Whenever you convene a liberal journalist or a panel of liberal journalists to address “the media’s role in the 2024 election,” it will reflect the questions that arise within their bubble, so it will mostly be about Donald Trump. How does he manage to get away with so much? How does he gain an advantage based on 91 indictments? Can we broadcast his speeches live? Do we quote his posts on social media?
People on the left don’t believe in fairness, balance, or giving both sides a chance to speak. They believe they are a democracy and Republicans are the end of democracy. They will save the planet from climate catastrophe, and Republicans deny climate change. They are the ones who believe in diversity and inclusion, but no Republicans will join them unless they ensure that Liz Cheney echoes your prejudices.
NPR media reporter David Folkenflik moderated a panel on something called the “News Literacy Project,” which clearly signaled their affiliation with the liberal media as their guests on the Election 2024 panel included network representatives: ABC’s Mary Bruce, CBS’ Major Garrett , NBC’s Kristen Welker and PBS’s Geoff Bennett.
Folkenflik shared an oft-shared leftist theory from New York University professor Jay Rosen: focus on “stakes, not opportunities.” Don’t cover horse races or engage in polls; warn people that Trump’s re-election will be an epic disaster. This is an argument we have been witnessing for eight years now. “Fair and balanced” is like favoring the “dead and buried.” A journalist cannot “normalize” Trump, cannot allow him to speak live on camera. It’s like allowing a deadly virus to infect democracy.
This includes Trump-friendly Republicans. Folkenflik asked Welker about leftists who were enraged that she didn’t hit back at Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) when she referred to the prisoners on Jan. 6 as “hostages.” Welker said that in hindsight she probably would have acted differently, but she likes to let guests “finish their thoughts.” That’s not what she practiced during her interview with Trump.
Folkenflik then “balanced” the situation by asking Garrett about George Stephanopoulos and asking Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) whether the president can defy Supreme Court rulings. Folkenflik mischaracterized Vance’s response, and Stephanopoulos interrupted Vance, saying, “You’ve made it clear that you believe the president can defy the Supreme Court.”
Garrett sided with the Democrats: “I will not attack George Stephanopoulos here or anywhere else. “George has gained a reputation as one of the best communicators on live television… period.” Conservatives never have a reason to be mistreated.
Folkenflik briefly touched on the issue of Trump-supporting voters and whether the “mainstream” media can educate them, but Garrett later put it bluntly: “We cannot serve those who have chosen to opt out. And if you watch Newsmax, you’ve given up You said… “mainstream media, you’re not meeting my needs.”
An NPR reporter denied that they might be able to get contrasting information from social media. Garrett dismissed this: “If you’re a dedicated Newsmax follower, you’re not going to be someone who’s even going to be inclined to — even if something comes up the side door of your feed via Instagram or Facebook or X or TikTok and it says ‘CBS,’ you’ve already decided, ‘you probably NO”.
His lack of introspection is fascinating, saying, “If something comes to me from Newsmax, I’ve already decided, ‘probably not.'”
Liberals believe that conservatives are those who cannot process an opposing opinion and consider whether it is justified. We are automatically illegal and arguing in bad faith. Liberals hold unanimous panel discussions in front of a unanimous audience that believes that conservatives would “benefit” from a more liberal bias. The liberal bubble is real and thick.
Tim Graham is the director of media analysis at the Media Research Center and editor-in-chief of the NewsBusters.org blog. To learn more about Tim Graham and to read articles by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
