From a fellow Canadian, I apologize.

[NowherMan6]

See up here we are at the advantage of not worrying about if the news about the States is skewed one way or the other. They (CTV and CBC) just present the news without the pro or con rhetoric and we just see the facts and the numbers because they have nothing to loose either way.

So let me get this straight: You think that those two government operated new stations don't have a bias...? Are you mad? That's the great thing about American news, I think. News coverage over here is more balanced overall than anywhere else, where big government controlled news stations control everything. CNN and MSNBC have an overall liberal bias, Fox News leans conservative. All are independently owned and operated. The reason each has a slant is because the owners of each has that political slant. They're controlled by market forces, like ratings etc and NOT by the government, no matter who is in charge. The reason Fox News is so popular is because there is a hunger amongst the populace for news broadcasting that isn't overtly left-leaning, never mind the full blown liberals at the major news stations. It's about choice, not having some state controlled media outlet tell you everything. Case in point - more people watched Fox News to see the State of the Union speech than any other network, including the four major ones. Say what you want about the bias of American news networks, I'd rather they reflect the bias of the American people than the government. And that's my rant.


p.s. Fox News isn't even as bad as many people make it out to be. Did you watch the Democratic response to the SOTU? If you did, you were watching Fox News, because no other network broadcast it. Sounds rather balanced to me...

 

[Harlock]

I erally like PBS news coverage. I know they pander to a more liberal audience in general, but they are very factual and stay fairly moderate about everything. Decent middle-of-the-road coverage all in all, and I am betting that's why two of the debates were hosted by PBS newspersons and not CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS or ABC. FWIW, I find the regular coverage of NBC (not MSNBC) to be fairly decent as well. As for state run news agencies, thank goodness I live in the US.

 

[mishi8]

So let me get this straight: You think that those two government operated new stations don't have a bias...?

CTV is not government operated or funded. I think their coverage is fair and balanced. The only problem I find with CTV National news is their Central Canada focus, but that's nothing new.

 

[slipknottin]

I erally like PBS news coverage. I know they pander to a more liberal audience in general, but they are very factual and stay fairly moderate about everything. Decent middle-of-the-road coverage all in all, and I am betting that's why two of the debates were hosted by PBS newspersons and not CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS or ABC.

Except when they talk about businesses. They are very much anti-corporations, business, or trade. And their arguments against them are downright factless.

 

[Harlock]

Except when they talk about businesses. They are very much anti-corporations, business, or trade. And their arguments against them are downright factless.

I'll give you that, but I'm smart enough to know the difference... that's the thing. there is no news for stupid people. Wait, I should say almost all news is for people the networks hope are stupid enough to buy their agenda. Ah, the cynicism is almost palpable.

 

[ScottoMacD]

So let me get this straight: You think that those two government operated new stations don't have a bias...? Are you mad?QUOTE]

Well actually I have been called worse. But Mad is alright as well.

What my point was. CTV and CBC for the most part are neutral when it comes to the American issues because it has no real effect on the average Canadian. So they tend to just state the facts and move on.

As you and others have pointed out. In the US most stations are either elephant or donkey. So they will tend to lean in that direction when it comes to interpreting the news.

A perfect IE: Fox news raves how Bush's approval was 57% in the last poll. His highest since before the war. Which shows that America approves of the war.

CNN/CBS however point it out in the manner of his approval is still only 57% up from his average of 49% and how he technically can't get it any higher, and he never will because of how American disapprove of the war.

Yada yada.

CTV/CBC just say that he is up to 57% up from 49% then move on.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

ScottoMacD,

PULLEEEEEZE!!!!

Why even bring CNN and CBS into the equasion?? They are almost at the point where the average American considers them a joke. CBS=Dan Rather, CNN is now going to start airing liquor commercials in order to keep afloat It shows you just how popular the liberal media is becoming.

FOX News is alive and well for one reason......... ITS VIEWERS!!!

Say what you want but the more the situation in the middle east improves the better the Bush administration looks. People are getting over minor details like the abscence of WMD in Irag now that everything else is begining to look up Right now they're doing a great job of paving the way for President Rice in '08!! :dance

 

[judgemax]

greta pic of your dog is it an amstaff?

 

[ScottoMacD]

FL Knifemaker:

I wasn't quoting verbatum in my post. I was just using an example of how there are the two extremes in the US media and both extremes tend to twist what is said to their advantage. CBS and CNN were just the first left twist two to come to mind.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

FL Knifemaker:

I wasn't quoting verbatum in my post. I was just using an example of how there are the two extremes in the US media and both extremes tend to twist what is said to their advantage. CBS and CNN were just the first left twist two to come to mind.

Sorry for the confusion.

I have no problem in calling them "Left Twists" I can't tune in to either of the Canadian stations you mentiond but I'll pay more attention to PBS for some added perspective. I'm pretty well set in stone politically but I don't mind saying that I've taken something away from this debate!