Liberal media bias

Whenever I hear an argument with "I know it's impossible to argue with the liberal media, but ..." I automatically roll my eyes. As a journalist, I know that I shouldn't do that. The speaker could proceed to say the most intelligent and thought-provoking commentary, but I wouldn't be listening. I instinctively tune out at the phrase "liberal media bias." I'm sure people who believe in a vast "left-wing conspiracy" aren't bad people, but to characterize a faceless institution such as the media -- something that has no consciousness of its own -- with a political agenda is laughable.\nBefore we go any further, yes, I must admit my own bias. I am a college liberal. I will freely admit to this. However, when I write, I try to put those preconceived notions of liberalism on hold and focus on the truth. Sometimes my liberalism sneaks through. However, I try not to make it that big of an issue. As a journalist, I'm supposed to be objective. When I do express my political opinion, I make sure to specifically state that it is my opinion and not fact.\nHowever, not all journalists feel the same. Many purposefully blur the line between opinion and fact, leading their audience to a biased truth. Fox News automatically springs to mind. Despite all its claims of being "fair and balanced," most people are aware of their blatant pro-Republicanism. It's obvious to anyone who watches the channel for 15 minutes. I don't mind that there are conservative talk shows on Fox News. What bothers me is that their conservative nature spreads to the facts it reports.\nOn March 28, an article in the Hackensack, N. J., Record proved how "fair and balanced" Fox News really is. The article, titled "'Die-ins' Target War and News Media," covered another anti-war protest that tied up traffic in Manhattan. First off, many of the "liberal" protesters involved were against how the "liberal" news media covered the war in Iraq. If there was such a blatant left-wing bias in the media, then why would fellow liberals protest it? Secondly, and more importantly, the protest took place in the area around Rockefeller Center, where most major news corporations, such as NBC and Fox, have their headquarters. On its "rolling news-ticker," which is supposed to be used for, you know, the news, Fox News scrolled its own "fair and balanced" ideas such as "Who won your right to show up here today?" and "How do you keep a war protester in suspense? Ignore them."\nWhether you agree with the war or not, you must admit that Fox News presented opinion as fact. Sure, some might agree with what rolled by on the news-ticker. But unless Fox News has some new policy, the news-ticker should be used for news. At a time when people should know what's happening to our soldiers thousands of miles away, Fox News instead uses its powerful position to make snide remarks. To present obvious (and, in my opinion, wrong) opinions in place of news is dangerous. People should know what's going on and not be forced to swallow partisan rhetoric. \nMedia experts quoted in the Record article say " … the display -- tagged with the Fox News logo -- threw journalistic objectivity out the window and also ridiculed the First Amendment right to freedom of speech." For an "objective news source" to so obviously favor one side over the other is dangerous, not only to us, but to our democracy. But, what do I know? I'm just part of the liberal media.