Bias - NPR's ombudsman on

Bias - NPR's ombudsman on the perceived anti-war bias in NPR's coverage.

The article compares - accurately - the relative tentativeness of the pro-liberation voices heard on NPR with the relative stridency of the anti-war views

Even the tone of pro-war voices on NPR seems to be filled with self-doubt and subtle if anxious reasoning.

Recently, All Things Considered aired an essay by commentator Kelli Kirwan. The program described her as "the wife of a Marine and the mother of five children." Ms. Kirwan spoke of her doubts about the war, her anxieties about domestic terrorism and her concerns for her husband's safety...But what seems to be missing from other NPR's commentaries/interviews is the unabashed and unconditional support (and there is lot of it) for the administration.

And it adds this rather frank call to action on NPR's part

Whenever that opinion is heard on NPR as it did when NPR interviewed Secretary of State Colin Powell, NPR receives e-mails by the score, all asking: "NPR! How could you?"

Part of the problem for NPR and for many listeners who look to us to reinforce their opinions is the range of "acceptable" opinion. Radio is a unique and intensely personal medium. People listen, in my opinion, in order to recognize an aural landscape that they know and feel is theirs. When they hear ideas or voices with which they disagree, they can feel a sense of betrayal.

That puts NPR in an awkward position. As an audio companion, NPR needs to remain recognizable to its listeners; but as a news service, it needs to present a range of opinions that reflects reality -- no matter how uncomfortable that reality may be.

The gullible midwesterner who grew up liberal thinks "Hey - all right! They're figuring it out!" The cynical city guy I've become wonders if their last pledge drive didn't include a few pointed reminders in the pocketbook.

(Via Andrew Sullivan)

Posted by Mitch at March 17, 2003 01:50 PM