Journalism Bias

The Far Middle episode 157 begins with a tribute to America’s servicemen and women following Armed Forces Day, celebrated the preceding Saturday, May 18. Leading off with the episode’s sports dedication, Nick goes back 40 years to the infamous “bean-brawl game” from August 12, 1984, between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. Nick walks through the “train wreck” of a game that included three separate brawls, 17 players and coaches ejected, and several fans arrested. After hearing Nick’s review of the game that umpire John McSherry described as setting “baseball back 50 years,” relive the madness via YouTube. After revisiting the Padres-Braves drama, Nick asks, “What if my summary was delivered exclusively from the perspective of a devout Braves fan, or how would it differ and contrast if I delivered a summary from a purely partisan Padres fan perspective?” Those hypothetical competing takes on the game leads to the episode’s primary discussion: examining the evolution of journalism from its objective, balanced coverage of societal issues, to its biased state today. Nick focuses on two of the most established names in journalism—The New York Times and National Public Radio (NPR)—delving into their Leftist-bias progression. For the Times, Nick explains how that progression has been occurring for almost a century, while NPR’s biased shift is a relatively more recent change of course. While discussing NPR, the Far Middle’s “Fauci Focus” returns for a special reprise as Nick discusses NPR’s dismissal that COVID could’ve originated from a Chinese lab, “basically backing up 100 percent the positions that Anthony Fauci and NIH took.” In closing, Nick stresses the importance of balanced and objective journalism, expressing hope for the future of news organizations like NPR. Nick concludes by connecting back to 1984, noting the year’s top TV shows, one of which was a news show that’s still airing today.  Far Middle Connections: Today’s episode release date coincides with the anniversary of the Pirates’ Willie Stargell hitting three home runs, a double, and a single in a May 22, 1968, win against the Cubs. Stargell would help the Pirates win the 1971 World Series, their fourth in franchise history, alongside teammate Al Oliver. Oliver is included on Nick’s list of baseball greats deserving a plaque in Cooperstown.