is probably the most stupid statement ever posted on this site. If a Republican farts in the wrong direction, that is front page news. But, if a Democrat does it, well, that business as usual, the way things are done, and totally acceptable. Anon, you have no business whatsoever advising people to think rationally when you are obviously so totally incapable of doing so yourself.
Something else you should know professor Anon, the "TEA party" refers to the event. They are not a political party. Agreed, they are made up of conservatives and moderates, but it is not a political party.
Oh, and here's something just to help you sleep tonight: Brown WON in Mass.!
"Scott Brown - Mary Jo's Revenge!"
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty tacky, and disrespectful to the memory of Ms. Kopechne.
wait wait wait a minute... it's not the liberal media... it's the liberal scientists...
ReplyDeleteWasn't the Iraq "mission accomplished' already ?
How we forget the card trick even as our money is being taken from the table!
The tide is changing - Randy and your socialistic buddies are coming down in smoke. If a Democrat can't win in Mass. - they won't be able to win any where - look out Russ, your day is coming.
ReplyDeleteNot one word about the upset in Massachusetts on this site or the JT's. No, no bias, it's just that Haiti is more important to Americans than their own health care, right?
ReplyDelete