Media reaction to health care bill passing:On ABC's Sunday evening national news, with Diane Sawyer at the desk, there was a surprisingly pro-reform tilt now that the bill is going to pass. Their in-house doctor, Timothy Johnson, was saying that the bill would do many good things, that it's the sort of thing all other developed countries are doing, etc. Sawyer seemed to share his upbeat view. This mood was evident on the local news as well.
Until something like this passes the media tend to take a "hands off" view that gives equal time to every voice out there (including confused or deceptive Republican ones). But that when "it" passes, either out of a respect for the power that the majorities represent, because they think its good policy, or because its the new status quo, the media will defend it.
posted by Quiddity at 3/21/2010 06:40:00 PM
Saw Tim Johnson in a small group setting at Harvard a year or so ago and he was very concerned about how to fix healthcare in the US. He has been a proponent of something different for a long time. He also knows that he is close to retirement at ABC News and can say what he feels is correct.
The difference now is that Sawyer and other careerists will back the winning side. At least for awhile.
Yea, I noticed that strange transformation both on national and local media outlets. Maybe proves Cheney right - jam what you want through and America backs a decider.
