From a birdie named Cathrine…
Greetings! I’m a producer for “BackStory With the American History Guys,” a public radio show about American history that is based here in Charlottesville at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and hosted by the historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh. The show tries to provide the historical background of contemporary news headlines. So for example, we’ve done recent shows on the history of voting, presidential transitions, and energy consumption.
We’re a call-in show and we’re currently looking for callers for our “Just the Facts?: Partisanship and the Press” show, which will examine how the American media has negotiated the line between partisanship and “objectivity” over time. More specifically, we’re out to call into question listeners’ assumptions about how bias has operated in American journalism in the past (for most of our history, partisanship was the major driving force rather and something to be avoided). A blurb for the show is available here: http://www.backstoryradio.org/
I thought that some of you Cvillains might be interested in calling in. It seems to me that blogs like Cvillain are proof that we’ve turned a page in this discussion of “objectivity” in the media. As a frequent lurker here, I know that there is valuable local news to be found on this site, but you also make no bones about being “objective” in your delivery. I mean, that’s basically laughable. And yet many perspectives are represented as others weigh in on the discussion threads. I dunno, I think there’s something here and I hope we can get some of you on board. We’ll even let you use a fake name!
Our upcoming recording session will take place on Sunday, February 1, from 9am-12pm. Calls are recorded, not live, and generally take about 10-15 minutes. If you are interested in participating, you can drop me an email (cvmoore@virginia.edu) or give me a call (434-996-2088) to set it up.
So what do you say? History! Partisanship! Fun! Feel free to make fun of me in true Cvillain style for this request. I’m an avowed and unapologetic dork and I’m used to it. Hope to hear from you!
[pic from oztenphoto]
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- Share Your Ridiculous Graduation Weekend Stories…
- Which Local Media Will Fail the Quickest?
Um, have you read this blog? We believe everyone is biased and probably a wanker. Political discussions break down into a food fights, we really can’t even have them. Sensitve lurkers and quasi regulars are often punished with a torrent of disdain and ridicule. Life on this blog can be “nasty, brutish, and short”.
Plus the current rise of partisan press (FOX, MSNBC) is just a return to the press of old and a reflection of the european presses dichotomy. The european media diversity of opinion is augmented by ever shifting coalition governments, which naturally support such a trend. Add to this fragmentation of media and narrowcasting of the echo chamber, the results were predictable. The real question is will this splintering lead to a more powerful moderate middle that will foster real change by eschewing extreme partisanship.
So good luck with this
does anyone else get the sense, i’m no expert, that the C-Ville Weekly may lean slightly Left?
I don’t know my left from my right so I can’t play this game.
moderated reply!!!!
Sillyputty that was a clanging good opening comment. Come over here and let me squeeze you into all sorts of funny shapes.
Calls are recorded, not live, and generally take about 10-15 minutes.
Yah, but will it save me up to 15% on a naked, talking lizard? I didn’t think so.
floozy you forgot using SP for making fun backwood comics by pressing him on the Sunday funnies
Duh! Backward
@8 You’d think you of all people would get that word correct, considering your screen name. hahahaha