Why Complain of Media Bias? Do Something!

Watch Fox News, as many conservatives do, and you will hear frequent complaints of liberal bias in the media.  Michelle Malkin will be irate on Fox & Friends, Bill O’Reilly will pontificate on its presence and Sean Hannity will be appalled by its persistence.

But what’s the point, other than agitating the audience?

Since the early 1960’s, when the conservative movement truly came to life, the media (in all forms) has focused negative attention on conservatism and figures on the right side of the political spectrum.  Early targets included Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, for instance, and no prominent conservative (strongly committed or merely leaning right) since then has escaped hostile scrutiny.

The media treatment of John McCain is illustrative on that point.  When, in 2000, he bid for the GOP nomination as a moderate alternative to George W. Bush, coverage of his campaign was almost always laudatory.  However, eight years later, as the Republican nominee running against the more liberal Barack Obama, his press clippings were hardly as glowing. 

Of course there is liberal media bias.  Because (duh?) most journalists are liberals.

Instead of lamenting unfair and malicious press treatment and wallowing in self pity, let’s do something about it!

A suggestion (and example of positive action):  Fox News personalities could feature guests who are promoting educational programs (etc.) aimed at journalism school students to expose them to conservative attitudes and arguments.  This would accomplish two things:  give the audience hope that media political coverage might be less hostile in the future, and generate financial support to broaden the reach of the conservative “media outreach” programs.

Conversion need not be the objective.  Rather, persuading budding journalists of the respectability of a conservative perspective should be enough to at least temper the leftward bias in years to come.

Or, we conservatives can continue to pound our heads against the walls of liberal media bias… and have nothing but splitting headaches to show for our efforts.