Beech Tree News Network

Hello. My name is Andy Sullivan and I am a sports addict.  There are many benefits of being a sports addict/fanatic.  Viewers often sit in front of their television or in an arena with your favorite snack and cheer like crazy for your favorite.  I do notice one drawback.  When you’re watching or listening to a game, media bias is painfully prevalent and very noticeable.

Let’s take a few of our favorite, or least favorite, sports announcers.  People who enter into the broadcast business are taught about media bias.  I guess certain people skip that day in broadcasting class.  Dick Vitale has been a Duke apologist for over 20 years.  I wondered if he graduated from Duke and that’s why he’s such a minion for the Devils (Blue Devils, people).  I did some digging and found out that he graduated from Seton Hall.  Another lesser-known (and lesser irritating) Duke fan is Gene Wojciechowski.  Gene actually did graduate from Duke.  He loves the Devils (again, speaking of the team, not in a religious capacity), but isn’t as vociferous as Vitale.

Clark Kellogg, a well-respected staple of CBS college basketball coverage, is a 1996 graduate of Ohio State.  He doesn’t throw it in your face and pick the Buckeyes to go all the way every year like a certain other CBS sportscaster.  Seth Davis graduated from Duke in 1992(the Year of Darkness).  Seth is a very knowledgeable college basketball theologian, don’t get me wrong.  However, guess who Seth picks to go far (if not all the way) every year and is so shocked when they eventually falter? Duke.

I understand pride in your school.  Mid-Continent University, where I went to school, is in the TranSouth Quarterfinal against Lyon College.  I also understand that response to that last sentence was probably: What? Where? What conference? However, I’m not going to get on their broadcast and cheer for the Cougars.  Although they’d never admit it, that’s pretty much what Vitale and Davis does, Vitale more so than Davis. 

As far as bias is concerned, it’s all over the place.  When you’re a professional and you’re biased, it’s especially bad.  I noticed several years ago, while watching ABC’s political coverage, that they were disgustingly biased towards the left.  I call it the DNN (Democratic News Network).  I’m not getting into political specifics, as this column would be a lot longer than usual! I’m sure you can all pick out a situation, political convention or whatever, that would fit perfectly as an example.

The bottom line is this: If you’re being hired as a sports, news or political commentator, do your job.  I understand wanting to put a personal twist to it, but please don’t go all Dick Vitale on everybody.

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Hello, my name is Andy Sullivan. I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in May 2009. I began writing for Beech Tree News in July 2009.  I enjoy playing guitar, the occasional Wii game, writing, and listening to music. I write a sports blog that can be found at http://andy-sportshorts.blogspot.com.  If you have a comment, feel free to leave it in the space below.