Why the Left Labels My Articles as "Opinion Pieces" While Swallowing Fake News Narratives

Why the Left Labels My Articles as "Opinion Pieces" While Swallowing Fake News Narratives

By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, former vegan, and former socialist, my path from left-leaning ideologies to embracing conservative values was transformative. In my roles as the former Executive Director of CAIR-Columbus and President of the Muslim Forum of Utah, I was deeply involved with organizations that claimed to advocate for justice and truth. But over time, I noticed a troubling trend in leftist circles: a willingness to label any dissenting viewpoint—particularly conservative perspectives—as mere "opinion pieces," while eagerly consuming and defending the narratives served by the mainstream media.

Let’s face it: the mainstream media is no longer in the business of reporting unbiased facts. Instead, it weaves opinions and ideologies into almost every news story, presenting subjective takes as if they were undeniable truths. The coverage of political, social, and moral issues in America has taken on an increasingly one-sided tone, particularly where conservative views are concerned. For years, I watched the media subtly—and sometimes overtly—dismiss perspectives that clashed with the progressive agenda. Conservative values, patriotism, and traditional morals are routinely portrayed as fringe or extreme, while leftist narratives are depicted as “common sense” or “moral” stances.

The irony of it all is that leftists frequently accuse my articles and viewpoints of being biased "opinion pieces." What they fail to realize is that these so-called opinion pieces are grounded in verifiable facts and personal experience, particularly my experiences with organizations that claim to champion justice and tolerance. My journey from the left to a conservative Christian perspective is a story I share transparently, highlighting how real-life encounters, historical facts, and biblical insights reshaped my worldview. And yet, the left simply slaps the “opinion piece” label on it, refusing to engage with the substance of my arguments.

This tactic of labeling conservative commentary as "opinion" allows mainstream media consumers to avoid confronting uncomfortable facts. For instance, in their coverage of Donald Trump, mainstream networks tend to rely on biased sources, opining on his supposed flaws while dismissing his achievements, which millions of Americans respect and support. CNN, MSNBC, and even social media platforms act as echo chambers, bolstering the idea that conservative opinions are inherently unworthy of serious consideration. The goal is clear: discredit conservative voices by demeaning them as “opinions,” not as perspectives grounded in fact.

Yet, when leftist narratives are presented, they are never framed as opinions. They are labeled as “truth” or “news.” Take, for instance, the recent trend in media coverage on social justice issues. We see coverage designed to promote leftist ideologies on matters like racial and gender identity, painting conservative beliefs as outdated or bigoted. The Washington Post, New York Times, and even NPR are no longer just reporting the news—they’re actively pushing a political agenda. Their slant, however, is cleverly disguised as “reporting,” whereas conservative insights, rooted in faith, tradition, or historical facts, are written off as “personal opinions.”

I have written extensively about my personal journey away from socialism and veganism, along with my experiences within Islamic organizations. These experiences aren’t “opinions” but are fact-based realities that challenged my previous perspectives and led me to a worldview rooted in conservative values and biblical principles. These are real stories that reflect a transformation based on hard truths, not transient opinions. But for those who cannot tolerate dissenting views, acknowledging my story as fact becomes too uncomfortable.

The double standard is plain to see. When leftist outlets take a position, they call it “news.” But when I share my perspectives, backed by both facts and lived experience, they dismiss them as “opinion.” My story is my reality—a reality that leftists want to deny and discredit because it challenges the progressive narrative they’ve been conditioned to accept.

In a world where media bias is rampant, we have to look deeper than the labels slapped onto articles. Truth does not become an “opinion” just because it makes people uncomfortable. My articles will continue to present the facts, regardless of whether leftists choose to dismiss them as mere opinion.

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Citations

1. Gertz, Bill. "The Bias Against Conservative News." The Washington Times, www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/may/4/bias-against-conservative-news.
2. McCarthy, Andrew C. "The Mainstream Media’s War on Conservative America." National Review, www.nationalreview.com/corner/mainstream-media-vs-conservative-america/.
3. Guzman, Joseph. "The Media’s Left-Leaning Agenda." The Hill, thehill.com/news/2023/07/12/media-bias-favors-left-democrats-study-shows/.
4. Crowder, Steven. "Why the Mainstream Media Despises Conservatives." Louder with Crowder, www.louderwithcrowder.com/why-mainstream-media-despises-conservatives/.