| Progressive media watchdog group Media Matters has released yet another groundbreaking study of conservative bias in mainstream media, and this time they are focusing on the editorial page of U.S. newspapers. In compling data on U.S. newspapers, they found out something that many of us on the left already know: The vast majority papers include conservative columnists over progressive ones. Their findings show that 60% of U.S. newspapers favor conservative columnists in number over their progressive counterparts, while only 20% feature progressive columnists (Dionne, Dowd, etc.) moreso than conservative columnists.
After looking over the Media Matters' findings on N.J. newspapers I would say that, while we do have some newspapers (Bergen Record, Burlington County Times) that feature a greater number of progressive columnists over conservative ones, many newspapers, such as the The Courier Post, feature more conservatives than Democrats. After reading yet another editorial by Cal Thomas in today's edition (with no featured liberal columnist), for example, I did some research on the Courier Post on Media Matters' site and found that they have a 6-1 pro-conservative bias in their choice of regular columnists, which includes such "dignitaries" as Michele Malkin and Bill O'Reilly.
Let's help the Courier Post become a more inclusive newspaper and contact their editor, Mike Daniels at mdaniels@courierpostonline.com, to ask them politely to change their editorial policy so that more progressive voices are included. Look up your local paper, and see what their level of bias is, too, and be an activist to change conservative-leaning editorial boards. |
