Weapons of Mass Distortion

May 31, 2004
A political talk-show circuit regular, Bozell runs the Media Research Center, an organization that has published several books documenting liberal media bias. In his first solo effort, Bozell richly—and selectively—documents examples of liberal influence in America's newsrooms. There's little doubt that a good deal of what Bozell identifies does exist—there are plenty of examples of "liberal hate" that went unnoticed and undenounced in the press (e.g., the New Yorker
's Seymour Hersh stating, "We have an attorney general that is, I don't know, how would you describe him, demented?")—but his thesis nearly requires that he present a partial picture. Bozell enlists right-tilting Bernard Goldberg as rhetorical ally and labels Eric Alterman and his ilk as "liberal media deniers." Many similar books are rife with contradiction, and Bozell's is no exception (which isn't to imply that left-leaning books are any fairer). Thus Bozell mocks Newsweek
as a left-wing rag akin to the Nation
—until he approvingly quotes Newsweek
pundit Howard Fineman when it suits him. Readers may come away thinking there's too much bias in both directions. Bozell's book is music to conservative ears and may even open some liberals' eyes—assuming they'll deign to read it. Agent, Alex Hoyt. (July)

Forecast:
A national conservative radio campaign and author interviews will kindle sales.

July 1, 2004
It is hard to believe that the market for books on bias in the press is not completely saturated. Recent works like Al Franken's Lies and Eric Alterman's What Liberal Media? charge that the media have a conservative bias, while Bernard Goldberg's Bias and Bob Kohn's Journalistic Fraud charge the opposite. Bozell, president of the Media Research Council, sides with the latter, examining such issues as abortion, taxes, environment, religion, gay rights, and gun control to show that the media foster a liberal agenda. He uses anecdotal evidence while focusing on Dan Rather, whose liberalism he claims is transparent. Bozell does not believe that liberals will ever concede their bias and argues that the liberal media are headed for a meltdown. Although he claims that his arguments are supported by research done at the Media Research Council, no evidence is provided, and the partisan tone makes the book read like a very long editorial. Nevertheless, libraries following the back and forth on this issue should purchase.-Judy Solberg, George Washington Univ. Libs., Washington, DC

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2004
Notwithstanding the large and growing numbers of conservative commentators on television and radio, Bozell, nationally syndicated writer and president of a media watchdog group, reveals what he calls staggering evidence of liberal bias in the media. Those who set the agenda for what gets into the news and the angle of the reporting have decidedly liberal viewpoints and an arrogant sense that they are the social conscience of the nation, Bozell asserts. He critiques recent books, including Eric Alterman's " What Liberal Media?" and Al Franken's " Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" (both 2003), which claim there is a growing conservative bias in the media. Bozell begins by exploring how the media view conservatives and liberals and their respective roles in society and illustrates how the media promote liberal issues and try to influence events. Bozell concludes with a prediction of the coming meltdown of the liberal media as public confidence in news reporting erodes. Whether readers agree with his perspective or not, those interested in the media will find this an interesting read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)