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."

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The MSM is unreformable. Therefor, it must die or shrink drastically.
This is what's happening now, no ?

[CottShop]

Didn't know where else to post this- Found a site that goes over candidates voting records- don't know if it is a biased site or not, might prove valuable for finding out where candidates stand on issues: http://www.intelligentvote.com/default.aspx

Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...

[Welike ike]

They can start by firing Brian Ross. ABC is very much worried that their horrible bias in the Foley Scandal could lead to declining ratings not only in their news division ala CBS, but in their prime time schedule.

Halperin is only worried about ratings and protecting DISNEY's butt.

[defenderSD]

"Objectivity in the political sphere is impossible."

I agree that objectivity in editorial opinion is impossible in the political sphere. But the news media can be reasonably objective in reporting news stories with political content, and today the mainstream news media makes very little effort to be objective in its reporting of news. The main source of bias is not outright fabrications, but heavy selection bias: the msm intentionally and consistently selects material for publication that is anti-Republican and pro-Democrat. The msm makes very little effort to produce complete, balanced coverage of the news. They also add bias to their news coverage through their choice of words and their consistent effort to misrepresent the attitudes and intentions of conservatives and liberals.

[defenderSD]

Free people in free markets are causing the msm to shrink drastically. In another ten years the elite liberal newspapers will essentially be out of print and will be downsized into large websites similar to FR (but with fewer viewers...hah hah.) The TV news market is fragmenting rapidly into a large number of cable channels and web channels that will appear in the future. All of these new channels will cover the full political spectrum, probably with very good balance and much more complete, well-researched coverage.

[Welike ike]

Yes Eric because of the Web. A way to really to nail ABC news were if their were a Conservative boycott of DISNEY products.

If that were to happen, Ross , Halperin and Andrew Cuomo would be on the street alog with little George

[Mo1]

"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."

2 weeks??

The media is not up for election

As for the Media and trust???

They blew that trust YEARS ago

And with articles leaking our National Security Secrets and Videos of the terrorists killing our soldiers ..

All I have to say is ... There is a special place in hell for the DBM

[KMAJ2]

Doug,

Great job, but remember the Reagan maxim, 'Trust but verify.' With the Halperin family legacy, father Morton's close ties with George Soros and brother David being a speech writer for Bill Clinton, it would be wise be leery.

From a business standpoint, ABC moving to the center would be a smart move, and would probably hurt FNC. Right now, all the MSN TV news media are ceding the conservative viewpoint to FNC, with no competition. BUT, a big but, will the inherent liberal bias at ABC actually be able to put their slanted coverage and agenda aside ? I am skeptical, based on their past, that they will be able to.

[Welike ike]

Fox News center Right??? They have veered to the left since 2004 and were pathetic during the Foley Scandal. Conservatives think FOX is trash and only listen to Talk Radio.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

I'm a Republican, but I could cover the Democratic NEWS with no bias whatsoever. It's called "reporting". It is what it is. Unfortunately, what IT IS doesn't bring in ratings. I would suspect that the majority of the "liberal bias" is an attempt to get ratings. It's a win/win situation. The Democrats listen because it makes them feel good, the Republicans listen to hear what the dirty, no good media is bashing them about this time. Money talks, baby.

[liberallarry]

It is shinking because technology has given a voice to many other points of view. However, basic reporting remains expensive and, until that changes, it will be the exclusive province of large organizations.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I agree. The source for most stuff on the net is MSM in one way or another.

[liberallarry]

The main source of bias is not outright fabrications, but heavy selection bias

Agreed...and that won't change. It's an essential part of partisanship and outlook (It's also an essential part of pork :))

[KMAJ2]

ike,

Compared to the other MSM, they are center right. Because they have no compettition, they can move left to try to take more audience away from the MSN. It's all business, ike, do not think Rupert doesn't have his eye on the bottom line. ABC moving to the center would would force FNC to move back towards the right to secure their audience.

As far as listening to 'only' talk radio for all my news, sorry, I will pass. I will use the internet, where I can actually investigate. That doesn't mean I won't listen to talk radio, but as my sole source of news ? Naw.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I disagree with your assessment.

The Liberal media cuts off approximately 35% of the population which means there is market share being lost due to left wing bias.

If the NY Times reported the truth instead of editorialized for the left, I would probably buy it. Same with network news.

They are going broke because their ideology is more important then ratings. When all the network ratings are already below the Mendoza line, winning sweeps is really more of a "moral victory" then anything else.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping.

Every once in awhile a sober individual shows up in the MSM.

[100-Fold_Return]

"Yes, sometimes YouTube can expose the truth"

Can't let the socialists beat us to the new media, or Christian/Conservatives will be treading water in a choppy pool.

[StAnDeliver]

"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."

Too late. You only squeal because it just now dawns on the MSM that after five years of their holdings tanking, we hold them by the short hairs.

And you, Halperin, have been all too gleeful when the MSM engages fakery like Rather, or desparation like Ross.

Go quietly or go loudly, but the MSM will go by the wayside before the decade is out.

[JennysCool]

Conservatives think FOX is trash and only listen to Talk Radio.

Oh ... Really?

[Welike ike]

Jenny, meant to say the Conservatives I know. Their handling of the Foley scandal and their call for Haesert to resign was horrible.