The real power of those in the news trade is in selecting what is or is not reported.  If you don’t know something happened then for all intents and purposes it didn’t, at least as far as making personal decisions goes.  Like voting for instance.  This is the essence of propaganda and mind control, control the information people get and control the people.  Just like a totalitarian government would do it.  But in some ways it is worse because at least with a ruthless totalitarian government you would expect to be lied to, while in a "free" country with an "open and free press" people assume what they are getting is the unvarnished truth.  Of course like all good propaganda campaigns the MSM use the truth as their shield by selectively reporting what they wish to be known, and slanting how this is portrayed the way they wish people to think of it.

The MSM reporting on the economy since Bush has been in office is a perfect example media bias and propaganda.  A recent analysis of reportage on the issue clearly illuminates the deep bias against the President.  Betsy Newmark gets the Hat Tip for pointing to this excellent article from the Media Research Center (emphasis added):

During the Clinton years, network journalists argued (correctly) that strong economic growth, a rising stock market, low unemployment and low inflation were the benchmark indicators of a good economy. Today, economic growth is a phenomenal 4.8 percent, the stock market has been climbing for three straight years, and inflation and unemployment are both low.

But instead of trumpeting the amazing "Bush economy," TV news has downplayed this recent good news while hyping the bad news of rising fuel costs. Indeed, a new Media Research Center study suggests the broadcast networks are not just noting the discontent about prices but actively stoking public outrage.

To measure the media hype, MRC analysts reviewed ABC, CBS and NBC morning and evening news shows from April 12 through May 2. During those 21 days, the networks collectively aired 183 stories about rising oil and gas prices - 125 full reports or interview segments, plus another 58 brief anchor-read items.

NBC pushed its "Pain at the Pump" theme the hardest, with 48 stories on Today and another 31 on the NBC Nightly News. ABC’s Good Morning America aired 30 stories on gas prices, plus another 29 on World News Tonight. CBS’s Early Show had 28 stories, while the CBS Evening News aired 17.

In contrast, only four network stories during this period mentioned the low unemployment rate, 4.7 percent. And after the government reported strong economic growth on April 28, ABC and NBC each aired one story, while the CBS Evening News has yet to mention that good news.

CBS totally in the tank against the President?!  What a shock!  What makes this funny is that there is a book just out making the case that these very same MSM folks are Bush ‘Lapdogs’ who bend over backwards to do his bidding.  Its priceless lefty-bubbleverse thinking.  I for one need to thank them for the laugh, and the Media Research Center for this good work.