What Media Bias?
Huckabee's tax plan raises eyebrows among voters, economists
This is a headline I read on yahoo!'s front page. Better yet, here's the lead:
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's plan to eliminate all income taxes and replace them with a flat consumption tax has the support of martial arts guru Chuck Norris but few economic analysts.
----
Now, admittedly, I did not become a journalist, but I do hold a degree from one of the country's top J-schools. I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, that had I turned in an article that began that way, the word "EDITORIALIZING" would have been written in red ink all over that sentence.
And the "few economic analysts" he mentions? He quoted one analyst and mentioned that the "Bush administration" had some concerns. Apparently in journalist logic, that means that the rest of "the analysts" are opposed, as well. Other than Chuck Norris (who isn't even quoted) and Huckabee himself, no one in the article is quoted offering any support for the plan. Again, my professors would have marked me off for not enough sourcing. "ALWAYS FIND BOTH SIDES TO THE STORY," otherwise you don't have a story.
Would it be so hard to reword, without the leading language?
Huckabee Plan Replaces Income Tax with Consumption Tax
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is proposing a plan to eliminate all income taxes and replace them with a flat consumption tax.
----
I find this insulting, and I don't know why we stand for it.
This is a headline I read on yahoo!'s front page. Better yet, here's the lead:
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's plan to eliminate all income taxes and replace them with a flat consumption tax has the support of martial arts guru Chuck Norris but few economic analysts.
----
Now, admittedly, I did not become a journalist, but I do hold a degree from one of the country's top J-schools. I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, that had I turned in an article that began that way, the word "EDITORIALIZING" would have been written in red ink all over that sentence.
And the "few economic analysts" he mentions? He quoted one analyst and mentioned that the "Bush administration" had some concerns. Apparently in journalist logic, that means that the rest of "the analysts" are opposed, as well. Other than Chuck Norris (who isn't even quoted) and Huckabee himself, no one in the article is quoted offering any support for the plan. Again, my professors would have marked me off for not enough sourcing. "ALWAYS FIND BOTH SIDES TO THE STORY," otherwise you don't have a story.
Would it be so hard to reword, without the leading language?
Huckabee Plan Replaces Income Tax with Consumption Tax
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is proposing a plan to eliminate all income taxes and replace them with a flat consumption tax.
----
I find this insulting, and I don't know why we stand for it.
Comments
Thanks for clarifying about the media, though... it's not just some conspiracy against the right (have you watched Fox news lately?). I saw World magazine on my parent's table when I was home and was furious to read the headline "The GOP Lineup: What Evangelicals to Choose From" (I paraphrase, as I can't find the cover online.) Since when is it a given that faithful Christians are therefore Republicans?