| My view, as someone not living inside the US, of the mainstream US media (CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC etc) has been steadily decreasing over the past few years (starting from an admitedly low point). I consider a strong (and free) media to be one of the most critical elements of a just society.
My main criticism at present is that there is a lack of criticism and critical analysis of the administration, particularly on issues of 'national security'. Compare this to the UK, where the biggest media institution is currently attacking the Government over the case for war with Iraq. The reporting in the US of some fairly substantial problems with the claims made (eg the exagerated and false claims regarding weapons of mass destruction in the President's State of the Union address that Iraq had tried to purchase weapon's grade nuclear material from Africa).
A critical press should be hounding the government on issues like this. I'm not suggesting Bush actually lied on these points, but it was his Government that delivered false information, and he should be forced to account for that.
So, I have several questions:
1. For non-US people: what is your opinion of the quality of the major US media organisations?
2. For US people: do you feel that your media is doing the job it should in terms of holding the Government accountable to the public?
3. For everyone:
a) What biases do you see in the US media?
b) How do these biases compare to other media sources around the world? |