Conservative columnists dominate America’s newspapers
September 15th, 2007 by Erich ViethAccording to this article in Media Matters, Editor and Publisher have painstakingly gathered data to determine what types of columnists are being published in what markets. The results demonstrate a strong conservative bias in most newspapers. Here are some of the results from the Executive Summary of the study:
- Sixty percent of the nation’s daily newspapers print more conservative syndicated columnists every week than progressive syndicated columnists. Only 20 percent run more progressives than conservatives, while the remaining 20 percent are evenly balanced.
- In a given week, nationally syndicated progressive columnists are published in newspapers with a combined total circulation of 125 million. Conservative columnists, on the other hand, are published in newspapers with a combined total circulation of more than 152 million.2
- The top 10 columnists as ranked by the number of papers in which they are carried include five conservatives, two centrists, and only three progressives.
- The top 10 columnists as ranked by the total circulation of the papers in which they are published also include five conservatives, two centrists, and only three progressives.
- In 38 states, the conservative voice is greater than the progressive voice — in other words, conservative columns reach more readers in total than progressive columns. In only 12 states is the progressive voice greater than the conservative voice.
September 16th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
There’s not a chance we’ll ever hear the end of the bloviating right going on and on about a liberal bias in the media.
September 18th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I think what is lost in this study as well is the range of two views in which it contrasts. While some things are right and some things are progressive there is typically a boundary pushed further by the right wing.
To give an example you may hear right wing sentiment saying, or suggesting to invade Iran. That is very extreme, to be invading foreign nations and breaking international law. But on the other side you almost never hear a voice in corporate media advocating Bush be tried in the Hague, which is something that falls under international law.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:22 am
this is true. the problem is, most americans are too right wing. you hear americans saying things like american media has a liberal bias, but its anything but that. you open the la times and its the biggest right wing propaganda. to prove my point, when was the last time you opened up the ny times and saw the destruction and damage caused by u.s. troops.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:23 am
all i see is u.s. troops handing out candy bars. how realistic is that?