Journalists discuss whether or not the media was and is “in the tank” for Obama

From Star-Telegram

Are the news media biased toward President Barack Obama?

David Brooks, a conservative columnist for The New York Times, said yes before a sold-out crowd of about 700 Wednesday at Texas Christian University. Mark Shields, a nationally syndicated liberal columnist, said no.

Brooks and Shields were part of a panel hosted by Bob Schieffer, a former Star-Telegram reporter and moderator of CBS News’ Face the Nation. The other panelists were Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of PBS’ Washington Week and Trish Regan, co-anchor of CNBC’s The Call.

The discussion ranged from General Motors to the war in Afghanistan and the demise of newspapers. But the program’s theme was “Obama and the Press: Is the media doing its job”? The panelists answered the question during the forum and more extensively during a pre-forum news conference. Regan was unable to attend the conference.

Response

Brooks: “I think the press is pro-Obama. Most of my colleagues are extremely committed to the craft of journalism. So I think most of the bias is unconscious — in framing the issues and what gets paid attention to.”

Shields: “I personally believe that the press has a serious bias when it comes to presidential politics in favor of winners. If you win, you’re a genius. If you lose, you’re somehow inadequate. That’s the bias we have.” He noted that four years ago former President George W. Bush’s campaign architect Karl Rove was considered a genius. “I haven’t heard that about him in the last three years.”

Ifill: “Intensity” would be a better word than bias. “I have been around people who always say, ‘What do you think is going to happen next?’ They’re so nervous. They’ve counted so much on this presidency. I think sometimes the coverage is being driven by the intensity of voters.”

Schieffer, a 1959 TCU graduate: Most journalists are focused on getting the story. “We’re never going to do a perfect job. We’re never going to satisfy everybody. I myself think the press has done a pretty good job considering the problems that confront the country.”

So the next time you hear Chris Matthews says that he gets a thrill up his leg after listening to Obama, just remember it’s not bias but intensity. Thanks to Ifill for clearing that up.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author