The most objective and valuable North American television nightly news program that I know of is The NewsHour on PBS. No fluffy infotainment, no hyperbolic language or biased inflection from the journalists; just well researched, balanced reporting on important topics.

The NewsHour often has expert guests to shed perspective on matters. We’ve grown accustomed to panelists sparring with one another on CNN, Fox  and the like, since such tension is highly entertaining. NewsHour guests are almost always refreshingly restrained, thoughtful and, most importantly, respectful of differing opinion.

Last week, though, when The NewsHour brought in Mike Dushane, executive editor of Car & Driver.com, to comment on the Obama administration’s proposed regulations on vehicle fuel standards, I was surprised that Dushane held such a strident and defensive stance against the proposed environmental rules.

Dushane seemed outraged that automobiles might be required to be more efficient and environmentally responsible, as if this were a plot against the auto industry rather than a move to help the planet – not to mention curbing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

What struck me was that a journalist would take such a firm stance on any side of an issue, in this instance vehemently lobbying against environmental change. He seemed to represent old-fashioned automakers that still want to sell fuel-inefficient SUVs.

Dushane said, “The reality is that that technology means vehicles will be smaller; they will be less powerful; they will be less safe; and they will be thousands of dollars more expensive for people living in those states where these rules may be adopted.”

So what? Why should Car & Driver care? I took from his comments that Car & Driver is not on the side of the environment and thinks that the only cars worth driving are big and cheap.

Some thought Dushane was “impressive,” but, as a spokesperson for Car & Driver, why should he care about the size of cars, how much they cost, or what people drive and car companies make? Shouldn’t the magazine simply report on cars, whatever they may be?

His bluster was entertaining, but his bias seemed at odds with objective journalism, not to mention the balanced and respectful characteristics of The NewsHour.