Media watchdogs are a relatively new phenomena. Formed for the purpose of regulating bias and ensuring media ethics, these groups are all trying to counteract what they perceive as unfair news reporting and media propaganda. With the proliferation of internet users and communications over the past two decades, the role of media watchdogs is much more viable today than ever before.
While some media watchdogs strive to remain outside of the battle between conservative and liberal media forces, others are admitted champions of one side or another. Instead of engendering equilibrium through example, these organizations try to increase media ethics by criticizing the opposing side, while at the same time supporting the side that they believe is underrepresented and unfairly portrayed. Although they themselves are biased, are both conservative and liberal watchdogs necessary?
A Conservative Media Watchdog
The Media Research Center is one of the more outspoken conservative media watchdogs. It began in the late 80's as a group of young conservatives who had the desire to prove that there was a definite liberal bias in the media with sound evidence. To combat liberal media propaganda, they have compiled years of research — quotes, blogs, and reports — to not only inform the public, but to be used as a resource of the media.
An example of the work of this conservative media watchdog is an article published on the media coverage after Senator Edward Kennedy's death. According to the Media Research Center, the news was one-sided, failing to debate the late Senator's policies, possibly even using his death as media propaganda to push health care reform. Although many people may not agree with this perspective, are there not benefits of suggesting the discussion?
A Liberal Media Watchdog
Media Matters for America is one of the most popular liberal media watchdogs. Like their conservative counterparts, they openly declare their campaign against what they consider to be a lack of media ethics, although on the part of conservatives, instead of liberals. Started in 2004, this group of individuals shares motives and actions with the conservative group, as they try to offset their perception of media bias. They monitor the news for misinformation as well as for reporting that, according to Media Matters for America, "forwards the conservative agenda." They also provide their research to journalists and activists, as well as the public.
This liberal media watchdog covers a number of media figures and issues, for example, conservative media propaganda about health care reform. Media Matters for America posted a response to assertions that health care reform would raise people's taxes, by explaining it would only raise taxes for those who make more than a certain amount ($350,000 combined income), and then only by one percent. For a segment of the population, this would still be considered an undesirable increase in taxes, but all of society benefits from knowing the full story.
The Role of Media Watchdogs
Both of these media watchdogs exist because they believe there is an unfair liberal or conservative bias in the media, and that they have to counteract that force to create balance. It is true that they have an opposing view of what should be considered media propaganda, and who is failing to implement media ethics, but their necessity is unquestionable.
There is a vast spectrum of viewpoints in America, with no one single perspective being completely right or completely wrong. The media, in tune with the needs of advertisers, politicians, financial supporters, and the public, tries to speak from the perspectives that they believe are the strongest and most important. With such a variety of needs, it is almost impossible to maintain balance and ethics in the news. It is the role of the media watchdogs to create the pressure needed for media ethics. They offer a valuable service to the public by providing a monitoring system of the mainstream media.
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