FAIR Study: Sunday Talkshows Downplayed Criticism During Trump’s Second Transition
In 2024, when Trump’s rhetoric and cabinet picks became even more extreme, fewer Sunday show guests voiced criticism of Trump and his cabinet than in 2016.
Deny, Defend, Disinform:
Corporate media coverage of healthcare in the 2024 presidential elections
Corporate media had a hard time finding “big” plans for healthcare because they chose to look for them only in the two major parties’ platforms.
‘We’ve Seen This Incredible Flow of Billionaire Money Into Campaigns’:
CounterSpin interview with David Kass on billionaire election-buying
“That’s the real problem here, is that workers pay taxes every two weeks and billionaires can basically never pay taxes.”
David Kass on Billionaire Election-Buying
The increasing influence of the super rich on the politics and policy we all have to live with is an urgent story, if not a new one.
‘Media Institutions Have Played a Direct Role in Undermining Democracy’:
Transcript of The Best of CounterSpin 2024
“Journalism is absolutely critical for democracy, and we have to remember that moving forward.”
The Best of CounterSpin 2024
This is the time of year when we take a listen back to some of the conversations from the past year that have helped us clarify the events that bombard us.
NYT, WSJ Concur Economists Lost the Election—But Can’t Agree on Why
While the headlines were nearly identical, the ideological differences between the Times and the Journal mean the papers arrived at very different conclusions for the future of economics.
On Sports Gambling, ‘Are We Just Going to Let Companies Write the Rule Book?’
CounterSpin interview with Amos Barshad on legalized sports betting
“The industry makes these promises that they can’t keep. They’re telling you that this will solve your issues, but it’s not true.”
Amos Barshad on Legalized Sports Betting
Legal sports gambling is the apple of the eye of many corporate and private state actors—but how does it affect states, communities, people?
It’s the Economic Reporting, Stupid
On perhaps no other issue has corporate media’s failure to inform been more consequential than on inflation.
‘MAGA Republicans and Corporate Media Share a Strategy: Fear Sells’:
CounterSpin interview with Julie Hollar and Jim Naureckas on placing blame for Trump
“You would expect journalists in a democratic society to take as the central story here that targeting of these minority groups.”
Chris Matthews Garbles It All for You
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews used his post-election appearance on Morning Joe to demonstrate just how unhelpful political commentary can be.
Julie Hollar and Jim Naureckas on Placing Blame for Trump
We talk about what just happened, and corporate media’s role in it, with Julie Hollar, senior analyst at the media watch group FAIR, and FAIR’s editor Jim Naureckas.
Media Blame Left for Trump Victory—Rather Than Their Own Fear-Based Business Model
Coverage of issues in this election season dovetailed well with the Trump campaign’s lines of attack against the Biden/Harris administration.
‘You See Just How Many Immigrants Are Dying on the Job’:
CounterSpin interview with Nicole Foy on immigration and labor
“It’s not very easy to disentangle [immigrants] from the work that we need to do as a country.”
‘The Point Is to Sprinkle a Little Doubt About the Election’:
CounterSpin interview with Shawn Musgrave on voter fraud hoax
“People will…use the filing of the lawsuit itself as its own form of proof, even though the lawsuit itself doesn’t contain proof.”
Bezos’ Declaration of Neutrality Confirms: Billionaires Aren’t on Your Side
While media are focused on how Bezos bent the knee for Trump, it may be President Harris whom Jeff Bezos fears most.
Non-Endorsements Another Sign of Our Billionaire-Dominated Politics
In blocking endorsements expected to go to Trump’s opponent, billionaire owners are using their media power to help a fellow billionaire.
Shawn Musgrave, Orion Danjuma on Vote Fraud Hoax as Voter Suppression
Trump’s “Big Lie” attorneys are not so much returning to the field, but actually never left.
60 Minutes Pushed Harris Right on Econ, Border, While Ignoring Other Vital Issues
Bill Whitaker’s questions frequently started from right-wing talking points and assumptions, particularly over immigration and economic policy.
