News Media Bias

This is not the first time I’ve pointed it out, but the runoff Election in Louisiana is a good case study. A nice objective headline might be “Bill Cassidy defeats Senator Mary Landrieu in Louisiana runoff”. Many of tonight’s headlines don’t even mention the winner’s name.

The final vote tally was Cassidy 56%, Landrieu 44%

Ways you could slant the news from one extreme to the other:
“Mary Landrieu falls victim to Republicsn war on women”
“Mary Landrieu loss was a vote against a black president”
“Louisiana loss means government shutdown likely”
“Red Tide victory in Louisiana means tough times ahead for women and blacks”
“KKK leader says he voted for Bill Cassidy”
—
“Bill Cassidy victory sends message to Obama that his presidency is over”
“Republican victory in Louisiana proves Democracy works”
“Louisiana victory means Obama Birth Certificate issue will resurface”
“54 seat majority in Senate means Republicans should play hardball”

Opinions belong on the editorial page, not the front page

So what are the actual headlines from the usual suspects?
NY Times – “Cassidy Defeats Landrieu in Senate Runoff”
Boston Globe – no coverage
Washington Post – “Landrieu, the last Democratic senator in the Deep South, loses runoff in La.”
Chicago Sun-Times – “Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu loses to Republican challenger”
Los Angeles Times – “Bill Cassidy defeats Democrat Mary Landrieu in Louisiana Senate race”
Russia Today – “​US Republicans expand Senate majority with Louisiana win”
Daily mail (Uk) – “Republicans complete their sweep of the South as Democrat Mary Landrieu loses to Bill Cassidy in Louisiana runoff election”
The Guardian (.uk) – no story yet

BBC – “US Republican Louisiana victory boosts Senate majority”
New Orleans Times Picayune – “Mary Landrieu’s future uncertain after Senate loss but says she’s not done”
Associated Press subscribers
– “Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu defeated in runoff by Bill Cassidy”
– “Mary Landrieu loses Louisiana Senate seat to Bill Cassidy as GOP adds to its 2014 gains”
– “Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu defeated”

Fox News – “Landrieu loses reelection bid in Louisiana to Republican challenger Cassidy”
CNN – Landrieu swept away by red tide – Cassidy victory gives GOP 56 Senate seats
[bzzzt – 54 seats unless you expect “independent Socialist” Beenie Sanders to vote Republican]
Bloomberg – “Cassidy Defeats Landrieu in Louisiana Senate Runoff, Expanding Republicans’ Majority”

KPLR-TV (New Orleans) – “Mary Landrieu swept away by red tide as GOP picks up 9th seat”
WWL-TV (New Orleans) – “Cassidy easily defeats Landrieu in Senate runoff”
KTAL-TV (Texarkansas TX) – “Cassidy sinks Landrieu; Republican sweep of south complete”

Internet “news” sources (credible in Google’s eyes)
Mashable – “In a blow to Democrats, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu defeated”
PanAm Post – “Old Mary Landrieu Dies Hard in US Senate Runoff”
Readng Eagle – “Cassidy captures Senate seat in Louisiana runoff”
Communities Digital News – “Landrieu runs out of luck in Louisiana”

LSU Reveille – “Cassidy’s win due in part to African American vote”
Shreveport Times – “Landrieu earned reputation of fighting for state”