Journalists pride themselves on presenting "both sides" of a story. But if establishment media can decide which positions get to take part in debate, then telling "both sides" may be a way of keeping news consumers on the outside. Coverage of the health care reform debate provides a wealth of examples. Major news outlets go out of their way to avoid mentioning the progressive alternative to the Clinton health care program: a Canadian-style single-payer reform, which would replace private insurance with tax-financed comprehensive universal coverage. Hillary vs. Insurers In November, major media focused on the White House-promoted story of "Hillary [...]
Search Results for: John Canham-Clyne
Nov
01
1993
October Reprisals
Investigators of alleged Iran deal face smears, legal threats
The debate over the "October Surprise" has embroiled some of the country's most prominent journalists--none more deeply then Robert Parry and Steve Emerson. In the latest skirmish, Emerson has threatened to sue Parry--and Parry has produced documents showing that Emerson made false statements in his efforts to discredit Parry's reporting. As previously reported in Extra!, Emerson for nearly two years has vigorously tried to debunk the "October Surprise," the allegation that the 1980 Reagan campaign cut a deal with Iran to keep U.S. hostages until after the election. Following publication of a House Foreign Affairs Committee Task Force report on [...]
