This post is at MOUSE's request and I would like to hear responses to this as well.

How "fair and balanced" do you think the other (non-Fox) cable news networks are?

Do they attempt to blur the line in defining what is news and what is news commentary? Or do they clearly discern their intentions?

What about individual newscasters and pundits? How fair and balanced do they present themselves?

I usually watch PBS and certain shows on CNN. I think PBS is fair and balanced. I don't watch as many news stations as I used to, I listen to the radio more now. Course I read the papers.

MT

I can only find Donahue on MSNBC and Larry King on CNN that are partisan in their hosting as opposed to FNC who has a whole list...
I really don't see a great bias in all the other cable news, though they have less involved hosts which may have something to do with my perception.

CNN is pretty liberal, but I can live with it. The network anchors are all VERY LIBERAL. I think Peter Jennings lets it show more than most. I watch PBS just to get the liberal side. I quit contributing to them and NPR because they are not serving all of the people. It used to be one of my favorite things to which I contributed.

CNN is LIBERAL?
I say! That's swell.

The network anchors are VERY LIBERAL?
Golly, for you that's Hell!

Peter Jennings lets it show more than most?
Hey girl! He's a darn good host!

You watch PBS to get the liberal side
That must be sorta hard on your pride!

You don't contribute to PBS & NPR anymore
I'm sure that will cause them to close their doors

Don't despair, stop the fuss!
You've still got good old Rush

MT

Is this a reply? OH! I'll bet it is supposed to be some attempt at poetry or sarcasm. This from the person that said we shouldn't be sarcastic. Oh well, some people are all talk (and Poetry?)

Oh no! Not a poem, just a little ditty>
To the Mouse from the Kitty

At least we agree not a poem for certain.

I would be interested to know if you watch much cable news during the day. I think perceptions can be quite different if ones does. Just curious.

Just evenings after four, never during the middle of the day except Sundays. I think I watch enough...

Absolutely! we do agree
A poet is not me

I never said I was, you see

MT

Think this is way off topic.

Oh?? Please tell me when your posts are off topic so I will know not to reply to them.

OK

Also, what is it with you that you take everything so personally? I didn't meanYOU. Actually, there are other people on this site. I would like to discuss the topics and not have a constant one-uppance going on.

Simple deduction, I guess, since every other post was about the news media or cable news networks, which is the subject of this thread.

I will however, try to refrain from being sarcastic in the future. I didn't think you would take my post so seriously. Sorry.

MT

FOX news is unbiased? CNN liberal?!

Thats really strange, because to me FOX is totally conservative, and CNN is merely conservative. In the end, CNN is more interested in appeasing its corporate sponsers than giving news. It will not show anything too "radical" or it will give anything extreme very little airtime.

I dont really watch any news channels, so maybe my opinion is moot. I dont believe there is any such thing as "fair and balanced" news reports and the sooner everyone (journalists included) realized that, the faster we will be able to get real news. Each story has certain facts, and as long as those are there, what else need there be? It should be up to the individual to read or watch a variety of sources to get the whole story, and take note about where the bias is. (I'm not sure that really made any sense. Sorry.)

Impossible--Don't think it strange. It is not. We live in a price system. That means competition, advantage, economic gain. Fair and balanced, equal time, good sportsmanship is as much a myth as the so-called fact that this nation is educated. There is a great deal of info out there that describes, as a for instance, that high school and college students out there haven't a clue as to geography, political name identifications, world leaders and the countries they influence and many other subjects that it takes literally years for 30 year olds to aquire. Think of it! After 18 years there are Americans who cannot speak (witness your prez) spell, write or locate important countries on a world map.
Many hundreds of years ago the Romans manipulated their public's opinion with bread and circuses. They did the same in the nations that they conquered and did it well for hundreds of years or for at least much longer than America has been a world power. Their controlled population was ignorant to say the least. Why do you think the American population is so gullible? For the same reasons. An ignorant population is far easier to control than one that is well informed and intelligent. The media is a prime mover of information. But the media is price system motivated and is not interested anything in greater than profit. Truth always takes a back seat to profit.

kimpossible: though I agree with you on Fox, I can't see any bias on CNN. Who are the conservative hosts on that network? (besides Crossfire )

I don't really watch CNN, so I can't name any anchors that would be "conservative." The few times I have watched CNN is it really pro-american, which makes sense, but at the same time isn't very honest. I know that they will not let certain leftist groups (and possibly some right wing groups, since I'm not real hip on the right wing movement, I can't be certain) purchase airtime, because it will offend their corporate sponsers. Letting things like that compromise your journalism, is not unbiased and fair.

So, no liberal bias in cable news?

This is going off from cable news, but I was shocked to hear Bill Moyers recent rant on NPR. He didn't even try to hide his bias. I do watch this or tape it and watch it later. My what an exciting life!

Well, I think Comedy Central is pretty liberal

I think the opposite is true. The only news reporter I have any respect for is Ashley Banfield. (where is she btw?)

I think we need to get away from hiring experts and spokesmen for our news and get back to on-location pieces and facts.

I actually like news analysis, I just make sure to know spin when I hear it . The analysis programs can be valuable sources of info that the normal news reports don't cover in detail. And of course opinionated programs are immensly entertaing. I think you're right about the conservative slant in cable news, though...

Lately I have been sharing time with all of the cable networks by use of the vcr. There is a definite difference. Fox is the most concervative, CNN is not what I would call cons. but it is not as bad as the networks which are so liberal it is funny. The networks are getting more and more into entertainment and magazine type reporting. The local news is for the weather! Public television is super liberal, and their radio is worse.
Does anyone else listen to NPR? All things Considered & Fresh Air? They can be pretty interesting progams.

Did anyone see Rush L. being interviewed on CNN? It was quite good. I posted this question on the wrong thread previously. I would love to know what other people thought/think.