(2003-08-23) — In his first King Features Syndicate column, veteran TV journalist Walter Cronkite explains why most reporters are politically conservative.

Mr. Cronkite’s new column, called “And that’s the way I see it…”, offers two reasons for the conservative bias among journalists.
1) Most reporters came up through the ranks observing the harsh inequalities created by the federal government’s various dependency programs which result in de facto segregation, creating a permanent underclass in American society. Since big government social engineering fosters these inequalities, journalists tend to lean toward the conservative values of self-reliance, strong families, and communities where neighbors help neighbors rather than rely on remote bureaucrats.
2) Journalists tend to side with the powerless rather than the powerful, because they have seen how powerful politicians and government agencies can rob one group of people of their money then use it to strip other citizens of their dignity while ostensibly trying to “help” them.
“As a journalist, my heart bleeds for the oppressed,” wrote Mr. Cronkite, “and that’s why I’m a conservative. There…I’ve said it…and I’m unashamed.”

Post This to Your Facebook