Performing balanced discussion can substitute for actual critical analysis

Evidence

On the one hand, the network could accurately claim to have responded to Saudi unhappiness by sensitively airing a discussion of issues; on the other hand, PBS controlled the discussion by making certain that a “balance” of views, disparate and not very well articulated by relatively unknown “representative” individuals, would blunt any intense or protracted analysis. The appearance alone of a discussion served as a substitute for careful analysis. — Edward W. Said, Covering Islam, 214

Categorization

• XREF: ‘Balance’ as theater connects to the media-manufacturing-consent literature (Chomsky/Herman) and to criticisms of he-said/she-said journalism.