September 11, 2008

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Over the weekend, MSNBC demoted Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews for ‘biased comments.’ Do you think the news media presents biased information? (Asked at Sonoma Chicken Coop)


“Absolutely. For one thing, a woman shouldn’t be judged differently than a man. Just because she [Sarah Palin] has kids doesn’t maker her a lesser candidate.”

Jennyann Amarillas, 45
Almaden
Insurance broker


“I don’t think the news reports are unbiased. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but I don’t think their opinions should be broadcast. Things would be less biased if they were editorializing and said so, if not they should just do straight reporting.”

Steve Pollett, 53
Almaden
Small business owner


“She’s [Sarah Palin] such an unknown so the media is seeking anything because they don’t have anything on file. So they are going to be more aggressive with her. She was definitely assertive, no doubt about her. McCain chose her because she brought in the Christian right, and then the money started rolling in, so I don’t have a lot of respect [for them].”

Ken McKenzie, 61
Willow Glen
Technical consultant


“Promoting one team over the other is not being unbiased.”

Jessica Blunt, 32
Almaden
Realtor for Alain Pinel


“I’ve been reading a lot and I don’t think they are being biased. I think they have a responsibility to the intensity of the process and sometimes it swings one way or the other, There was a huge energy surge with the Democratic Convention and the same thing with Palin. I don’t think their reporting was biased.”

Sharon Keefer, 62
Almaden
Realtor with Alain Pinel


“I hope the news media is biased. She [Sarah Palin] needs to be home taking care of business with her family. She has a child with special needs and a 17-year-old daughter that’s pregnant.”

Gina Cerruti, 37
San Jose
Special ed teacher


“Yes, I think the media has its own agenda, but it depends on the station. Fox News is biased and some in the media have strong ties with the current administration.”

Liz Sprotzer, 24
San Francisco
Union employee


“The news media is made up of individuals and every individual has his or her own bias, but not in any particular direction. I think they are generally biased and they express it but it’s OK.”

Brendan, 25
Almaden
Options trader