McChesney's "Problem of the Media" Part II

McChesney argues that the Right has been working together since the 70's to paint the media as a liberal giant. Some may see the move as calculating since the effort has resulted in a media that goes out of its way to cast the Right in a positive light. McChesney contends that the argument of a liberal media isn't kept alive by "the quality of the arguments. It is kept alive by hardcore political organizing." In fact, many conservatives will admit in private that the media is very favorable to the Right, but will use the "liberal media" attacks in fund-raising mailers the next day. McChesney explains that these attacks have unfortunate lasting attacks on both the media and democracy. Journalists, who go out of there way not to seem liberal, often do not investigate questionable actions by Republicans. Indeed, we saw this exemplified by the media's hesitance to question the President about the War in Iraq. This fear of looking liberal effectively means that the media can not do its job as a watchdog for society. Republicans are receiving a free ride by the media at the expense of the public.

As McChesney points out earlier, democracy cannot survive without the media and the media cannot survive without democracy. He argues that because of a diminished role the media will no longer be able to support democracy. If politicians are able to escape tough questions and investigations the power will be continually be ceded to them. Our leaders need checks and balances by the media so that our government is free from corruption. This will leave the public without any significant means to exercise democracy. McChesney points out that these attacks could leave a lasting stain on democracy as the media will no longer be able to perform its job as watchdogs.