Robin Hanson point out an example of media bias that is hiding in plain sight; the media loves to report negative articles about China. This strikes me as obviously true, and very troubling.
It also reminded me of the Niall Ferguson vs James Fallows debate, where Ferguson took the China bashing position, and Fallows laid the smack down.
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Saturday ~ January 2nd, 2010 at 8:50 pm
RickRussellTX
Would you expect the media to be “fair” to a regime that practices intense media repression?
I mean, seriously, I’m not being facetious. If their government is constantly censoring and imprisoning journalists, wouldn’t you expect journalists to highlight negative news about them?
http://www.rsf.org/en-pays57-China.html
http://www.rsf.org/en-classement1003-2009.html
I might subscribe to the idea that journalists should be “above” a sense of self-defense, and report “fairly” on regimes with intense media repression — but journalists are human. Surely it isn’t surprising.
Monday ~ January 4th, 2010 at 4:09 am
teageegeepea
Do you remember when the Onion had its taken-over-by-the-Chine edition? Good stuff.
Scott Sumner is pushing back against the media’s sinophobia, as is Matthew Yglesias.
Wednesday ~ January 6th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Rick Russell
You pulled my comment? Disappointing. Like a Chinese government censor, you are.
Wednesday ~ January 13th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Adam Ozimek
Sorry Rick, that first comment was accidently neglected for approval. These things slip by sometimes.
Wednesday ~ January 13th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
RickRussellTX
Thank you!