More on media bias
Posted By John McHale
The past week whenever I watched CNN or Fox News election coverage all I heard was accusations flying that the media was biased toward Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, the Republican nominee for Vice President.
The republicans typically claim media bias during an election season mostly because it has benefited them at the polls. However, this time it was pretty blatant with even the mainstream press making an issue out of Palin’s pregnant teenage daughter, Bristol.
I thought it was revolting. It looked like desperation, when there was no need to be desperate.
Some of the claims made -- such as her cutting funding for special needs -- have been refuted. Factcheck.org has a breakdown of the some of the false claims made against Palin, under the heading "Sliming Palin."
Just because some of these accusations have been proven false does not mean more won't pop up. However, I don't think all of them will be due to media bias.
As a colleague and I were saying this morning any journalist with a chance to interview her should be zealous in his attempts to debunk her credibility in foreign policy, energy policy, past decisions made as Governor of Alaska, etc.
If they do it respectfully with facts to back them up and leave her children alone it won't matter how many republicans shout liberal bias.
I personally hope Gov. Palin comes through looking even better than she does now, but I don't want to see her get a free pass either.
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
