NPR: Is it "Liberal" Media

   Shortly after I posted that suggestion that NPR was not really "liberal" as some might think, I heard commentary by NPR on this, and it summed up my sense of things.Though NPR is embraced by a lot of people who may be left of center, who consider themselves democratic or progressive, the station commentators consider NPR to be "Main Stream" media.

   You can find a transcript of the program I'm talking about at
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/11/04

The following was quoted from Bill O'Reilly: "BILL O'REILLY: 'NPR has now devolved into a totalitarian outfit functioning as an arm of the far left. There’s no question about that.'"

   That is a great quote to demonstrate something about what I mean by Responsible (vs Irresponsible) Speech.  Let's take the word "totalitarian."  Is NPR really totalitarian? What would be Bill O'Reilly's motive for calling it that?  "Totalitarian" is a strong word, with plenty of connotations that may not match up with NPR.  Is it responsible to use an exaggerated, emotionally-laden term to purposely color something you want to describe in darker, more sinister shades?

   What about "arm of the far left?"  Here is a good point:  I have read some of Noam Chomsky's works, which some would consider the "far left,"  in which he depicts America as the central base of what he calls the "Military-Industrial Complex." Michael Moore may have similar perspectives, with his take on 911 and American Health Care.  Whether those views are "far left" or not, NPR has not taken a strong stand in their favor. They may give such views a more favorable airing than conservative stations would, but they have clearly declared that Michael Moore's films are not be well substantiated. I hear callers into The Diane Rehm Show and Talk of the Nation who espouse views about the "Military-Industrial Complex." They are not given a lot of air time and usually, if not always, are cut short by the commentator giving a gentle rebuke for being "too extreme," and then contradicting the callers with "facts." They give the same treatment to callers on the far right, who esteem conspiracy theories and private armies. If NPR was really an "arm of the far left," would it shut down those who call in with far left views in similar ways that they shut down those who call in with far right views? I really don't think so.

   Well, I'm going to read through the transcript of the On the Media show of March11th and see what NPR has to say to substantiate that it is, indeed, "mainstream."  I, for one, happen to think the station is closer to "main stream" than "far left." 

   I'm sorry, Mr. O'Reilly:  I think that your statement about NPR is not responsible speech, and that it makes you look more like someone who is trying to stir up people's emotions than someone who is trying to speak fairly and responsibly.