While Dr. Rupp’s fascination with this year’s DNC has been the unique experience of seeing, being and feeling as a participant in Denver (envy, envy, envy) I have had the opportunity to live the DNC as most of us do…through the tube. In fact, I actually watch it on two different TVs. But that’s crazy! But not really if you know my purpose. You see, one set is tuned to MSNBC while the other is tuned to FOX News. And last night, Hillary’s speech was of particular interest. I wrote down a bet to myself; I bet that as soon as the speech was over, there would be almost polar opposite opinions by the commentators of these two “news” stations. Oberman’s (MSNBC) first response was “She hit a home run!” while Hume (Fox) had this sour, nonchalant (boring) look on his face as he announced something to the effect of “Well there you have it.”
Commentary among the panelists on both channels continued the polarized responses. “She supported Obama right from the beginning” (MSNBC). “She rarely mentioned Obama and instead promoted herself” (FOX).
So who was right? Can they both be right? Let’s ask this in another way. Traditional journalism demands that news tells you the information in a nonpartisan way so YOU can make the judgment that’s best for you. What perception does Fox have? What Perception does MSNBC have? Are their perceptions dictated by those who write their checks? And, more troublesome, do these anchors present these Administrative dictates as “real news” to you the watcher of the tube? What do you believe?
I’m going to make another bet with myself (mostly since I haven’t asked anyone to bet with me) that when I watch on my two TV sets the higher profile speeches at the Rep Nat. Convention next week, these “newspeople” will conduct a classic case of role reversal.
-Pete Galarneau, Assistant Professor of Communication
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