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Judging fairness in the media

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    Ex-ABC News head weighs in on how media bias affects presidential elections

  • Duration 5:49
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-- -- segment tonight you may remember that last week reported on an excellent study by the Media Research Center that pinpointed how the three network nightly newscasts are covering.

The wealth of Mitt Romney as opposed to how they covered John Kerry's money.

-- of course ran against President Bush 2004.

According a study in the period from January to April of this year the three newscasts discuss Romney's wealth 27.

Talks.

The same period 2004 they discuss carries finances.

Once.

The fact ABC news did fifteen stories on -- money one.

On carry much.

That was better than NBC which did not.

-- -- -- Here now is a man who was running ABC news back in 2004 David West and the author of the brand new book.

Exit interview about his time ABC news but what say you about this study.

The first thanks for having me -- -- What I would not responsible for that is now an arsonist lose their coverage I was Specter -- -- carry time.

And in my recollection 2004 -- the big issue the country was facing was the war.

Right Iraq that's where is talking about.

And interest -- -- if you remember this well what happened during that election was really they've turned around Kerry's war record with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth they talk about this in the book.

And made it all sort of a referendum on here is a claim to be -- -- -- there was all -- that went to character and and what I aides see it to network news now.

Is it basically they're trying day being certain individuals not every one I just ornaments on everybody but it's certain individuals trying to portray Romney is as -- at a touch guy.

-- -- we just saw a clip with Diane -- and in India -- open saying -- you know it UN -- -- -- -- pretty much out of touch.

Now that there isn't anybody in.

More.

Wealthy.

Than John Kerry he lives on Beacon Hill he's got a house on Nantucket he's wind -- all over the place are right he's -- -- -- it was never mentioned and now Romney that's the scene.

And so some people might say look they're trying to demonize Romney because of this money while -- gave Kerry a -- Yes -- and I'm not saying that they shouldn't have they shouldn't cover this less than they are -- try to defend that billable what I am saying is right now I think.

Many Americans are worried about their economic situation there -- with their jobs their houses their children they're 41 cases that that that was natural into this diocese he did that it's economically driven I don't see it that way and we also driven by -- the opponent.

I mean the Obama campaign is pushing this story very it's certainly the media is just picking up on George W.

Bush was pushing the let's challenge -- -- record very hard to.

I don't know about that I know certainly the swift boat veterans for justice supported bush but I don't know how -- the involvement that bush had the bush white house with those people.

Now you're at ABC after I left I think that's why you came as soon as I don't they don't see.

Yeah Al -- and came in running operation value -- -- lot got a way through my great -- I have to be honest I I'd like ABC news much more than CBS which I had worked for prior.

But I did see a liberal culture in the management of ABC news when I was there and I think that the people would admit that they personally their belief system was liberal.

Am -- wrong.

Well we fought against it every day did you real yes why did you fight against it because I thought our mission was not to be leftists that are -- -- senator but to try to so you saw what I saw that I saw a lack of diversity.

And it wasn't just political diversity -- -- that define itself what it white rich people religious.

It it can be race and ethnicity it can be -- you don't know and I record and I was always concerned that we needed voices at the table.

Who would say you know part of the world doesn't see -- the way you do.

There's another part of the world and I thought this -- I come from Michigan.

And just about some small way.

The midwest.

Without you saw that there was an elitism and ABC news and NN and -- -- -- for everybody hire people like themselves and how well I don't know any -- or how worried that with a liberal elitists it and they when you got there and well.

There was a range of people but I thought we should diversify out from -- East Coast orientation.

And -- upper middle class and yes white Caucasian.

And expand out and hire a diverse group of people and put them -- managed or are mainly little conservative -- would admit that there were many more liberal thinkers and conservatives in the news organization when he got there we do not.

I never asked people what -- personal views are.

But my but still honest to god we fought every single day against that I mean I never heard people in new discussions take a liberal points of view as little when you ever.

As you know I was a friend Peter -- yeah all right and you in here have a guy and I'd like to -- -- this book by the way I read it.

They have a great story about you going to head to head as a you're a rookie with Jennings is a monster.

About Princess Diana I don't wanna give this story way it is I want people to read your book it's a very very telling -- good story.

Jennings himself was a liberal man all right he -- but he did try to tamp it down he did but.

He and you can't get the whole culture of network news what was left he admitted it to us and bill Worley that they were in the book is we all -- bias -- we know what -- -- -- we -- let's put it.

All I think we really did change it you think -- there and I think we did make progress in saying other people have a voice at the -- last question you think Romney's gonna get a fair shake from the three network news organizations as opposed to Obama's -- coming.

I think.

For -- I'm not running I -- know I know you're not gonna use this is what I really think.

I think that news or did you respond of the audience much more than we give them credit for and ultimately we all get the news media that we demand I think you guys are okay fair so far I think NBC obviously -- way left.

But UNC BS seemed to be at least trying but you're not there anymore I'm just -- -- because here attached ABC.

By the book is exit interview it's a good read -- wanna know about Jennings it gives a lot of really good stuff about him in the book and the source of facts I think -- -- --

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