American Republic Online

MSNBC has a list of reporters who gave to political campaigns. Of the 144 listed, 18 gave to Republicans/conservative causes. 126 gave to Democrats/liberal causes (2 gave to both). The so-called “mainstream media” has a liberal bias. Really? Maybe they should all disclose their biases when reporting on issues. The BBC has done it. Instead of pretending they are “objective” just tell the truth. I think this would give them more credibility, and would most likely drive them to make sure that everything is presented “fairly,” since they will obviously be under a lot more scrutiny.

The same problem exists in science. Scientists present their findings (and we accept them) as unbiased, objective. But the problem remains that they are people. And everyone has a unique perspective, and brings a measure of bias to everything (no matter how small). We are certainly not allowed to get away with saying we are objective. Try going up to a stranger on the street and telling them that you can be perfectly objective. What if someone told you that? Would you believe them? Why do certain professions get a free pass?

It would not take much: simply putting a paragraph or so on the web.  It would be unreasonable and unfortunate to have to do some sort of disclaimer during broadcasts or printed stories.  But making the information available to those who would find it useful would go a long way.  As pointed out above, disclosure would lead to more credibility.  And, it would provoke more scrutiny, and thus more thoroughness by those that we place so much trust in.  This would, in turn, lead to, hopefully, more understanding all around.