The MSM, Journalism and the Role of Bias

I received an e-mail alerting me to the Capital Times' admission that it is "Wisconsin's Progressive Newspaper" (see the smallish type in the skyline silhouette).

First, it's important to consider whether the Times' use of the term progressive is meant in the sense that should frighten poor conservatives like me.

For a number of reasons - including publishing out of a very liberal capital that is locked into the liberal University mindset, and the nature of journalism post-Watergate as well as the examples in the e-mail - it's probably safe to assume that the Times is speaking in the political vernacular.

But let's be honest. Publications are about two things: Making money through advertising, and making a statement that a significant number of readers will identify with so there will be someone to receive the ad messages that are being sold.

In other words, it's about money.

Unfortunately, certain idealists have sold themselves as Lady Justice of the blindfold and scales, among them Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein and Dan Rather. Socially, Americans have embraced the nobility of the idea - if not the impracticality. Bias is part of the weave of life, regardless of whether it's life circumstances or experiences that produce a certain viewpoint.

It should never be taken for granted that publishers, editors or reporters are free of bias, at all times. They may strive to be fair and balanced, but it's the task of Sysiphus. Every time they face that boulder, they have the same hill to climb and no guarantee of accomplishing it.

Likewise, readers have the same task before them - to consider the facts, wording and bias in contrast with other reasonable sources (preferrably primary sources).

So, do I care that the CapTimes calls itself "progressive"? Yes.

But I already considered a number of things, such as the fact that publishing is an enterprise that has to identify with its readers as well as being a human endeavor with a certain quasi-homogenized worldview, before anyone bothered to point out the liberal lean of the Times and its staff.

I'm just glad they've officially raised the progressive flag. It makes it that much easier to cipher the politics of what goes into - or stays out of - the Times.

CP @ GMC.