Shoddy Reporting on Debt Ceiling Debate

Thanks to Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) for a great piece of watchdog work regarding how the debt ceiling story has been covered. While I know MCH is an media-focused organization, there is little doubt of the significant impact the Budget Control Act of 2011 will have on the economy down the road, not to mention political landscape heading into the 2012 election season. FAIR concisely sums up the deficits in the reporting of this issue over the last month, or so:

There are specific patterns in corporate media coverage of political debates: Progressive ideas are generally marginalized. "Compromise" between the major parties is encouraged. Democrats should "move to the center," which in practical terms actually means moving to the right. All of these tendencies have driven the discussion over the federal debt and the debt ceiling.

It doesn't get any more true than that. Even prior to the debt ceiling debate, the Progressive Budget was largely ignored, both by government leaders and by corporate media, with few exceptions. Instead, the "Ryan Plan" received significant coverage. I'd urge you all to read FAIR's report, but here are the "five areas where media mangled the debt discussion."

~ Why Is the Debt Ceiling Being Raised? ~ 'Balance' Bias ~ Debate Way Off to the Right ~ Finding the 'Center' ~ Were There Budget Alternatives?