Go to the websites listed below and then answer the questions that follow.

"The list: Journalists who wrote political checks—And their explanations, from 'Yikes!' to 'They're all in somebody's pocket"
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19113455/)
A list of journalists making campaign contributions from 2004 through the first quarter of 2007 that includes the political party of the candidate or cause to which they gave money.

Rhetorica (Andrew R. Cline)
(http://rhetorica.net/bias.htm)
Article setting forth the author's opinion about the nature of claims of media bias and his views of the "structural bias" inherent in the news media.

Determining Objectivity or Bias in the Media (Rensselaer Research Libraries, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
(http://library.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=1386)
Website presenting links to organizations that promote and support unbiased journalism.

1			What party seems to be favored by journalists who gave money to political candidates or causes?
2			Do you agree with Cline's view of claims of media bias? Why or why not?
3			After reading a sample of the sites listed on the Rensselaer site, do you think that conservative and liberal news media "watchdogs" agree on anything about journalism? Could such sites have a role in your own understanding of the news?