WGN Morning News Blog

M-S-N-B-C took a look at whether journalists contribute to politicians or political parties.
It looked at contribution records from the FEC and identified 144 journalists who made contributions from 2004 through the current campaign.

Here's the breakdown:

125 jouranlists gave money to the democrats.

17 contributed to the republicans.

2 journalists gave to both parties.

It should be noted that this study represents about 1% of newsroom workers.

When it comes to credibility---perception is everything. If people see me riding a bicycle built for two, with Mayor Daley, or shooting marbles with President Bush, they might have the idea that I'm good friends with those politicians, and would slant my reporting to favor them.

Journalists should know better about contributing to political campaigns.

Having said that... it does not mean that these reporters/producers cannot be fair in writing stories about politicians. As humans, we all have our own way of looking at things, but when we put on the journalist hat, we are required to be fair and balanced.

If I am covering a Hitler youth rally, I don't feel the need to slant the story so viewers don't hear the horrible ramblings of these little Nazis. Every story has two sides----and that always makes for a better story.