Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Michael Czeiszperger <michael AT czeiszperger.org>]

On Oct 7, 2004, at 1:42 PM, Tony Spencer wrote:

> When did working for a campaign become grounds for firing?
>
> Paul Begala currently works for the Kerry campaign AND is employeed by 
> CNN.
> James Carville currently works for the Kerry campaign AND is employeed 
> by
> CNN.

That's a great point!   News used to be done by reporters who 
"reported" on the news, making every attempt to get the facts right, 
and for whom impartiality was crucial.  Fox News has pioneered the 
switch from news, which the common wisdom was that people would like it 
to be factual, as opposed to commentary, which is someone's opinion, 
and thus doesn't have any factual requirement.  The increasing ratings 
for Fox News has prompted the other networks to try and follow suit.  
CNN has been especially hit in the ratings because almost all of their 
conservative viewers have switched to Fox news,

People you sight are clearly labeled commentators who are expected to 
be biased because they're there as representatives of a point of view.

Its great that the conservative movement gets to have it both ways, 
both by complaining about media bias from news outlets that make every 
attempt at impartiality, while simultaneous spearheading the switch to 
an all commentary network which makes no pretense of even basic fact 
checking.

___________________________________________________________________
michael at czeiszperger dot org
Chapel Hill, NC