The Problem of Bias in Political Journalism

Abstract

The single issue that seems most to concern those who are worried about the press is bias in political reporting. At the present time, American conservatives are especially concerned about bias and have formed several “watchdog” groups (for example, Accuracy in Media) to identify and focus attention on what they perceive to be biased reporting. But a concern with bias on the part of the American press has existed on the Left as well. Recall complaints in the 1960s about the “establishment” press by critics of Vietnam war policy.