A few days ago, I got into a discussion with someone who claimed that the media is being too soft on President Obama when it comes to the rise in gas prices. He said that former President George W. Bush was treated much harshly by the media when gas prices soared a few years ago, with some even blaming him for the crisis. But when it comes to President Obama, they treat him with kid gloves. He also said that there had been no news stories about rising gas prices, or any stories blaming President Obama for the increase on any of the three major neworks, ABC NBC and CBS. When I explained to him that I had personally watched news stories dealing with this topic on a daily basis, and even a few discussing whether Obama is at fault, he dismissed it as the media trying to protect President Obama, and just another example of how the liberal media works.
Here's the deal: While I would agree that the mainstream press has approached this latest gas crisis a bit differently than they did a few years ago, it has nothing to do with protecting anyone. It has to do with perception. Former Pres. George W. Bush and former VP Dick Cheney were perceived as "oil men" who were in the pockets of oil companies. Fair or not, that was the perception. As for me, I don't care who the President is, I want him to do something about these gas prices.
As for the so-called "liberal media," they care about three things: ratings, revenue and getting the story first. Nothing else. Whatever topic or issue that generate ratings and money, that's what they'll run with. Has nothing to do with being "liberal." If the mainstream media could make money and generate huge ratings painting President Obama as the devil, that's what they'll do. They don't care. Example, the tornados that ripped through the south this past week. Hundreds dead, hundreds missing, homes and communities destroyed. But what dominated the news this past week? The royal wedding. And that will dominate the news cycle until the next thing comes along, like Lindsay Lohan back in rehab or something.
But seriously, if you're still looking to get your news from the mainstream media, or expect them to be fair or balanced, you're waisting your time for the most part. They are what they are, and they're not going to change. Besides, there's so many other ways to access news and information today that worrying about whether the media is "liberal" or not is a complete waste of time. And that's real.
