June 20, 2013

Politics

Network news betrays bias in gun control coverage

BY: MICHAL CONGER FEBRUARY 5, 2013 | 4:52 PM
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The mainstream media is solidly behind the liberal push for gun control, if its coverage of gun policy is any indication.

The Big Three news networks — ABC, NBC and CBS — have overwhelmingly favored stories supporting gun control over pro-gun stories, according to a study released by the Media Research Center on Tuesday.

MRC evaluated 216 stories on gun policy that aired between the Dec. 14 school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and Jan. 17. The study found the networks featured stories advocating gun control eight times more often than stories opposing more restrictive gun laws.

CBS was by far the worst offender, MRC reports:

By a whopping 22 to 1 ratio, CBS aired more stories that favored gun control (44) to those that supported gun rights (2), with 37 neutral pieces. ABC aired almost six times as many stories that favored gun control (29) to those that favored gun rights, with 25 neutral stories. NBC pushed for more gun control in 26 of their stories to just 5 that tilted in favor of gun rights for a 5 to 1 ratio, with 43 neutral segments.

As for spokesmen, MRC reports viewers were much more likely to hear from gun control advocates like New York Michael Bloomberg, whose state has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, than gun supporters like National Rifle Association President David Keene.

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Author:

Michal Conger

Watchdog Staff Writer
The Washington Examiner

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