Drew Westen: Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts

(We need to move past the simple dualistic politics used to dismiss any true analysis of important issues...)

Media Often Fails to Distinguish Opinions from Facts
by Drew Westen
NPR

Commentator Drew Westen studies the way that psychology and politics intersect, and he says the format of cable TV news — throwing out a topic to two representatives of opposite sides — capitalizes on a design flaw in the human brain.

To Listen to the Episode

Bill Moyers Journal: Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart
Bill Moyers Journal

Why do so many get their news and analysis from his fake news show?

The NEW YORK TIMES declared that when Jon Stewart took over as anchor of Comedy Central's THE DAILY SHOW, he "breathed new life into a show that hadn't even seemed to need it." In 2003, Stewart said of his role hosting the show, "Liberal and conservative have lost their meaning in America. I represent the distracted center." As declared on the show's site, "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART is the most important television show ever, with the most important guests, hosts, and news - current event news, pop culture news, sports news, entertainment news - of all time."

For the past eight years, Stewart and "The Daily Show" have received 18 Emmy Award nominations and won nine. Jon himself was nominated for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program in 2002, 2003, 2005 and again last year in 2006. In 2004, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" was also honored by the Television Critics Association by winning for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information, beating out traditional news shows in the category. In 2003 and 2005, Jon won for Individual Achievement in Comedy and the show won in 2003 for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy. In 2001, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" also received the prestigious Peabody Award for its "Indecision 2000" campaign coverage and again in 2005 for "Indecision 2004."

To Watch the Episode