Breaking News: Ben Affleck Is a Famous Movie Star
There’s a lot going on in the world. So why did NBC Nightly News devote a four-minute segment to a movie star?
What Chuck Todd Talks About Instead of Talking About Climate
Not talking about the largest climate march in history left Chuck Todd with some time to fill up on NBC’s Meet the Press.
David Gregory—and Other Famous Left-Wingers
The New York Post refers to Meet the Press’s “famously left-leaning former hosts including the ousted David Gregory.” A quick overview of Gregory’s record doesn’t turn up much evidence of leaning to the left–but plenty to the contrary.
‘Debating’ War, Corporate Media Style
Discussions of what the Obama White House should do in Iraq and Syria are dominated by hawks, military officials and former national security insiders.
Chuck Todd’s Theory of Politics
Todd’s critics are upset by the failure of journalism act as a check on government power, and to process-style political journalism that crowds out reporting on issues of actual substance.
USA Today Changes Its Mind About Ferguson Police
USA Today’s original headline: “Police Seek Order as Ferguson Furor Builds.”
When Meet the Press Meets a Palestinian
NBC invites a Palestinian on Meet the Press- but mostly to see if he would condemn Hamas.
FAIR TV: Palestinian Lives, Iran Facts, ABC’s Walmart Promo
This week on the show: Media figures demonstrate their concern for Israeli lives–and their lack of concern for Palestinians. Plus NBC host David Gregory makes a claim about Iran–and an Iranian official is there to challenge him. And ABC‘s Walmart report: Is it journalism or infomercial? Watch:
NYT Rewrites Gaza Headline: Was It Too Accurate?
The New York Times rewrote a headline about Palestinian kids being killed on a beach to remove the fact that they were killed.
Note to David Gregory: The US Is Not the World
NBC’s Meet the Press host makes some misleading claims about Iran–thankfully an Iranian official is there to challenge him. Unfortunately, the show then tapped Jeffrey Goldberg to offer a ‘reality check’ on Iran’s nuclear program.
On US TV, Israel is ‘Striking Back’
Israeli airstrikes in response to the murder of 3 teenagers are framed as retaliation–even though those targeted may very well have had nothing to do with the tragedy.
FAIR TV: Iraq Surge Myths, More TV Hawks, News You Can’t Use
On the show this week: The idea that the surge of US troops is what ‘won’ the Iraq War shouldn’t be treated as if it’s a fact. Plus we look at who NBC tapped for his Iraq/Iran expertise, and media tried to tell us what we need to know about a powerful Republican lawmaker. They failed.
This Sunday, a Different Kind of Iraq War Booster: Bill Clinton
NBC Meet the Press taps Bill Clinton to talk Iraq. But will viewers know that Clinton was also a crucial supporter of the invasion?
Gas Prices ‘Skyrocketing’? You’d Better Duck
You’re not supposed to talk about oil and Iraq–but corporate media can’t stop talking about oil and Iraq.
Netanyahu Can Disinform on Iran Just as Well as Iraq
NBC’s David Gregory says that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “well-briefed” on the US position on Iran’s nuclear program. But that shouldn’t be confused with being knowledgeable.
FAIR TV: War Pundits Time Warp, Framing Iraq, NBC Self-Promotion
It’s 2003 all over again, as Iraq “experts” who promoted the 2003 invasion are back on TV screens offering expert analysis about what to do next. And we take a look at some of the revealing language US reporters are employing to frame Iraq as a place that keeps forcing the US to attack it. […]
The Iraq Surge ‘Worked’ All Over Again
Treating “the US troop surge worked” argument as a fact, as Engel is doing, is very dangerous–since it logically suggests that it is only the presence of US troops that can keep Iraq safe.
‘Drawn Back Into War’ in Iraq
It’s revealing to see how reporters talk about the prospect of the United States military going back to war in Iraq. Indeed, many reporters made it sound like something that was being done *to* the United States:
Debating Iraq in 2014: Wrong All Over Again
The crisis in Iraq has brought war back to the US airwaves. But if you were expecting a more robust discussion about US military action this time around, think again. The rule seems to be that if you were wrong in 2003, you’re still an expert in 2014.
Iraq Is a Place Where Americans Suffered
In the wake of Sunni militants overtaking Mosul, US media still tell the story of the Iraq War as if US suffering is what really matters.
