If you’re tuning in to Sunday’s lineup of network TV news shows, remember this interesting fact: Democrats received 88 percent of 2008 political contributions from ABC, CBS and NBC executives, writers and reporters. Their donations to Democrats totaled more than $1 million.
The Washington Examiner’s Mark Tapscott has the scoop. Working with the Center for Responsive Politics — proprietor of OpenSecrets.org — Tapscott discovered the overwhelming imbalance. Here’s a breakdown of the data by party affiliation:
- The Democratic total of $1,020,816 was given by 1,160 employees of the three major broadcast television networks, with an average contribution of $880.
- By contrast, only 193 of the employees contributed to Republican candidates and campaign committees, for a total of $142,863. The average Republican contribution was $744.
Why is this relevant
Not only does it once again demonstrate the liberal bias of newsrooms, but it also serves as a strong counter to the recent attacks on Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., which gave $1 million to the Republican Governors Association.
The large gap between Democrats and Republicans during the 2008 cycle could be attributed to journalists’ love affair with then-candidate Barack Obama. Nearly half of the money donated to Democrats by the network TV employees filled Obama’s campaign coffers:
- President Obama received 710 such contributions worth a total of $461,898, for an average contribution of $651 from the network employees. Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain received only 39 contributions totaling $26,926, for an average donation of $709.
Tapscott notes that it wasn’t just high-powered executives writing big checks. ABC News reporters Sarah Amos, Clarissa Ward and Kristina Wong all gave money to Democrats.
The Center for Responsive Politics compiled the data based on information provided by donors. Those who listed their employer — in this case, ABC, CBS or NBC — were included, meaning the numbers are probably low. Some network TV employees may have chosen not to list their employer.