Media on the Economy

[volinbham]

I'm bored - how about another discussion of the role of the media? :dance2:

Actually, just wanted to share this report from the Business and Media Institute. Sure they have an agenda - promoting free enterprise. Here's the results of a year long content analysis of economic coverage.

Enjoy...

BMI Special Report -- Bad News Bears


Here's an excerpt.

Two years ago, the same slant returned. BusinessWeek Chief Economist Michael J. Mandel said the September 2004 economy was similar to the one Clinton enjoyed before re-election. He called it “good news for Bush” that “the economy looks uncannily like it did in the summer of 1996,” citing several variables – unemployment rate, inflation and consumer confidence – as similar for both incumbents.
But the media’s treatment was far different. Stories about jobs during Clinton’s reelection campaign were positive more than six times as often as they were for Bush, according to a previous Business & Media Institute report. Journalists praised the Clinton unemployment rate of 5.6 percent as “low,” but downplayed a 5.4-percent rate under Bush, calling job growth “anemic.”

 

[CSpindizzy]

I seem to remember the GOP talking down the economy in the late 90's. I even have a few pieces of paper from various candidates and elected officials doing so. Seeing the numbers at that time and what was being said makes you wonder what numbers they were looking at.

 

[Lexvol]

Spin, that is what politicians are supposed to do. The media on the other hand.....

 

[CSpindizzy]

I don't seem to recall where the Media Code of Conduct said this was not allowed.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Check the history of media in this country alone. All the press was good for in the 1700's was propaganda on the part of Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Opposing sides bought up papers and printed pure spin on everything. The only thing factual was the obituaries.

 

[volinbham]

Damn that federalist-biased media :realmad:

 

[CSpindizzy]

Hey, that particular biased media gave us our Constitution. Better than the opposing side's version.

 

[Lexvol]

Check the history of media in this country alone. All the press was good for in the 1700's was propaganda on the part of Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Opposing sides bought up papers and printed pure spin on everything. The only thing factual was the obituaries.

If only they called it propaganda. I would be willing to reconsider if the media was honest and clear about their position. So before any of the major networks did a story, they should preface with hear are the democratic talking points on the economy (unless they are Fox of course).

The more liberal types actually act like they are journalists.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Well all news is a matter of spin and opinion anyway. Networks pick and choose stories that sell and draw ratings. The only way to even get close to the truth is view the CNN types and then the FNC types and hit the middle and that is pretty close to the way it happened.