http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Rather#Claims_of_bias
Claims of bias
Rather has been described as having a liberal bias for much of his career.[43][44] Media Research Center, a conservative organization which claims to identify liberal bias in the media, has a file devoted to what they say are examples of Rather's bias.[45] The pun "rather biased" has become a catchphrase used frequently by those who believe he is.[46] In 1985, Senator Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina and leading spokesman of the group Fairness in Media (FIM), sent out a letter to members urging them to buy twenty shares each of CBS common stock in an attempt to curb Rather's and CBS's alleged liberal bias. CBS fought back with the help of investment banking house, and several law and public relations firms.[47]
Rather was criticized for speaking as part of a Democratic Party fundraiser in Texas in 2001. Rather said afterwards that he did not realize it was a fundraiser for the party.[48]
Rather's on-screen comments and election night reporting have specifically come under attack as well, dating back to Richard Nixon's presidency. In a June 2002 interview with Larry King, his long-time co-worker (and self-described liberal) Andy Rooney stated that Rather is "transparently liberal".[49]
Critics claim Rather has a double standard on how and which news stories to report, the Killian documents being the most famous example of this.[50][51] During the weeks following the Killian documents, Rather received widespread criticism from other journalists and historians[52] for his approach on reporting and confirmation of the documents' authenticity, as well as his continued insistence of standing by them. They also claim many of his interviews of public officials reflect a liberal bias, either being overly harsh (when interviewing a conservative) or "soft-ball" (when interviewing a liberal).[53] In an interview with commentator Bill Maher, Rather accused Fox News Channel of receiving "talking points" from the Republican controlled White House. Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, who had defended Rather during the Memogate incident, criticized Rather heavily for not offering any evidence to support the claim:
As you may remember, I defended Rather in the Bush National Guard debacle. I said Rather did not intentionally put on a bogus story. He just didn't check it out, he was too anxious for the story to be true. He thought the story to be untrue but his liberal views stood out.
Now many of you criticized me for that defense, but I'm a fact-based guy. And there's no evidence Dan Rather fabricated anything. It was sloppy reporting that did him in.
But now the fabrication word is in play again. If Dan Rather has evidence of White House dictums coming to FOX News employees, he needs to display that evidence. We are awaiting his appearance. We'll let you know when it is.[54]
In 2002, Bernard Goldberg published a book with the title "Bias," mainly speaking of liberal bias in the news. In the book, Goldberg used Dan Rather as a primary example of a news anchor with a liberal bias. It also criticises the anchor for his criticisms about President George W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle about their military service, when Rather's own service was brought into question.[4]
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting has accused Rather of having "an unwillingness to challenge official power and policy" in his reporting.[55] Investigative reporter Mark Hertsgaard characterized Rather as a "stern anti-Communist" during the Reagan administration for allegedly having "reported the pronouncements of public officials with considerable respect".[56]
