Annapolis Capital Punishment

Dear Anonymous (What are you afraid of this time?)
I assuming that you're trying to pigeonhole me again but you must not have read all the posts where I also critique media coverage. While some liberals might quickly dismiss this issue as you contend, I take a more objective approach. As the holder of an MA in journalism who has conducted scholarly research and taught about media bias, I am no stranger to this debate but it is wrong of you to assume somehow that I would quickly or otherwise dismiss what you call "the libera; (sic) bias of the press.
1. I already read this article and another one about it on page 2 no less, of the Washington Post no less.
2. The fact that it has already been picked up in so many media outlets would suggest a few things as well--would it not? Has that occurred to you?
3.And read this from The Sun: "Although the authors said some observers would use the findings to argue that the major media have a pro-Obama bias, they said their data did not provide conclusive answers." I suggest you read that again. No conclusive answers.

It is not so easy to methodologize and operationalize research to code and detect bias in media coverage. Such research has inherent flaws and contradictions. Some organizations and individuals such as Norman Solomon's FAIR, Noam Chomsky (ughh!) and Ben Bagdikian (whom I have met and whose book "The Media Monopoly" I have read) believe the media tend to have a centrist or conservative bias while Allan Lichtenberg, the late Reed Irvine of Accuracy in Media and others believe the opposite.

Take news coverage of the Israeli-Arab controversy, a topic I have studied for decades. My views on this might lead pro-Arab groups might call me a Zionist, colonialist pig but I have even been booed at in synagogue by some very uptight and paranoid co-religionists when I suggested that media say bad things about Israeli policies because they are often true. So, feel comfortable pigeonholing me--or all liberals-- all you wish. But, it does not make your right. I guess it depends on one's own bent. All media are biased in some way and operate within a complex field of social forces that make objectivity nothing more than an elusive goal for which some strive more than others. There are plenty of conservative publications and media outlets to keep conservatives happy.

At least the authors of that report and the authors of news articles about it have bylines. Why do you remain anonymous? And if you so dislike what I write, why do you keep writing to me? Of course, if you wish to exercise some subtle and careful analysis of your own (we're all waiting) go ahead and speak up...but please include your name.

One thing you can always count on is that Capital Punishment is always independent--believe me or not, like what I say or not, you always know where I stand...and unlike you Mr or Ms Anonymous, you know who I am.