Media Bias

The local media's silence on this story is unsettling. Is media bias showing? It certainly seems to be. Where are the Indy and the N&O on this story? After piling on stories for months that favored park boosters, they have nothing pro or con to say in response to McCrory's proposal?

WRAL did an exclusive interview with McCrory two days ago in which he suggested a compromise was possible that would allow a park and a future Dix Hospital on Dix Hill. Not a peep yet from Bob Geary or the folks at the N&O.

see the interview here: http://www.wral.com/mccrory-looks-for-compromise-on-dix/12321834/

The rush to find a reason “why” the Sandy Hook shootings took place results from natural instinct. But, it is important that prejudice against those with psychiatric disabilities and resulting bias in reporting be acknowledged and addressed, so that those with mental illnesses are not painted with a broad brush.

It was a single individual involved in the Friday shootings, and statistics from many years of research show that persons with psychiatric disabilities are not generally more violent than those who do not have a disability. The exceptional cases are those persons with co-occurring substance or alcohol abuses problems, which do have higher rates of violence than the norm.

Politicians should be careful when they rail against mainstream news media. A study from North Carolina State University shows that perceived bias of media outlets can lead to increased political engagement – but only on specific issues.

When there is a general perception of bias in the news media it actually results in increased apathy among citizens.

“With this study, we wanted to see whether people’s perception of media bias affected their political participation, beyond voting,” says Dr. Andrew Binder, an assistant professor of communication at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research. “For example, if people think the news media do not reflect their views, are they less politically engaged? Or does it spur them to take political action?”

Answer: It depends..."

This month's [Civitas] poll luncheon will be held in Raleigh, NC at the Cardinal Club. Our guest speaker will be Brad Crone, president of Campaign Connections, a political and public affairs consulting firm. Mr. Crone has extensive experience in media consulting, campaign management and state government.

Also don't miss Civitas "Quiz" here.

Details from Civitas on its Poll Luncheon:

I am confident many of you get the emails from Credo Action as I do, but like me you may not always have the time or energy to read dozens of emails from groups like this every day. But please read this excerpt from their Friday email:

Byron Williams is just one example of the very real and growing danger of political violence from the far-right — and FOX's continued promotion of hatemongers like Glenn Beck only fans the flames.

That's why we've partnered with Color of Change to launch a campaign to reduce FOX's poisonous, dangerous influence on our nation. More than 200,000 people have signed the petition asking businesses and public places to stop playing FOX News. Will you add your voice?

Watch the video and sign the petition to Turn Off FOX on public TV's in your neighborhood.

My comment in reply to Bob Geary Story, "Greg Poole’s Dix is great. His TIF financing plan isn’t.”

"Let me try commenting on this blog...again. My comment from last week has mysteriously disappeared with no explanation from Bob Geary or Lisa Sorg.

Not only is the park as Greg Poole proposed it not a good idea, anyone wanting my reasons why can call me in Raleigh at 919-781-7278 to hear the other side of the story, and I will also post this at BlueNC, where comments don't mysteriously disappear.

Also, there is no doubt in my mind that the Wake Legislative delegation has caved in to pressure from Poole and others, as those who were supporting other options for the Dix property (and that is what we are really discussing here) are quietly supporting selling the property for development. There may be a park, but one "like Central Park in NY City" will never happen.

Alright, get your lie detectors out...you can ask him anything but only his hair dresser knows for sure.

Cross-posted from Bloviations

An interesting error appeared in today's print edition of the Jacksonville Daily News.

This letter appeared in the paper.