Balance in the media

Should news broadcasters be required to be balanced and impartial in their reporting of events?

Globally countries operate a number of differing codes with regards to media balance in broadcast news services. Some liberal democratic states allow for news to be reported with significant ideological bias, on both sides of the political spectrum. It is common within Europe, however, for news broadcasters to be required by law to present balanced coverage of news, with a range of viewpoints being offered. Is there a need for the state to demand balance in this area? And even if there is, is it legitimate for it to do so?

--------------
Source :idebate.org

Sometimes there is a very fine line between imagination and opinion. I remember when I was less interested in mainsteam media I used to get my news from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Even humor is subjective and many times it is difficult to separate our intellect from our emotions.
Remember Emily?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJdz5cu4RF8

Stephen Colbert turns Congress into comedy central as he testifies on immigrant labour in character

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1314987/Stephen-Colbert-turns-Senate-comedy-central-testifies-immigrant-labour-character.html

Jon Stewart Rally Attracts Estimated 215000 - Political Hotsheet ...
To be fair I feel there may be rare times when Glenn Beck's opinions are based on actual field work

Everyone in the united states can access PBS and News Hour is by far one of the most unbiased televised news sources in the country.

"Quit listening to comedians and be real". That is the funniest thing you said lol

Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh are famous for slandering Liberals

www.caletavip.net/.../beck-lies-about-soros-amp-the-holocaust-countdown-k6pmpdqrudt+28s.html -

Anyone with half a brain could figure out that Beck was not a witness to what he accused George Soros of He read pieces of his book and imagined the rest. People are gullible and thats why they will listen two second hand opinions rather than looking for actual evidence.

You who are citizens of this country are being raped and plundered as sure as any Mongol horde ran over Asia.

^^
This goes for all people except for the small group that really is in charge. We are all subject to manipulation, Donald..all of us. There is no such thing as true facts being shared. Why not? Because then we would no longer be willing to follow the leaders of our countries like sheeps. The few that speak up are silenced, at all costs. Character assasination, murder, thrown behind bars, you name it..Most of what goes on in this world stinks.

There used to be a time when we lived in small groups and no one could deceive the other(s) because all facts were known. Nowadays societies are woven, much more so since internet made his entrance and we can no longer know things for certain. Therefore we have to rely on authorities to inform us, this goes from small things, like what goes on in your hometown, to national scale ( governments) to global issues. We have so many issues we are in the dark about and the ones who have to inform us have their reasons for manipulating or at the very least color our vision..Take for instance my profession. I am a weight consultant. I know that all that is needed to make someone loose weight is for them to start getting some exercise and to eat healthy. I tell my clients honestly that they don't need expensive pills to reach their goals. They are lucky when they happen to cross my path. Many doctors subscribe their patients pills to do the job for them. Same goes for other health problems ..they treat the symptoms and not the cause because treating the symptoms is what keeps the economy going..we are talking billions of dollars/ euros in medicines globally.

@ Hellon

I am sorry, I should have been more precise. I was talking about the time long before Christ was born and we knew everyone within our tribe. The days when all was simple, and all you did was trying to survive. I would not have had much of a practice then, ha ha ha, as far as I know you didn't have many obese people then;)

And now I really have to get some work done, have fun with the discussion, all.

Lol, before Christ is a long time, for some even the time "before cable" is unimaginable :p

No, I am talking about when people still lived in tribes, and lived in tents/ caves etc. The men hunted and women collected fruit. Those people did what they are designed for: MOVE ABOUT! In the times of the old Greek and the Romans the wealthy ones indeed were obese, why? they sat on their fat butts and did nothing but eat...like so many nowadays do too... a recipe for disaster. In my country over 50 % of the population is obese.

I am still trying to imagine the Mongol horde texting the Asians; ......in case you were wondering you have just been raped and plundered.. thank you for your time.. and for squealing like a pig

Woe is me somebody has watched too much Glenn Beck XD

"Genghis Khan
He could not keep
All his kings
Supplied with sleep
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
When we get up to it"

HAHAA! OMG. Michael lol

Ask youself this Hellon and I mean, really take the time to ponder upon this: did progress bring us any further?