Unpopularity Contest

I seemed to have waded into a minefield with yesterday's column about death panels.

My point was basic: When something is clearly and factually inaccurate, journalists should say so. And the issue of the supposed euthanasia panels under the Obama plan was a rare instance in which news organizations did just that. And yet it didn't matter, with 45 percent of Americans saying in an NBC poll that they believe the plan includes government panels that would make end-of-life decisions.

I'm told this was the most commented-upon piece on washingtonpost.com, and many of those holding forth fell into two camps: those who believe we in the MSM don't do enough of calling a spade a spade (and therefore let the conservatives get away with murder), and those who believe we are liberal shills (and therefore have no credibility no matter what we say).

Over at the Web site, Doug Feaver highlighted some of the comments:

"24681 wrote, 'Traditional media is no longer able to influence Public opinion because the Public recognizes traditional media for what it is - an arm of the Democratic Party. Actually, we've known it for decades, but it's only in recent times that the Public has alternative news sources and opinion sites such as the Internet, cable TV and talk radio . . .'

"johnhodson wrote, 'I am sick of the media refusing the use the dreaded 'L word' . . . I 'm ta[l]king about 'Lying'! There are too many times when they say 'fact check' . . . and many many other synonyms for not telling the truth . . . "

"richcpl said, 'Yes, the mainstream media worked to debunk the phony claim about death panels. But that's just surface work. What they should have done -- what their true job as journalists is -- was to take it a step further and actively slam the liars peddling the crap to the public. Muckrake. It used to be a high calling.'

"Oomingmak wrote, 'When the media is more interested in covering 'the ruckus' rather than a healthy and fair debate, bad information drives out good. In a nutshell, the media empowers crazies.'

"sandynh said, 'Since main stream journalists . . . have proven that they are illiterate and so truly liberal as to embrace a politician so brazenly tainted, without qualifications and seemingly swarming with unsavory supporters whose claim to fame is to destroy the United States of America, no wonder they are 'left out'. The only reason we keep you around is to attack you on a daily basis. It's fun.' "

Glad somebody's having fun.

There's plenty to criticize in the media's performance -- hey, I make a living at it. But some -- I emphasize some -- of the commenters seem heavily influenced by their own ideology and view the press through that prism.

By the way, we is not illiterate.