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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

To liberal media outlets, Warren Hern, one of the few late-term abortion providers in the country, has been worthy of praise as a doctor who boldly stands up for his beliefs in the face of intimidation – a lonely humanitarian braving violent death for the sake of his patients.

That’s the picture painted by TV and other media. What’s missing from the portrait is Hern’s belief that humans are “malignant ecotumors,” his refusal to be called an abortionist, and his strident denunciations of the pro-life movement. (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

Alessandra Stanley’s New York Times review of the “Mad Men” season premiere carried the headline, “‘Mad Men’ Strains to Stay as Button-Down as Ever.”

A reader and viewer of “Mad Men” has to wonder, did she watch the same episode that aired Sunday night? (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

America’s culture is desperately in need of a revamp when Perez Hilton is considered a “tastemaker.”

Hilton, best known for his vicious celebrity gossip Web site, was labeled a “tastemaker and troublemaker” in an August 7 article in the Los Angeles Times. (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

Want to be a role model to the kids of a major American city? All you need, at least in Chicago, is a high school diploma and a dirty song on the charts.

Just at look at the celebrity Chicago public school officials chose to help with the system’s back-to-school campaign – 21-year-old R&B singer Jeremih, whose song “Birthday Sex” hit number 4 on the charts this summer. (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

Viewers would never know there are two side to the gays in the military debate.

It’s been a long time since MSNBC could pretend to be anything but a shill for liberal politicians, policies and causes. Any remaining doubts about that can be dispelled by surveying the network’s recent coverage of the controversy over gays in the military. (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic]

‘The Hurt Locker’ allows audiences to draw their own conclusion about Iraq while remaining pro-soldier.

Hollywood has done the unthinkable. It’s produced a movie set during the Iraq war that doesn’t preach liberal politics or portray American troops as deranged killers. (more…)

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by Collen Raezler [media critic] and Dan Gainor [media critic]

To ABC, CBS and NBC, patriotic holidays are for barbecues, picnics and fireworks, something to cook or decorate the house for, not for reflection on the blessings of freedom, security and prosperity we Americans enjoy.

The word “patriotism” conjures images of Old Glory, the Liberty Bell, soldiers landing on the beaches at Normandy and the Founding Fathers – at least in the hearts of most Americans. But on the broadcast networks, “patriotism” has become little more than a marketing term. ABC, CBS and NBC gave more emphasis to the “patriotic” trappings of holidays – like patriotic potato salad and red, white and blue fashion – than either “patriotic” ideals or the men and women who defend them.

Several times each year, Americans are called to celebrate their patriotism. (more…)

by Colleen Raezler [media critic]

[by Collen Raezler and Erin Brown]

Celebrity breakdowns and comebacks, love triangles and teen pregnancy were the most covered entertainment stories.

What does it say about the state of American culture when unmarried mothers, troubled pop stars and celebrity divorces are dubbed the “hottest” stories of the year.

On Dec. 30, USA Today designated Britney Spears this year’s top celebrity after she earned the number one spot on its weekly Celebrity Heat Index 11 times during 2008 – a year in which she suffered a public breakdown, sought psychiatric help on two separate occasions, and still managed to release her new album, Circus. Britney also got the top spot in 2007. (more…)