Jeff Greenfield trots out the establishment media party line -- that the conservatism of the new media is somehow different (and by implication, more objectionable) than the relentless liberal bias that he and his colleagues have raised to an art form over the last few decades.
And of course, their reaction is familiar. Anything that threatens the leftist agenda becomes Topic A on all the news shows, is swiftly and comprehensively denounced, and the threat generally recedes.
But this time, the problem they face is a new one -- the destruction of their own credibility. Increasing numbers of people now see the "news" they once took for granted as an ideologically-driven cocktail of double standards, cheap shots and careful omissions. But the missing information and other perspectives are now available elsewhere, on the hated conservative radio shows, newscasts, and online forums that flourish outside their control.
What to do? Merely badmouthing the conservative outlets won't work -- their customers don't trust the establishment media's opinions anyway -- and neither will lying about their own bias. It's far too blatant to hide or explain away.
They can't win on a level playing field. In fact, they're getting creamed in an arena they still largely control. So what's left?
Well, like good leftists everywhere, they'll try to silence the opposition.
The approach is obvious, and already under way. Define all conservative opinion as hate speech: extremist by definition, far beyond the realm of socially permissible discussion. Check out any college campus for a preview. But that probably isn't going to work -- even considering the courts, the leftists simply doesn't have the necessary level of political control. They don't seem optimistic themselves; hence the big push to counter the conservative uprising with a "liberal Fox News" or a "liberal Rush Limbaugh."
This cheerful fantasy overlooks the fact that leftist domination of the information channels created the pent-up demand behind the explosive growth of the conservative media. No similar suppression of leftist opinion exists, even, interestingly enough, at Fox News itself.
So, good news, all in all. The leftist media is having increasing difficulty selling its agenda, is shrinking in size, and appears not to have much in the way of options.
Well, there might be one. The first establishment news outlet to go public with an admission of chronic liberal bias, a promise to make amends, and a serious lineup revision would probably see their ratings stop bleeding overnight.
"It has come to our attention that Americans overwhelmingly support policies such as reducing the size of government, cutting taxes, ending affirmative action and making partial-birth abortion illegal. We've also noticed that our past news broadcasts have unfailingly opposed such actions. This will change, starting Monday morning."
Personally, I wouldn't stand on one foot waiting.
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The huge, gaunt creature faced grimly into the cold wind, waiting for a useful idea to form in its tiny brain. Occasionally it reached down to snap at one of the new animals that stole the food from its very jaws, but they were far too quick. The decrepit behemoth bellowed its rage into the stinging sky, once, again, and then fell silent, considering the warm, gentle bubbles that rose from a nearby pool of darkness.
The tar pits were sticky, and inviting.