Media Bias and the Bookstores

Like me, you probably know people who think the idea of media bias is bogus. Or perhaps you've heard someone suggest this on radio or television. But the only folks who know whether or not it exists are those who've been on the receiving end.

Trust me: It exists.

In fact the problem is so pervasive that it creeps up in areas you wouldn't even consider. For example, did you know your local bookstore is biased? Probably not. Why would you? I had to fight tooth and nail to get Borders to allow me to do a book signing for 7 Myths. They did, after a lot of work on my part. But once the signing was over, you couldn't find my book in their store.

Thank God for Amazon, Book TV, and the rise of conservative publishing houses. Without these outlets, right-of-center folks would have no voice in the book industry.

It's interesting. Obama is quickly learning that average American folks are center or right of center. They are not liberal by today's definition. I suspect the mainstream media, along with the publishing industry, is learning this lesson as well.

Now let's see what they do about it.

3 Responses to “Media Bias and the Bookstores”:

  1. Anonymous says:

    I actually saw three books that definitely were leaning toward the conservative side during my latest trip to Barnes and Noble. They were in plain view right towards the front of the store. I was quite surprised.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Really? Conservatives buy books. Publishers and bookstores want to sell books.
    Look at the NYT list: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/books/bestseller/besthardnonfiction.html?ref=books
    This week 4 of the top 15 are conservative books. Those don't all sell through Amazon. I don't think you can extrapolate from your own experience onto the whole industry. (Is it possible it's the free market at work, and Borders thought they wouldn't make enough money to justify the time and effort?)

  3. It's true that the Glenn Becks and Bill OReillys get ample coverage, yes. I was referring to lesser known authors who don't have their own television shows. There are many of them out there, and they are absolutely discriminated against. Bookstores assume people don't want the information they provide, or the folks behind the scenes are just personally offended.

    My former publisher used to receive scores of letters from bookstores telling them they're fascist and they would never carry their books.