CNN's "Fairness" Doctrine — Forget Those Math Lessons

Let's say you have a rally of a few hundred thousands and you have a counter-protest rally of a few dozens - how do you make sure you give equal coverage to each side? The typical solution was to offer each side equal amount of air time - you spend 5 minutes interviewing one of the few-hundred-thousand-strong crowd (preferably - someone who has a hard time answering the tricky questions) and then you spend another 5 minutes interviewing the leader of those few that showed up to counter the main event. Now, the leftie's idea of fairness also includes pretending not to be able to estimate the actual number of participants of the major rally, in an attempt to portray the counter-protest group as equal in size:

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A CNN anchor told his viewers last week that he could not make out for certain whether there were more pro-life or pro-abortion advocates demonstrating at the 37th annual March for Life - despite the fact that conservative estimates place several hundred thousand pro-life protesters in D.C. that day, compared to a few dozen pro-abortion counter-demonstrators.

Noting that there was a rally on the Washington Mall, CNN’s Rick Sanchez asserted, “So as you might imagine there are both sides being represented.”

But Sanchez then surmised that both sides might have had comparable numbers present.

“Which side is represented the most Angie, do we know?” Sanchez then queried to his producer. “Do we know?” When there was no response, Sanchez went on to promise that CNN would “keep an eye” on the situation and report on the matter “fairly and squarely.”

While Sanchez was speaking, CNN footage gave the initial impression of equal pro-life and pro-abortion numbers by using two close-up video shots of the small cadre of pro-abortion advocates gathered in front of the Supreme Court building. Another frame showed a close-up of individuals holding aloft pro-life signs with pro-abortion advocates jockeying for footage by walking with their signs in front of the camera.

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Hmm.... I wonder whether Sanchez would have the same problem doing the math if this was an anti-war rally, opposed by a handful of supporters of the war on terrorism? Or - if this was an "animal rights" march, countered by a few seal hunt supporters? I bet, in that case, he would be glad to give us the most optimistic estimate of the number of participants, while the counter-protesters could look forward for nothing but a brief mention that yes, there was a handful of them there. But when it comes to a rally the CNN wouldn't want to notice - they can't do the math. Can't see the difference between hundreds of thousands and mere dozens.

This, once again, shows the importance of having independent Catholic and Social Conservative news outlets as well as the pressing need to redouble our efforts to bring those few media outlets to the mainstream level.