'The Media' vs. 'The Press'

From time to time you may hear something about the 'liberal media,' the 'conservative media' or how 'the media got it wrong/right,' etc.

Who or what is this 'media?'

Simply put, the media is where we get our news, information and entertainment. That includes television, radio, internet, movies, cell phones, newspapers, etc. Anyone who is on the radio, television, blogs, writes editorials or stories for newspapers, stars in a movie, etc., by definition, is in the media.

Does that mean that George Clooney, Brian Williams and Rush Limbaugh are all a part of the same media? Not hardly.

This is confusing because many people think they get their news from the media.

They do and they don't. There is a big difference between the media and the press ('The View' vs. ABC World News Tonight).

When you watch CNN, FOX or Brian Williams (the press), you should expect* that you are getting your news from an organization that is presenting the story/topic in a fair light, exploring all sides of the issue, not just two. Personal opinions or thoughts on the stories should be non-existent. You shouldn't know that a news organization or the reporter feels a certain way about the story.** This is the job of journalists who are a part of 'the press.' (You'll never hear a report that came off the wires from the 'Associated Media.')

When you tune in to Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck or read something from the Huffington Post (all a part of 'the media'), you should expect and know you are going to get those individual's personal take on whatever it is they happen to be talking about. Does that make them less credible? Does that mean that they don't know what they're talking about? YOU have to decide that for yourself.

George Clooney, Rush Limbaugh, Rosie O'Donnell, Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Britney Spears and Neal Boortz are all a part of the media.

They are not all a part of the press.

* Actually, you should DEMAND it, not expect it.
** Unfortunately, it's not always that way