CNBC’S Harwood: ‘Left-of Center Bias’ is Real

John Harwood, CNBC's chief Washington Correspondent, admitted this morning "that people who talk about bias in the mainstream press, left of center bias, are not imagining things."  He went on to explain, "It has to do with the kind of people who go into journalism, okay? So I'm not arguing with that general notion.  I think that those of us in journalism have to do our best to try to present the most objective view we can of what we have, but everybody brings their own filter into it."

Harwood's admission of liberal bias in the media came out during a discussion about the Republican Convention with "Squawk Box" host Joe Kernan at about 6:14am EDT on Wednesday.  Kernan pointed out a bit of bias he observed in CNN's coverage of the convention last night when Wolf Blitzer stated "We want you to see, to get a feeling for what it's like to be here whether you agree with what they're saying or not."  Kernan pointed out that Blitzer did not say that during the Democratic Convention last week.  

Harwood defended Blitzer and CNN, saying "With respect to Wolf and CNN, I think some of that is simply analyzing the audience demographics.  If you look at some of the surveys they show that a majority of people who watch CNN are Democrats. And so to that extent, he's talking to the audience"

This isn't the first time Harwood has admitted that the mainstream media is biased to the left.  In April 2005 Harwood said during an appearance on "Inside Washington" that ""I believe it is true that a significant chunk of the press believes that Democrats are incompetent but good-hearted, and Republicans are very efficient but evil." 

The relevant transcript of the segment is below:

JOE KERNAN: They'll try to put that to rest.  I was watching CNN.  CNN's been pretty interesting.  Wolf asked the question last night and I noticed something, John, Did you notice that Blitzer an anagram of Blitzer is Libzter? Did you ever notice that?

JOHN HARWOOD, Chief Washington correspondent: No.

KERNAN: If you take Blitzer, you can make it "Libzter." Right? Anyway, last night, I've never heard him say this-

HARWOOD: Hey Becky, what can you make an anagram out of Kernan?

KERNAN: Nenrak. Nenrak. No, but last night I heard Wolf and I just watch him, just to get a kick out of the way he approaches a lot of things.  We want you to see, to get a feeling for what it's like to be here, whether you agree with what they're saying or not.  Now he never said that a single time at the DNC.  He can't help himself. The mainstream coverage you, I'm just saying you, necessarily you John, but you can't help yourself, the way you view these things. 

HARWOOD: Well, some of - I get what you're saying, and look, I think that people who talk about bias in the mainstream press, left of center bias, are not imagining things. 

KERNAN: No. 

HARWOOD: It has to do with the kind of people who go into journalism, okay? So I'm not arguing with that general notion.  I think those of us in journalism have to do our best to try to present the most objective view we can of what we have -

KERNAN: I agree.

HARWOOD: But everybody brings their own filter into it.

KERNAN: Not me.

HARWOOD: With respect to Wolf and CNN, I think some of that is simply analyzing the audience demographics.  If you look at some of the surveys they show that a majority of people who watch CNN are Democrats. And so to that extent, he's talking to the audience-- 

KERNAN: Exactly.

HARWOOD: -- and saying, you know, whether you agree with it or not.