Media in S.C., most of U.S. print mostly conservative columnists

So much for the media's supposed liberal bias, both in South Carolina and across much of the country.

A survey of 1,377 U.S. daily newspapers found that 60 percent print more conservative columnists each week than progressive, or liberal, syndicated columnists.

The survey, done by Media Matters for America, a progressive nonprofit based in Washington, found that 20 percent of newspapers run more progressive columnists, while the other 20 percent are balanced.

Sixteen South Carolina papers were included in the survey, and conservative columnists accounted for 64 percent of their number of columns, while progressive columnists made up 21 percent. Centrist columnists, such as David Broder and Thomas Friedman, added up to 16 percent.

Larry Tarleton, publisher of The Post and Courier, said he wasn't surprised at the findings.

"South Carolina has always been a conservative state. You can see that by the voting records."

David Brock, president and chief executive officer of Media Matters, said the survey is unprecedented in its scope, and he was surprised to find that conservative columnists have a greater reach in the West, South and Midwest — everywhere but in the Northeast.

"One of the purposes of this kind of survey is to try to bring the media back to a place where they're really more concerned than they seem to be today about presenting a real balance and diversity of views," he said. "We think that's an obligation no matter where the newspaper is published."

The survey was assembled by telephone calls to more than 1,400 English language newspapers, and about 96 percent responded, said Paul Waldman of Media Matters, author of the report. Each paper was asked which of the nation's 201 syndicated columnists they run at least once a week or once a month.

Brock said many in the media business are responsive to informed criticism.

"If people care that they may not be getting the full story, the full range of views, they ought to do something about it," he said.

Conservative columnist George Will had the highest circulation number: about 21.3 million, appearing in the most newspapers overall at 328. That was well ahead of Broder, the next most circulated columnist of about 15.1 million; 218 papers print his column.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or rbehre@postandcourier.com.

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