I’ve argued often that the preponderance of media bias is against liberals, not for them. It’s just that the right has been much more effective in raising that old canard to keep the mainstream press on the defensive, ever eager to bend over backwards to prove they are not liberal elitists.
But here’s a case of bias that sullies all journalism. Apparently, small town newspapers are upset with Wal-Mart for not using them for advertising. So their association writes an open letter to Wal-Mart that, in effect, tells the big-box retailer: if you want us to cover stories about you, you better advertise with us. That may not be the intent, but that sure is a valid interpretation, and one that debunks that old saw newspapers want to perpetuate that there is a “Chinese wall” between advertising and news.