Re: "balance" in media:

What the right-wing business lobby has learned is that all it needs to do to manipulate the traditional media's concern for balance is to make a lot of noise and spread some money around. If they pay some marginal scientists to say that there is no good evidence for global warming, even if there are only a couple of them saying it the traditional media feels it's necessary to represent their position as strongly as the other position. So if 90% of reputable say one thing, and 10% say the other, both are given equal treatment; this to them is "balance."

In the meantime, the right has also acquired wholly-owned media subsidiaries like Fox News. That way, the right-wing echo chamber can make noise, and force the traditional media to report on the existence of that noise as part of a "balanced" picture of any issue.

The result: 3/4 of the opinions expressed in the media serve a business-conservative agenda. Many of those are in places where they are not challenged at all, as on Fox. The others effectively rebut any liberal opinion expressed. It's quite a racket!

If you really want balance, read the Wall Street Journal AND Salon. Watch Michael Moore AND the conservative responses which are on their way (including a film called, I shit you not, Michael Moore Hates America), and do the homework to figure out who is telling the truth. Otherwise, you won't get balance.