I suppose there is no surprise here. The figures are for 2008 and are from Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting [look here]. The FAIR folks are trumpeting the increase in media reliance on "progressive" organizations. But three things are important: (1) This may be a blip caused by the mistaken perception that the newly elected President was a progressive and the media seeking views or reactions "his" camp.(2) The top 25 list of sources is dominated by Centrist & Conservative outfits - indeed they nearly sweep the top 10. And (3) the left-right spectrum in American politics has hardly stood still in recent decades, the Republicans have dragged it inexorably rightward. So who knows what "centrist" means? (Thanks MSH!)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Q: Where Does the Media Turn for Information & Opinions? A: Rightward
I suppose there is no surprise here. The figures are for 2008 and are from Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting [look here]. The FAIR folks are trumpeting the increase in media reliance on "progressive" organizations. But three things are important: (1) This may be a blip caused by the mistaken perception that the newly elected President was a progressive and the media seeking views or reactions "his" camp.(2) The top 25 list of sources is dominated by Centrist & Conservative outfits - indeed they nearly sweep the top 10. And (3) the left-right spectrum in American politics has hardly stood still in recent decades, the Republicans have dragged it inexorably rightward. So who knows what "centrist" means? (Thanks MSH!)
