Newsrooms need different beliefs
One political view leads to a story bias when reporting events

It is said in the news business that the only marketable commodity journalists possess is credibility. If a media outlet has a reputation for objective, unbiased reporting, then most readers will be likely to follow that outlet’s reporting. If, however, a media outlet is known as a “liberal rag,” then only liberals will read it.

Is there a liberal bias in the media? For some people, that is a bit like asking if the Pope is Catholic. However, it is a legitimate question to ask, because it affects the media’s credibility. If you believe that there is a liberal bias in the media, then you are more likely to shrug off what is reported. As a result, this belief will affect your ability to be updated and informed on current events.

You may wonder if I believe that there is a liberal bias in the media. I must say yes, but I don’t believe that it is as extreme as some may believe. I don’t believe, for instance, in a vast conspiracy of liberal journalists controlling all the media outlets so that only their views are represented.

John P. Araujo/SKIFF STAFF

However, many members of the media do seem to be liberal or Democrat and usually both. Surveys of the voting patterns of the media tend to show them disproportionately (as compared to public ratios) voting Democratic. With so many members of the media voting the same way, it is bound to affect the way news is presented. Below is an example.

While I consider myself liberal, I hold some views that are not consistent with the usual liberal mindset. The choices of labels used in the media reflect this mindset. For instance, I consider myself a “pro-life advocate,” but in news reports, I would be defined as an “abortion rights opponent.” In other words, I am presented as “opposed to a right,” which is a negative in our society.

Just being an “abortion rights opponent” is enough for my more liberal colleagues to label me as a conservative, but what about my opposition to the death penalty, which is often considered a liberal value? In that instance, I would be referred to as a “moderate.”

(Being called a “pro-life liberal” is probably too much to ask.)

Every media outlet should have a true diversity of viewpoints represented on the staff. If everyone on the staff is either liberal or conservative, then it would be difficult for all the angles of a given topic to be covered. Plus, it is much easier for a sense of “group think” to set in where everyone feels compelled to believe along the same lines.

You the reader, however, can make a difference in how the media presents their stories. If you do not like how one media outlet conducts it’s reporting, you can go to someone else. It is called voting with your feet and the media will get the message if too many people walk away. Even the media does not want bad press.

Another important tool is letters to the editor. Nothing wakes up an editor like a lot of negative letters. If enough readers respond, then that forces the newspaper (or other media outlet) to look at how the topic was presented. If you sit and stew silently, then the media outlet will not know how you feel about what they’ve reported on, and thus, nothing will be done about it.

The best citizens are informed citizens, because informed citizens have the power of the vote — whether at the ballot box or with their feet — to keep the influential powers in our society in check. If you do not utilize your power of the vote, those in power will be less inclined to watch how they conduct themselves. This will make it harder to raise your voice later — if indeed you will be able to at all. So when it comes to your voice in our democracy, the phrase “use it or lose it” says it best.

John P. Araujo is a graduate student from Fort Worth.
He can be reached at (j.araujo@tcu.edu).

Editorial policy: The content of the Opinion page does not necessarily represent the views of Texas Christian University. Unsigned editorials represent the view of the TCU Daily Skiff editorial board. Signed letters, columns and cartoons represent the opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor: The Skiff welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be typed, double-spaced, signed and limited to 250 words. To submit a letter, bring it to the Skiff, Moudy 291S; mail it to TCU Box 298050; e-mail it to skiffletters@tcu.edu or fax it to 257-7133. Letters must include the author’s classification, major and phone number. The Skiff reserves the right to edit or reject letters for style, taste and size restrictions.