The issue of bias in the media has become extremely controversial in recent years. People depend on the media not only to stay informed of current events, but to form their beliefs and perceptions about politics as well. Media bias goes far beyond journalists expressing their political views and results in the overemphasis of some stories while ignoring others altogether. Therefore, media bias is not an issue that affects only politicians and political activists but everyone who watches, listens to, or reads the news at some point in their day.

On Monday night Kenan Auditorium was packed as UNCW Presents Leadership Lecture Series sponsored “A Look from the Left and the Right”, a debate on media bias. Jonah Goldberg, who has been referred to as the P.J. O’Rourke of Generation X, and is currently a columnist and editor for National Review Online, presented the argument for the “right.” Peter Beinart, a Yale alumnus, a Rhodes Scholar and current editor of The New Republic argued for the ideological “left.”

Moderator Dr. David Weber of Communications Studies opened the discussion positing the question “What if everything you know is wrong?” Since people acquire most of their ideas and perceptions about politics and morality from the media, what could be the possible ramifications of a biased press?

It is impossible to control the media from injecting bias into its reporting, but it is possible to check one’s own bias. Realize “what is true, important, and real to you, then challenge yourself to recognize that no one has a monopoly on the truth,” said Beinart.

For the public, “the only way to filter bias is to read as much as possible,” said Goldberg.

Beinhart identified the two stereotypes that he believed were the source of much of the bias in the press. The idea that “Republicans are mean but tough while Democrats are nice but soft… and that Republicans are dumb but honest whereas Democrats are smart but dishonest,” have constantly been reiterated by both sides of the press, said Beinhart.

Goldberg was of the opinion that these stereotypes, more often than not, tended to favor the liberal point of view, especially in areas regarding the environment, abortion, gay rights and affirmative action. Most recently, an obvious example of the “liberal media bias” was the amount of attention that was given to Bush’s military record as opposed to that of Kerry’s.

Beinhart agreed that liberals did have the advantage in most areas of politics. However, currently two pressing political issues, national security and the economy, clearly placed the conservative agenda in a more favorable light.

Dr. Weber then asked the two panelists if there was such a thing as objective media, and how much bias is acceptable? The two panelists agreed that essentially there is no such thing as objective reporting. Nonetheless, the ideal of objectivity should not be ignored because it reminds journalists to be aware of their own biases. Additionally, as long as a journalist is upfront about their beliefs and opinions there is nothing inherently wrong with some bias in the media.

The final segment of the Leadership Lecture Series, “There is no such thing as free speech, and it’s a good thing too,” will be on March 14.