New York Times Lauds Fascism, October 28, 1934

Alan: I am reminded of the mainstream media's quest for "fairness and balance."

"Fairness and balance" works (or, more accurately, fails to work) by providing contrarian views on every conceivable topic, even when contrarian views are manifestly absurd and only subscribed by cranks and lunatics.

A commonplace reductio ad absurdum jokes that "fairness and balance" perceives an obligation to represent "a flat earth" as "just another view."

But real damage is done by giving cranks and lunatics an equal voice in public forums.

Consider "The Best Global Warming Debate You'll Ever See."

"John Oliver's Viral Video Is The Best Global Warming Debate You'll Ever See"

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-guardian-john-olivers-viral-video.html