Bias is also very strongly present in television news (even news other than blatant lies as found on certain networks)...it may get worse as the most educated viewers leave to the Internet, and accountability for accuracy goes down.
Yes, bias is very present in broadcast news, but it is somebofy elses bias, and it is usually stunningly obvious, which makes it largely less harmful. When you introduce your own bias in to the news you consume, it is easy to think that the whole world sees things the same way you do. No matter how shitty and biased tv news is, at least it is another perspective.
Some folks do choose their television news source based on their own biases. It may not match your biases, as an educated, Internet-savvy, viewer...but you're not the norm. So, I can see how watching the mainstream television news could be useful as a tool for remaining in touch with what the majority is hearing and believing. I've been overhearing the news lately, as I'm staying with my folks for a few weeks to help out while my dad's sick, and I'm definitely getting a view of the world I hadn't seen in a while. I don't know that it is elevating my mind or spirit in any way, however.
So there's no bias on the Internet? Come on, that's not even serious. Even on HN there is a groupthink. In fact, most of the major new sites are associated with having some supposed bias or another. Can you just go to straight AP reports, sure? Could you just watch C-SPAN yourself? Sure, why not?
