I thought there was an interesting piece today by Jeff Jacoby of The Boston Globe. Also, Howard Kurtz "Media Notes" today makes the point that the press coverage of gay/lesbian marriage is fairly one-sided. I think I have to agree with Jeff and Howard. Anyone else notice this? It's possible to be in agreement with the "cultural elites" and support gay marriage, but still notice that, given that at least half of my countryment don't, the press coverage seems unnecessarily biased. This remains a very divisive issue, and our newspapers are not doing it justice. They have forgone intellectual justice in favor of journalistic activism. I think it stinks. I mean, I think anyone ought to marry whomever they want, and even I can say that I think this biased coverage stinks. Good thing those who know what's best for us are willing to save us from ourselves!
Here's a sample:
Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby chides the media, saying the state's judges "...knew they would have the support of the cultural elites, for whom individual autonomy and the pursuit of happiness often seem to be the highest social values. In the allegedly 'progressive' mindset, which dominates what you read in the paper and see on TV, social traditions exist to be challenged, family structure is highly flexible, and the mainstreaming of homosexuality is something only haters or fanatics could oppose."
"No surprise, then, that the media depiction of the same-sex marriage controversy has been strikingly one-sided. The views of those who favor it are often and prominently featured; their appeals to justice and compassion are repeatedly quoted, echoed, and expanded on. There has been a shower of celebratory coverage centered on the wedding plans of gays and lesbians, and upbeat descriptions of all sorts of related matters, from the marketing of wedding dresses for lesbians to the first Bride's magazine article on same-sex ceremonies."
"But there is rarely an admiring story about those who take a stand against throwing out the ancient definition of marriage. Rarely does the coverage suggest that they might have an argument worth listening to or an insight worth considering."
Here's the media notes column:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/nation/columns/kurtzhoward/
