Bias is not always intentional, but when it comes to the media, Hollywood and universities, it’s systematic.
In his new book Fault Line, Faithwire senior editor Billy Hallowell examines this triangle of liberal influence and its pervasive impact on American culture today. But he also points out a hard truth—conservatives and Christians are partly to blame for our nation’s “seismic shift” leftward.
In an exclusive interview with MRC Culture, Hallowell explained what he sees as a Christian retreat from the sphere of influence. “Unfortunately, far too many of us are absent… we need to change that, especially if we're going to sit around and complain about the dire state of affairs.”
“While it's true that liberal, anti-Christian and secular forces have made it tough for Christians and conservatives alike,” he continued, “retreating has only exacerbated the problem and sped up the bias conundrum.”
And bias, especially the unintentional kind, is pervasive. Using an example from the media world, Hallowell showed just how subtly dangerous it can be.
“Polls have routinely shown us that journalists are, by far, not as in-tune with faith as the rest of the population is,” he explained. “Furthermore, many tend to come from big cities — at least on the national level — and might not realize that their supposedly middle-of-the-road worldview is anything but, well, middle-of-the-road.”
Journalists’ sad lack of awareness of the issues facing Middle America was partially responsible for Donald Trump’s presidential victory.
“As for whether [journalists] learned their lesson, perhaps some have,” Hallowell added, “but what we've seen since the election has been Trump elevating his anti-media rhetoric and the press responding by digging in their heels.”
Despite this, the media still claim to be purveyors of truth, and universities, bastions of broad learning. So why do both institutions represent such a narrow worldview?
Hallowell weighed in. “The biggest irony of our age is that colleges — the places where all relevant perspectives should be permitted — are among some of the most restrictive localities when it comes to conservatism and Christian values.” This, the author believes, has “deprived Millennials and Americans more broadly of true [ideological] choice.”
Ultimately, Hallowell expects his book to educate and activate. After understanding the deep imprint that liberal influence has made in our culture, readers, he hopes, will seek to re-engage the culture for good. Although the media, Hollywood and universities have made a profound impact on society, conservatives and Christians have the power to turn the tide.
