An investigative reporter for MSNBC recently found that of journalists who contributed money to politicians or political organizations, the vast majority gave to Democrat and liberal causes. Despite the rants of the wingnut right about the bias of the Librul Media, it seemed to me that this should only be natural and expected, considering what they do. A commenter to a NY Times blog pretty much summed it up.
It’s true that many college professors, journalists, scientists, ethicists, philosophers, teachers, free-lance writers, lean to the left. It’s also true they have a higher aggregate IQ than the general populace. (hmmm…)
It’s also true that people who make a lot of money (lawyers, doctors, stockbrokers, etc.) were usually more liberal, and as their assets grew, they moved against their ethics and logic to the right to protect their pocketbooks. Human nature.
Those who were born rich, and stay that way, tend towards the right. Gun toting loonies who don’t like diversity also tend towards the right. Religious fundamentalists lean way right. People who make tortured unsustainable arguments often confuse being right wing with patriotism (uh, RLJ?) Voters who still support Libby, a convicted criminal, Gonzales (is Fredo really dirty, mommy?) and think Rumsfeld and Feith are great military minds are certainly on the right. They generally don’t work as reporters either. (their SAT scores on the writing section weren’t all that nifty, so…well,you get the picture.)
Are all GOP supporters stupid? No. Most of the rich ones just pretend to be, to allow them the luxury of pretending ethics don’t matter. Is it coincidence that the states that still allow corporal punishment in schools are almost without exception the Red states? Red necks who think beating your children is a “good thing” generally vote right.
So am I supposed to be surprised that most reporters, who are some of the brightest and most loquacious citizens, tend to lean left? The reality is that mainstream media is centrist most of the time, as most good reporters are scrupulous in leaving personal bias out of the equation. The exception tends to be on the right, where Fox is obviously partisan. (whereas corporal punishment of Fox reporters is tempting, we know better.)
Check out the Center for American Progress latest report on talk radio, and the overwhelming bias of right wing propaganda. Can I see a study of nationally syndicated talk radio hosts and their political contributions? (Please include the multiple appearances of right wing politicians like Mr. Sessions, Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Snow)
— Posted by Holcombe Hurd
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