The Administration's Propaganda Arm

What do you get when the New York Times and CBS intentionally distort a poll in favor of the President’s healthcare plan and ABC turns an entire broadcast day over to the White House to air a healthcare marathon? Indisputable proof that much of the media in this country can no longer be trusted. So far, the Times/CBS hasn’t offered any explanation as how their “sampling” contained Obama supporters by a margin of two to one. ABC on the other hand has promised to be unbiased. I promise to forego my beloved beer for a month. Both promises are equally worthless.

From Investor's Business Daily:

This Wednesday, on every show from "Good Morning America" (kicking things off with an interview with the president) to "World News Tonight" (broadcast from the Blue Room) to a prime-time special called "Prescription for America" (and emanating from the East Room), the network will puff the Obama administration's trillion-dollar plan to nationalize U.S. health care.

The all-day, White House-based coverage itself amounts to a nationalization — this one of a major media outlet in support of an administration that will return the favor for access at the cost of objectivity and the public's right to know.

What of the public’s right to know? During the previous administration the “public’s right to know” was sacrosanct. Unfortunately, this right has joined “dissent is the highest form of patriotism” as a passé concept.

IBD continues:

Under the cover of news, ABC can present the president's side of the health reform issue as "factual" and leave out the real costs and concerns about government control and rationing of health care. Personal stories that tug at the heartstrings will be featured prominently, as will unchallenged canards about the wonders of socialized medicine.

Long and repetitive coverage will numb the public into thinking all sides have been explored. A token few seconds of time given over to a critic or two will enable ABC to call its coverage "fair." But expect the opposition to be portrayed as heartless or wacko.

So, what will the public’s reaction to ABC’s day long infomercial? I hope most Americans will refuse to watch ABC on Wednesday and going forward. The propaganda ploy will only work if people allow themselves to be sucked in. I think Americans are smarter than that.