F.A.I.R. is fair!
by David Remer, June 9, 2003
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) is effective in challenging many errors and disinformation in the media. But, note that their challenges often result in retractions or corrections made by the erring media after the headlines have of misinformation have done their damage. Still, I believe the role of FAIR is an important one and should be supported by all who desire to maintain honesty and integrity in media reporting. Following (in blue) are some of the accomplishments of FAIR which are considerable, and are drawn from their website.
When the New York Times and NPR severely downplayed and undercounted anti-war activists in Washington DC, FAIR activists spoke up. What happened? NPR corrected their report, and the New York Times actually ran a new, more accurate story four days later.
After FAIR activists wrote to the Washington Post to urge them to devote more attention to anti-war sentiment (9/30/02), the paper's ombudsman agreed: "I'm in agreement with the readers on these complaints. Whatever one thinks about the wisdom of a new war, once it starts it is too late to air arguments that should have been aired before."
When the Venezuelan military temporarily removed Hugo Chavez from power in April, many U.S. newspapers actually editorialized in favor of the coup, and the Chicago Tribune falsely claimed that Chavez had "prais[ed] Osama bin Laden." FAIR pointed out the error and the anti-democratic nature of these arguments, prompting the Tribune to run a correction.
When Bernard Goldberg's book "Bias" reopened the debate over the supposed liberal bias in the news media, FAIR issued a prompt critique of his work. Thanks in part to years of FAIR's work, pundits with access to the mainstream debate are beginning to acknowledge that the real bias in media is against the left.
Keeping an eye on the big picture, FAIR has organized activists to oppose the FCC's attempts to re-draw media ownership rules to allow big media companies to get even bigger.
FAIR takes no advertising and relies on donations for much of their support and operations. If you believe in the necessity of their role in our democracy, visit their site and consider a donation of any size to keep fairness and accuracy on track in the media.
Written by David R. Remer ©. Posted at June 9, 2003 10:34 PM
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