ABC's Halperin: Press Is Liberally Biased, Needs Reform [Another stunning admission of the truth!]

NewsBusters ^ | Matthew Sheffield

[RatherBiased.com]

The national press corps is justifiably looked upon with suspicion by conservatives and in dire need of reform if it wishes to regain their confidence, especially since that's a sound business strategy.

Those are the words of ABC News political director Mark Halperin who on last night's "O'Reilly Factor" provided a resounding endorsement of the idea that the elite American media needs to stop being liberally biased. (Video available in WMV or Real. MP3 audio also available, transcript is after the jump.)

In a followup to an Oct. 19 internet posting in which he sarcastically implied

that reporters take their cues from Democrats and liberal activists, Halperin stated that the press should use the 2006 elections as an opportunity to regain the public trust:

"In this country, we've got these old news organizations, the major networks, ABC, where you [O'Reilly] used to work, the New York Times, the Washington Post. These organizations have been around a long time, and for 40 years conservatives have looked with suspicion at them. I think we've got a chance in these last two weeks to prove to conservatives that we understand their grievances, we're going to try to do better, but these organizations still have incredible sway, and conservatives are certain that we're going to be out to get them. We've got to fix that."

Halperin also commended the Fox News Channel business model as being inclusive of all Americans:

"I think everybody in the old media better be [...] saying, 'Are we being fair to everybody involved in the American political process?' Even if you don't believe the argument, Bill, that we make, in 'The Way to Win,' that there are some examples over the years that are pretty significant, of showing why conservatives are aggrieved, even if you're a liberal and you don't believe that, believe that half the country feels that way. And as an economic model, if you want to thrive like Fox News Channel, you want to have a future, you better make sure conservatives find your product appealing if you're going to do the right thing. You got to do it."

[OldFriend]

Hah, says one thing, does another. AFter all, he is selling a book! ho hum.

[Fiddlstix]

What was the purpose?

Because I wanted to J

Almost every graphic I have ever posted has a clickable link.
I suggest you don't click my posts anymore.
Have a good day J

[OldFriend]

No need to tell you not to hold your breath while Halperin 'looks' into campaign fraud by her heinous!

At least he's on the record and that may give certain people fits.

[doug from upland]

We need to generate publicity if the story is going to be told.

[doug from upland]

Halperin had a field producer call me yesterday. Let's see where it goes.

[riverrunner]

"I think everybody in the old media better be [...] saying, 'Are we being fair to everybody involved in the American political process?'

It is not a question of their being "fair". It is that with their twisted perception of reality, they cannot be "fair". What they think is "objective" is enormously biased. Their world-view consists of such obviously wrong, or at least, arguable "truths" such as:

Women are better than men.

Blacks are incapable of racism.

Capitalists are morally depraved.

We must conform to the Kyoto protocols to "save the planet".

Only the government can help "the poor". They can not help themselves.

Poor people are poor through no fault of their own.

All money belongs to the government, what you are allowed to "keep" is an example of government largess.

"Guns cause crime"

"Poverty causes crime"

"Property is theft"

With a world view that includes these twisted ideas that do not conform with reality, as they chose stories and how to react to them, they must constantly use bias to make the stories conform to their world view. If they do not, they lose the trust of their editors, their peers, and their cultural group. Eventually, their career takes a dive and they, with rare exceptions, lose it.

The tide has now turned, and some organizations are now allowing different world-views, that are much closer to reality, to have a voice. But, these organizations are new media, not the old, and the MSM will be unable to change their world view to compete. Let them die, or go bankrupt and be taken over by new management with a clean broom. That is the only way the vast majority will ever experience real reform.

[bandleader]

Imagine That!Who'd A Thunk It?

[defenderSD]

Yeah that's true. Also, the Dems seem to have spies everywhere in the media telling them what stories are in the works. IMO, it's a close call whether it's better to give this publicity ahead of time.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

When they feel the heat, they see the light. But it's too late for them. They are yesterday's news.

[bandleader]

The"Political Directors"at ALL the Alphabet Soup Networks Get Their"Talking Points"(Marching Orders)DIRECTLY From The DNC!!!!!!!!!!

[Digger]

The only reason the MSM would change their liberal stance is for money. They're getting their collective @sses kicked by FOX in the ratings.

Here's the kicker. In a real objective world FOX would not even be known as conservative outlet.

[liberallarry]

Its too late for reform

Wrong. Free speech and voting have always been with us.

In any society there will always be differences of opinion and interest and these will be reflected in speech and actions - as they should be. Objectivity in the political sphere is impossible.

There's nothing wrong with the mainstream media, nothing to reform. It's only necessary to recognize that they represent particular points of view...and are open to criticism as such.

The worst danger is that a particular interest will dominate to such an extent that others cannot be heard. That's not the case today. Absolutely not.

[zerosix]

"Just what the heck is a "Political Director" at ABC News?"

He's someone who is in constant communication with the DemocRAT Party and tells "news writers" how to slant the "news" so that it confirms the talking points, the DemocRAT Party is promoting.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Just what the heck is a "Political Director" at ABC News?

This position s responsible for spiking stories which benefit Republicans or harm Democrats.

[billhilly]

It is hard to imagine any business, other than media, choosing to inflame half of its potential customer base, and expect to survive in a competetive environment.

It looks like the media was the last to realize that they had competition from new sources, in all probability driven by their long held belief in their superiority and infallability. All of a sudden, where did the advertising dollars go, where did the customers go?

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Um..m..m -- just a guess -- covers political news - in theory the entire political spectrum."

How could a network claim to be politically objective when their conservative opinion comes from George Stephanopoulus?

[Little Ray]

Yeah. They some way to keep people from noticing or publishing it, like the Fairness Doctrine on the air, and Net Neutrality on the Internet.
That's their idea of reform...

[El Cid]

RE: #9

Yup, unfortunately that is how I see it also.
Say things what you think the audience wants to hear. Maybe throw them a bone here and there - but no substantial changes in the offing. I don't believe they are capable of change -- their liberal and anti-American streak is just too ingrained into their DNA.

[Terabitten]

It is not a question of their being "fair". It is that with their twisted perception of reality, they cannot be "fair". What they think is "objective" is enormously biased.

Something I've noticed lately is that you hear a lot about "providing context" for the news. That's bullsh*t and should be reserved for the editorial pages only. I want the media to report who, what, when, where, and how. The "why" is MY job to determine, not theirs.

[OldFriend]

Good luck. You certainly have done a tremendous service with all your hard work.