How did this happen? When did it become OK for two of the primary news sources in our country to become brainwashing machines? The biases are both obvious (one-sided debates) and subtle (vocal inflections when discussing candidates).

While MSNBC has been the target of criticisms this year, I happen to believe that Fox "Fair and Balanced" is even worse.

I'm sure many will disagree, but I actually applaud cnn this year for bringing something to the table that resembles unbiased election coverage.

1. Brainwashing requires keeping you from all other information sources and forcing you to get information from the chosen source.
2. Our press began as a far more partisan group of media, based more on ideology than "objectivity". The "objectivity" goal is a relatively new thing brought up in reaction to "yellow journalism" and strengthened by the impact of mass media.

I have to agree. But actually both are pretty moderate in their regular news stories. It's in the "op-ed" material where they show bias, much like newspapers. But there may be some problem in the blurring of the two... or at least in people's abilities to tell the difference.

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That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

I am saddened when I hear friends and associates of mine state that they 'only' listen to either fox news or msnbc, without getting perspective from anyone else. Its pretty sad when Sean Hannity or Keith Obermann are the only sources of political viewpoint you are exposed to. But I feel like those programs would be ok if they were intentional about declaring their slant. I think most people realize that fox is extremely republican sided and MSNBC is extremely democratic sided, but without them coming out and saying it, there ARE people that are duped into thinking their way based on ignorance of any alternative. Its too bad we don't have an associated press channel that sticks to news, information and facts that aren't biased, but honestly, who would watch it if it were actual facts and not confrontation.

Remember, we are a society of sports enthusiasts. We love boxing matches, baseball rivalries, and fake wrestling. We've turned the media and news networks into the same thing. Wasn't there a statistic out there that stated that the only group that listens to Rush Limbaugh MORE than his supporters are his detractors? Its sad but its true.

When people already have opinions, media forces that offer the opposite opinion can be just as reaffirming as those that repeat the views of the listener. Just as extreme political interjections mobilize both sides (note the "Palin effect" in raising both McCain and Obama donations).
Really the only time people are "changed" is when receiving new information on a new topic. Then the listener's bias for or against the source will determine the effect of the new information. For instance I am likely to dismiss any new opinion offered by Limbaugh, assume any new opinion by Olbermein to be overblown and inaccurate (though slightly more in league with me), etc. Others might trust Limbaugh without reservation.

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That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

"Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies" All he does is attack Dems and Liberals. I've yet to hear any conservative thinking.

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Cost of War in Iraq Barack Is Beautiful

Fox News is fair and balanced... hardly the 'brainwashing machine' that MSNBC is.

This is hurting my argument that Fox is not actually capable of brainwashing...

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That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

You got that right! MSNBC is 100% one sided.

Yea, they covered Georgia's invasion of South Osetia pretty well,

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Obama, Bob Gates, Colin Powel, Hillary Clinton and other war criminals from Bush administration… Yes, it's a change we can forget about, because do not forget, it was a candidate brought to you by a non democratic media, while any real candidate has been obscured by it.

You will not see any change until you unite for democratic media.

You honesly think that Fox news is fair and balanced? Open your eyes and ears. You like Fox because they tell you want you want to hear - which is I why I mostly watch MSNBC. I don't have a problem with a news source that is not objective; I do, however, have a problem with a non-objective news source running on the false premise that they are "balanced". Both networks should either operate more objectively, or come clean and go all out. Apparently not everyone can detect the blatent political leanings of these networks......hence the problem.