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gulliver

(13,180 posts)
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:39 PM Dec 2021

Bullying the dog. Are the media attacks on Biden a form of displacement?

Is the media being balanced when it hounds and criticizes Biden or is it just placating its abusers, the Republicans and Trump?

Throughout four years of Trump, the legitimate media were bullied. They were called "enemies of the people." They were called "fake news." They were subjected to vicious threats from the Republican "jackal peanut gallery."

There's a psychological concept called "displacement." A guy's boss yells at him at work. Since he's afraid of his boss, he goes home and bullies the dog. Is that why the media are so "tough" on Biden? Objectively, Biden has accomplished a lot of good, so it makes little sense to me that he has been the subject of such relentlessly negative coverage. It makes little sense, unless it's really a way for the media to be fearful and cowardly while appearing (to themselves even) balanced and tough.

The media know that Biden and the rest on our side will treat them with respect. They know Trump and the Republicans will give them more threats and grief. So maybe they pick on the side they feel (in their fear) they can get away with picking on?

Just a theory.

One edit: Changed the classic metaphor a bit to make it more sensitive

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paleotn

(17,917 posts)
3. Trying desperately to dispel the label, liberal media.
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:49 PM
Dec 2021

But like most things outside of their bubble, US media types just don't get it. Fascists will call them liberal no matter what they do, write or say. It's the whole idea of an ostensibly free media that chafes fascist sentiments. The fascists would rather have something like RIA Novosti or TASS.

tenderfoot

(8,434 posts)
5. The media is owned by wealthy white men that will stop at nothing to ensure things never change
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:53 PM
Dec 2021

for the better.

CrispyQ

(36,469 posts)
6. The media is only as liberal as the conservative corporations that own it. bumper sticker.
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:54 PM
Dec 2021

They're in it for the ratings, not the country. Most of them would be happy if Trump ran again. It's like they think if we go full on authoritarian, it will be business as usual. But this is the problem when shareholders have all the say. You only think one quarter ahead.

leftstreet

(36,108 posts)
7. The media's no longer helping to get rid of Trump
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:56 PM
Dec 2021

It was the same when they were helping to get rid of Bush

They are floating aimlessly in a sea of low revenues right now

gulliver

(13,180 posts)
9. It's the classic metaphor
Fri Dec 31, 2021, 03:14 PM
Dec 2021

But I changed it, despite misgivings about the importance to me of semantic continuity. Lmk if it doesn't work better for you

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