The broadcast news networks—ABC, CBS and NBC—have aired exactly one report on the Dakota Access Pipeline protests since the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe began an encampment against the project in April, according to a search of the Nexis news database. That report, read by Anne-Marie Green, aired on the CBS Morning News at 4 a.m. on September 5. Here it is in its entirety:
National Public Radio reports violence during demonstrations against a proposed oil pipeline in North Dakota. Protestors confronted workers Saturday at a construction site. Police say four private security guards and two guard dogs were hurt. Tribal officials say the construction destroyed an Indian burial ground and cultural sites.
Those 48 words are a one-sided retelling of an NPR report (“Dakota Access Pipeline Protests in North Dakota Turn Violent,” 9/4/16), which in turn gets most of its information, as well as its anti-protester spin, from an AP story, “Oil Pipeline Protest Turns Violent in North Dakota” (9/4/16).
But the report on NPR‘s website also contains video footage from Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! (9/4/16), who—apparently unlike any of her colleagues from network TV—thought the largest mobilization of indigenous activists against environmental degradation was worth reporting on. Goodman’s footage shows the construction project’s security guards wielding pepper spray and deploying attack dogs to provoke and injure demonstrators—violence on the part of the pipeline authorities that got left out of CBS‘s rip-and-read on the protests.
Also missing from what is so far the entirety of broadcast TV news’ coverage of the Dakota Access protest is any mention of the threat the pipeline poses to water resources—the pipeline crosses the Missouri River just half a mile north of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation—or the climate destruction facilitated by pipelines designed to ship fracked oil out to consumers.
But I suppose that if you’re only going to give a story 48 words of coverage, at four o’clock on a single morning, there’s only so much you can say.
Jim Naureckas is the editor of FAIR.org. You can follow him on Twitter at @JNaureckas.
Larry O’Donnell had a long piece, last night, I think.
Black snake white out
When did climate-killing, dirty oil become more important than life-giving, clean water? When CORRUPT CORPORATIONS started calling the shots – even in the era of CLIMATE CHANGE! Now: are our courts clean enough to realize we MUST LEAVE OIL IN THE GROUND? We Shall See…
and VOTE our informed consciences in November! This will NOT STAND.
It is really disappointing to hear that major media outlets chose to completely ignore to cover this important piece of news. The threat this pipeline poses to the surrounding area must be aired nationally to make people aware of this grave situation. Only then we can organize a national level demonstration and force the authorities to take necessary steps.
Once again, another example of how the media, owned by a few rich millionaires are totally influencing our rights to have the whole story and not just a snippet of only what they want us to know. It’s discusting how the media has let the 1% take over their reporting of really important news.
I have given up watching mainstream media–it is virtually worthless and filled with endless commercials. I will watch local news only. All other news I get from the internet.
A little credit ought to be given to the New York Times for its front-page article in today’s (September 9) issue. It continued on p[age A 14 for another two-thirds of a page.
CBS Evening News covered it on September 8.
UPDATE — Over 8 thousand at Standing Rock Sioux protest
FlashPoints Radio
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=241764
EMPIRE CORRUPTION — REVERSE LOGIC
Empire Judge
“The Tribe has not carried its burden to demonstrate
that the Court could prevent damage to important
cultural resources”
Surely reverse justice, for in a fair and just democracy the burden of proof and weight of persuasion is upon the rich and powerful to establish that their actions will in no way harm the people.
But, not so in Empire USA, a high achiever’s paradise, for “certain unalienable rights… life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are of the highest priority, as Empire expansion is the all encompassing goal and must be of the highest priority.
”No one shall enrich themselves upon the misery of another”
Above is the fundamental principle of all law, except in an Empire where everything is competition based, where everyone is guaranteed the freedom to enrich themselves upon the misery of anyone they can out-compete. Which is why our Empire builders, the 51% highest achievers, are the holders of all democratic powers and thereby own all the land and wealth.
The wording in the stories cited is taken directly from a press release put out by the pipeline company immediately after the confrontation. Not one of the reporting media apparently bothered to even pay lip service to balanced reporting.
Those 48 words are a disgrace to the ideals of journalism. It appears NPR has now turned on us as well.
Then they certainly won’t be mentions DynaCorp security, will they?
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/09/14/security-firm-guarding-dakota-pipeline-used-psychological-warfare-tactics-for-bp/