Commentary by TrueDialog.org's Founder, Carl Lindemann

July 26 - Don't Rain on the Media Parade?

An interesting letter in the KJ, "Hallowell Day Parade Ruined by Politics" points to some of what's wrong with a polarized politics - and partisan media. The writer calls out a disturbing phenomenon seen at the local parade. Things went over-the-top "when (what appeared to be) a secular-progressive, far left group proudly marched by with their Bush-hating, seditious 'Impeach Bush' dribblings."

The writer's objections are twofold. First, this wasn't the right place or time for political expression. And, if it were, "...according to true Democratic policy, the Republicans, independents and otherwise patriotic, God-fearing people with different views should be included."

Really? Is it the responsibility for those who choose to exercise freedom of speech to make sure that opposing views come out to offer their opposed views? This seems to be an odd, local version of the "Fairness Doctrine". If you can't guarantee a "fair and balanced" set of views at the local parade, none should be permitted? Are those who make the effort to speak out to be squelched because others weren't so committed as to come out and voice alternate views? 

If parade organizers are filtering out opposed views, that's a problem. I don't see that is happening here. But what about in the media?  Do opposing views really have equal access?  Or, is it right when news reports "balance" coverage by presenting fringe views on an equal level with the mainstream consensus? What if media presents fringe views as something other than what they are?

On WLOB this morning, Maine Heritage Policy Center's Bill Becker made a startling confession. For all the conservative members of the Congress, only a handful share his views. In other words, Becker is far, far from the mainstream in what is a conservative era. How is it that he is shown as something other than representing fringe views? In WLOB's upside-down perspective, he is not only misrepresented as being mainstream - the mainstream is misrepresented as fringe!

This gets us back to the KJ letter-writer's principled objection is to "...one-sided politically motivated views...without an opposing viewpoint to promote intelligent and responsible debate -- something our country was founded on."

The question is, how do we achieve such true dialog, and do upside-down partisan media presentations "promote intelligent and responsible debate"?

Oh - I accepted WLOB's invitation to debate Becker (see July 17), but I haven't heard a reply. They offered, I accepted - what gives? Are they screening political views at the Hallowell Day Parade, too? 

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