Media Expert Decries Campaign Coverage

DALLAS — The founder of a prestigious institute on media and politics added his voice Saturday to the chorus of complaint over perceived press bias in favor of Democrat Barack Obama.

Walter Shorenstein, a prominent San Francisco-based real estate developer, Democratic fundraiser and longtime supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton, penned a memo to Democratic party "superdelegates" and other activists criticizing media coverage of the presidential campaign.

Shorenstein is the founder of the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University. His memo came days before Tuesday's key primaries in Ohio and Texas, which Clinton must win to save her waning candidacy.

The former first lady and her advisers have lashed out at the press in recent days, suggesting unfair coverage of the campaign has in part led to Obama's victories in the last 11 voting contests. They've encouraged supporters and voters to watch a "Saturday Night Live" skit that aired last weekend, depicting a group of journalists fawning over Obama.

Clinton appeared on this week's "SNL" to praise a similar sketch that parodied the media's treatment of her and her rival.

In his memo, Shorenstein concurred with the Clinton campaign's assessment.

"I am absolutely outraged with the media coverage of the presidential campaign," Shorenstein wrote in the memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press. "This is the most important election in my long lifetime, and to quote one of my favorite movies, 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!'"

He was quoting the 1976 movie "Network," in which a mentally disturbed television news anchor played by Peter Finch went on the air and implored viewers to rebel against gimmicks staged by network news executives.

"There is too much on the line for the media to ignore important issues while they obsess about Hillary's hairdo or Barack's baritone," Shorenstein continued. "Is it in the country's best interest that voters received far more information about Hillary's laugh than Obama's legislative record? Is it good for our nation that more attention is paid to the differences in their speaking style than their health care plans?"

Shorenstein attached several studies to the memo indicating the press had given more favorable coverage to Obama than to Clinton, and urged activists to forward the material to friends and voters and to complain to reporters.

"Our democracy depends upon the fourth estate to fulfill the uniquely critical role of informing voters about the important issues facing our nation," Shorenstein wrote. "Yet far too often, the campaign coverage has been biased, blase, or baseless."

Comments

[nolalily]

Where was this dude when Bush was running? The media did a great job of crucifying the Democrats both times he ran.

[kevenhussienseven]

Is your point that it is a good idea to nominate a guy with some charm and charisma?

It worked for us in '92.....

[jbs1979]

The only person who should be complaining about media coverage is John Edwards, who was nearly ignored in favor of Clinton and Obama, and I'm saying that as an Obama supporter. When Obama won Iowa, he was the story. When Clinton shed a tear and defied the polls in New Hampshire she dominated the headlines. Post Super Tuesday it's been favoring Obama because he's been winning by big margins everywhere he goes. Both candidates get tons of screen time on every network. Go to any article with comments on the internet and you'll see supporters of both screaming about unfair coverage. If there's any measurable bias I feel it's a symptom of the state of the race, not a cause.

[2liveNdie]

How's about coming from someone who IS NOT a LONG TIME Clinton supporter?!

[dijo]

The second paragraph.­..a long time Hillary Clinton supporter.­..
That's when I stopped giving any credence to the article. When the media reports that the media is biased, I just don't buy it.

[nolalily]

I'm sure you don't remember this guy crying foul about the favorable media slant toward Bush during his last two elections either. I mean. I paid close attention to those two elections and I've never heard of this guy before.

[flyguy14222]

There.....­read the article and put that in your crack pipes and smoke it Obamaheads!!

[indie17]

Wow, so now you are calling me a crack smoker, and an 'Obamahead'? Way to support your candidate -- I'm sure it's doing her a lot of good.

[intellifem]

Finally someone has outed BO's underhanded same old same old politics parading as "change and yes we can!" Please wake up and smell the coffee instead of drinking Obama's Koolaid:

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=aa0cd21b-0ff2-4329-88a1-69c6c268b304&k=5083

[indie17]

Not too intelligent to keep talking about Koolaid.

[Jeffersonian1]

Walter Shorenstein is a media expert?

You know I gave some money last Christmas to buy some gifts for the children of a family who'd had a rough time. I suppose that makes me Santa Claus.

[eliandbo]

I just saw on CNN that Hillary is in the lead in Ohio, can those people be that stupid?
It was the Clinton Administration that sent all those jobs to China and Mexico, with those trade deals.
Are they that young or maybe they are like the people who don't care about floods till the water gets in their door.
Bill said he was against NAFTA till he got elected, he is a lier, and he said with one, you get two, so they must have both been in on the decision to pass those treaties.
WAKE UP OHIO!

[AnninCA]

Maybe they heard he's been blowing smoke up their wazoos about NAFTA. :)

[indie17]

Yes, and as a Saint Nicholas expert, I caxn verify that you are absolutely correct!

[kempis]

Well, thank you, sir, but why now? Why not speak out two weeks ago when it may have done some good?

In the future, please be "mad as hell" in a more timely manner.

[Seattlelite]

I'm so tried of this rubbishm Obama got a free press ride. Fact is they are reporting what there is to report, he has run a positive campaign Hillary has not. She's the one always playing offense. He winning, she's behind, she had to loan money to her campaign, he breaking records, she losing her leads, he's gaining. All positive so what would you expect the media to be reporting lies? Not like they didn't do their best to try and turn the Resko thing into a big deal. And don't tell me Mrs. Obama isn't getting racked over the coals lately. Hillary is playing this victim card to get votes and it appears to be working. Hillary made a post on Huff the other day, every other post was a comment about how bad they felt for her. Hillary is a wealthy women powerful women with a great job, that will not change regardless to the outcome of this race her supporters are wasting their tears.

[sanglug]

Unfortunately, the press responds to proof of their bias by introducing counter-bias, not by becoming better journalists. Our outrage should be towards the lack of competence, not some notion of objectivity as measured by public opinion.

[vsign]

I want a new Voting Rights Act, based on what has happened this year. My vote did not count for much because I live in a caucus state. Obama had lots of money, poured it into these caucus states and everyone folded to the money. I went to my site and all the signs, literature and nametags were Obama marketed. NO signs, etc for Hillary. No presence of Hillary contending for our votes. So a primary season should be a real primary and exclude caucuses.

And money should be taken out of it.

The media has definately helped decide this primary election, along with the money. I got my information from the MSM and it was clear as our water is in this small mountain town.

Obama's candidancy should be seen for what it has been - a bought election and a scam on the VOTERS.

I want someone to recognize that my vote should have counted more.

[indie17]

It should be one person, one vote, in all elections, period, IMHO.

By the way, Obama is ahead in popular vote, and in primary-only (no caucuses) vote.

Hillary, by far, had the most money in the early part of the primary elections. She also had, by far, the most press.

She's losing because less people want her to be POTUS.

[sanglug]

Not sure what this has to do with alleged media bias, but, a few thoughts…

This is not a general election; this is the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination process. Your voting rights are what the Democrats say they are during the nomination, but you are free to vote for anyone in the general election.

In the absence of a grassroots movement, a caucus favors the establishment candidate; this is why Clinton was originally heavily favored to win Iowa and why she supported casino caucus sites in Nevada (until she was against them).

You say they ‘folded to the money’. Are you claiming bribery? Nobody paid me to show up at my caucus. There is no reason to think a primary is not also impacted by money spent or not spent by a candidate. Frankly, it is easier to sway low information voters with money, and caucuses are likely skewed against low information voters (who would want to stand next to his or her neighbor and admit to being clueless?).

You should probably try to change things before you get an outcome you do not like, not after. This comes across as rationalizing, not reasoning. The appearance of ‘sour grapes’ does not make a good case for changing the process. In fact, you might even aim now for abolishing the Electoral College because, depending where you live and whom you vote for, that is the next time you will find your vote ‘not counting’.

[blubufalo]

The problem is the story line. Hillary has given up a huge lead and is continually trying new strategies and messages to stem the bleeding.

Obama has come from nowhere and has become a phenom.

The inference from the Clinton campaign and this article is that the press coverage has caused this change in trajectories. The truth seems to be the press has been telling the story as it unfolds. Which means negative coverage for Hillary and positive coverage for Obama.

At times it seems the most positive story line for Hillary is her hair.

[gregjones]

Here's What HILLARY'S 'Mandated' Health Care Plan
FEELS LIke
From A http://www.Blacks4Barack.org Commenter



As a Massachusetts single parent, 2 job holding resident, I wish reporters and interested parties would ask Mitt Romney, our former Governor, about his mandated health insurance plan for all Massachusetts residents he left us with. Ask democrats, republicans and independent voters what we think about this plan. This is the same plan that Hillary wants to adopt. Please do yourself a favor and ask the Massachusetts residents how it feels to no longer have a choice about putting food on the table, because YOU MUST, pay for a premium you can't afford. Ask MA residents how LONG it takes them to get a visit with their PCP (Primary Care Physicians). Ask the MA seniors about their medicine vs health care premium. I can go on, but please ask the questions. Also note that Mitt Romney never gives credit or much talk to his governorship here in Massachusetts, because he KNOWS that Massachusetts RESIDENTS think he is a scam. Mandated health care IS NOT a good plan...TRU­ST ME, and the rest of the MA residents who can vouch this.
Barack has the better plan.



Submitted by a Blacks4Barack Commenter


Seems like the only one who benefits from Hillary's Plan is her buddies at the INSURANCE COMPANIES !

http://www.Blacks4Barack.orgck.org

[treadway123]

WHAT? You want the press to cover Hillary more? OK, this is breaking news that the press has not throwen out there. Hillary clinton refuse's to return 170,000.00 given her by a consulting firm accused by the Fed's of Sexual harassment, Sexual assualt, and degrading women. And still women support her? I'm a white lady of 54 years of age. Why would I want this lady in the white house to protect my two girls ? Why would you want her to protect your grand children? All she care's about is Hillary. Obama gave back money, when he found it came from inappropriate people or companie's he feels are harmful to the American people. This consulting firm is Directly assualting women like you, I and Mrs. clinton. What other reason would she have to keep this dirty money, except for greed, and thinking of no one but herself? The reason the Media sounds Bias is because there is more dirty news about her than there is clean. Would you rather them throw stuff like this out there, or just try to avoid this kind of dirt and look hard( I said look hard) for cleaner news?L Give me a break! It's her and Bill;s dirt and baggage, what should they do---------ignore it all to make Hillary voters happier? if Obama had more dirt and baggage it would be in the News. This new's company's after all are ran mostly by Republicans-----and I've heard more than once they'd rather run against Hillary than Obama, because new dirt comes up against her, and what Bill say's wrong every day.

[Didi47]

Wow it looks like the whole Obama team rushed to this page to screech that the press has not been biased against Hillary! What a laugh! American Media covering this election is nothing more than a disgrace..­. and in my opinion - should have criminal charges laid against them for deliberately deceiving the public and for deliberately defaming a candidate to sway the voter! They had an ethical journalistic responsibility to report honesty and scrutinize BOTH CANDIDATES WITH EQUAL VIGOR! Not doing so has denied the public their rightful opportunity to make an INFORMED decision. The rest of the world is aghast over what has happened to representatives for the 'voice of the people'. It's way past disgusting. It's criminal. What on earth has happened to all the principals the US stands for? What you have done to Hillary in this campaign makes Russia's Putin look like a choir boy!

Here's a copy of typical posts that have been blocked from the public eye. This lady's concern says it all.

"Name me one article that was against senator Obama. I have yet to read one. All the press is negative about Hillary. And please! she is running for president not her husband. Have you really looked at both their records? I doubt that you did and all you have is negative republican comments with no substence. And don't tell me about the war. Obama was not in the senate and did not have to vote for or against anything. He will in the Ill. senate and did not have all the infromation that they have the others in the senate. He himself has said once that he does not know how he would have voted if he were in the senate at that time. However he has taken down that statement on his web site. Why? This country is in big trouble and you want to put another person in charge who will be learning on the job. We don't need or want that. I feel that if Obama wins we are doomed because the republicans will win. He has not even completed one term in the senate, and the one big job they gave him to chair, better relations with our european allies he never even called a meeting for and I understand that our european allies were upset about this because they felt ignored by our position of not attempting to bridge a better position between our countries, especially since the Iraq war put us on opposite sides of the issue. Great Job!!!!!!! He did nothing! He needs experience nothing beats experience, definately not just talk. We will all find that out all too soon. This is what happened when Bush got a free pass from our press and it is happening again. We are in big trouble. The press liked Bush better than Gore and Kerry and look what mess we are in. This is a mess!!!! "

[NYS4OBAMA]

Unfortunately, there isn't much to say about Hillary that is her own, other than the campaign she is running. Which will be considered one of the worst in recent memory. Discounting voters, in states that voted against her as not important. But then proclaiming to the Public leading up to Super Tuesday, that American Samoa was an important contest.

I feel that the Media has generally been fair to Clinton. If Obama was in the same position (losing 11 straight contests with an elected delegate deficit of over 150) as Clinton, he would have been pressured to drop out of the race by the media and party insiders by now, but Clinton still stands and people are outraged if the press suggest that the race should be over. Additionally, the Press has not pushed her on her tax returns, her records during the Clinton administration, the donors to Clinton's Presidential Library, the lack of economic progress in Upstate New York, or the pardons of key supporters at the end of her husband's administration or the various scandals that she had a hand in during her time as First Lady. While they may be mentioned from time to time, there hasn't been an agressive investigation of these issues during this campaign.

But more to the point of experience, Can anyone identify an accomplishment that she has earned on her own? Very often she tells us about the 90s, she wasn't elected and she tends to cherry pick from those years. Can she explain what she has been her key legislative accomplishments during her 6 years in the Senate other than voting for the War in Iraq, No Child Left Behind, please fill in the blank for any other legislation that she gave into during Bush's Administration? When has she stood up for Democratic Ideals? I feel that her accomplishment list a very light for someone running on experience, especially since she'll lose that argument with John McCain every-time.

[vsign]

Didi47

What scares me for America is that Obama is really a coward.

It scares me that his followers don't know how to judge his character and don't understand that character is the first thing they should judge.

I'm scared everyone is getting so brainwashed and the media doesn't tell the public what is happening. This is a false prophet. Be careful!

[Seattlelite]

i 'm an Obama supporter and I remembers very clearly that prior to Iowa every political show you watched was ONLY talking about Hillary, she was all but declared the nominee. I had to search google for information regarding Obama, he was not news worthy until Iowa. Now she's behind and it's the media's fault for reporting the "news" which is Obama has out campaigned her and he is winning. She chosen to go the negative route he did not. She has herself and her husband to blame for the negative coverage and she can blame herself and her campaign folks for losing. And the more she complains the worst she makes it on herself. People don't expect a President to be a complaining whining cry baby.

[slow2]

Seattlelite,

Right you are: Hillary's face and voice (and she sure didn't lose it) were everywhere. Biden, Richardson, et al couldn't get a photo op with a train wreck. All those first debates, when Billary was front and center and when the moderators totally ignored all the other candidates just really put her up on a pedestal.

Now that she's lost 11 in a row, she can't handle the free-fall, and the blame game is now her main issue. In fact the blame game is Hillary's ONLY issue.

Can you imagine her in the Oval Office pouting if say Queen Elizabeth got more press coverage? Good grief. Spare us that shame.

[Didi47]

Wow it looks like the whole Obama team rushed to this page to screech that the press has not been biased against Hillary! What a laugh! American Media covering this election is nothing more than a disgrace..­. and in my opinion - should have criminal charges laid against them for deliberately deceiving the public and for deliberately defaming a candidate to sway the voter! They had an ethical journalistic responsibility to report honesty and scrutinize BOTH CANDIDATES WITH EQUAL VIGOR! Not doing so has denied the public their rightful opportunity to make an INFORMED decision. The rest of the world is aghast over what has happened to representatives for the 'voice of the people'. It's way past disgusting. It's criminal. What on earth has happened to all the principals the US stands for? What you have done to Hillary in this campaign makes Russia's Putin look like a choir boy!

[Seattlelite]

Like I said the media can only report what there is to report -- which is Hillary loses 11 races in a row, Obama is cutting into her base, he is out raising her in donations, he draws huge crowds to his events, he was way behind in states that favored her and now is gaining. Other news stories --- Hillary has lost 11 races in a row, Obama is cutting into her base, she is losing her large leads, she loaned her campaign 5 million dollars, oh AND she feels the press is treating her unfairly and they keep asking her the first question. How unfair they reported that my surrogate Mr. Johnson and Bill were in SC reminding people that Obama is an African American, then showed a clip of me mocking Obama in RI, so what, I sent fliers out in NH claiming Obama would not stand up for a women right to chose, and my tearing breakdown, which apparently didn't hurt my results. Then in NV they reported that law suite filed by my supporters which I had nothing to do with even though I later remembered I was for it. And so what if Bill claimed Obama supporters were intimidating voters, but refused when the DNC asked if he wanted them to investigate. And what was wrong we me going to FL giving a victory speech, and putting my name on the ballot in MI, and yes it's only fair these delegates be seated in Denver. I could go on but suspect you've stop reading at this point.

[LarBear]

Seattlelit­e.......
Let me guess what is "Lite" in Seattle...­. Maybe YOU thinking people would swallow your story??? The Report was what the POLLS were showing... NOT what the MSM was covering/ reporting.­.. The MSM and Republicans have been bashing Hillary for years... Hillary herself, never said she was "the Nominee, nor front runner"... I suppose you consider the Obama's playing to Race and the Race Card, Positive??? I consider it Negative and Manipulati­ve... And, the MSM joined in with the spin... We already HAVE a Manipulator in Chief with Bush -Cheney...
Down here in Olympia some of us actually, do THINK for ourself...­.

[indie17]

Why did Hillary cosponor a bill to criminalize flag-burning? Is this her idea of important legislation?

[kellygrrrl]

didn't hear him crying foul when she was The Anointed Inevitable.

he didn't write a letter on behalf of Kucinich and Dodd and Biden when Sen. Clinton was caught on open mic telling John Edwards they needed to find a way to get the other candidates out of the debates.

funny he'd bring it up now