Hannah's Blog

Media vs. Dean

My comments to blogforamerica.com this morning:
Haven't read all of the previous thread, but let me just observe that a certain amount of journalistic bias is a consequence of "standard operating procedures."
First off there's the fact that the headlines or titles of stories which signal their topic to the reader are NOT created by the reporter or writer of the story. They're generated by a headline writer whose reputation depends on how many people read the story but can't be held accountable for whether or not the title fits because nobody in the public even knows who he or she is.
Second, there's the fact that stories have a three part structure. Past, present and future. That's why there is always a recitation of what was said or happened before the present "news" and why, usually at the end of each story there's a prediction of what will happen next. Since predicting is easy (no facts to check and no accuracy possible) that part of the story tends to predominate.
What to do about this? Change the way journalism is taught and practiced. That, obviously, has a slim chance of happening--in part because the practitioners are comfortable with their "craft."
In a later post I'll try to demonstrate these points with an analysis of Peter S. Cannelos piece in this morning's Boston Globe.
Posted by Monica Smith at January 13, 2004 05:42 AM

Ok, regarding Canellos' piece:

The title is "Outrage sets Dean apart from the pack"

This is historically consistent. However, for this piece, a more accurate head would be "MORAL Outrage. . ." Perhaps the font would have had to be a bit smaller, but otherwise the size of the headline is not a valid consideration.
Indeed, if you are not put off by yet another reference to Dean's anger or temper or whatever, and actually force yourself to read the piece, you'll find that it is a very fair assessment. Goerge Lakoff's assessment that Dean's message is "'I'm listening to you. I care about you. And I'm going to do something about it,'" could hardly be more succinct or better. (Note how it conveniently provides the reporter with a prediction for the future).
I do however disagree with the tag line. Dean is not a "Daddy (who) still wants to take care of you." Howard Dean is a physician who knows that one sometimes has to hurt in order to heal. That's what he means when he talks about "removing the buck-shot from his butt."

By the way, there's a new line making the rounds about Dean being "lucky" to account for his surge in the polls, which seems to assume that being President of the United States is a good thing. It will surely be good for the country to have Dean as President. Speaking personally, I wouldn't want that job for anything.
Posted by Monica Smith at January 13, 2004 06:15 AM

Posted by Hannah at January 13, 2004 06:33 AM