Chris Christie’s Real Problem? Our ‘Feminized’ Culture
On the question of whether or not Christie is a bully, veteran Fox pundit Brit Hume blamed that perception on our “feminized atmosphere.”
FAIR TV: Misremembering Fallujah, CNN Climate ‘Balance,’ Discussing the Left Without the Left
Media are remembering Fallujah–but what are they forgetting? The CNN debate show Crossfire gives viewers false balance on climate change, and ABC’s This Week talks about the “resurgent left”–without much input from the left.
Wait—Chris Christie Might Be a Vindictive Bully?!
Some of the recent coverage of Republican New Jersey governor seems genuinely surprised that the bullying, partisan politician might be… well, bullying and partisan.
New York Turns to the Left? Let’s Ask Our Center-Right Panel
If the question of whether or not there is a resurgent left, shouldn’t there be some left? ABC gave viewers the far-right Bill Kristol and the conservative Ana Navarro, a few middle-of-the-road journalists and a moderate former Democratic governor.
Media Lean Left, Say Journalists Who Don’t Really Say That
When establishment journalists were asked about whether media leaned left, so little in their responses addressed what would seem to be the fundamental question: Does what is actually in the media suggest a liberal bias?
FAIR TV: Problems With Populism, Amazon Drone PR, TV ‘Knockout Game’ Hype
The Washington Post warns Democrats not to veer too far to the left, CBS helps Amazon.com with some drone PR, and we take a look at the media hype about the so-called “knockout game.”
Washington Post: The Problem With Populism
The Washington Post sees “political risks” for the Democratic Party in a revived left agenda–which is hard to figure, since all of the “left” issues it identifies are all broadly popular.
With Filibuster Flip-Flops, George Will Displays His (Groucho) Marxist Tendencies
George Will may be the dean of conservative punditry with a reputation for sober consistency, but when it comes to intellectual honesty and principle–well, a person could get whiplash trying to follow his opportunistic and hypocritical positions over the years. On Thursday’s Special Report on Fox News (1/21/13), George Will was sad that the Democrats […]
The Media’s ‘New American Center’ Is Well to the Left of the Media
Media don’t tend to define The Center as “Things Most People Support,” because letting people know that most Americans support raising taxes on the wealthy, cutting military spending or providing single-payer healthcare would make the elite political debate seem like it’s well to the right of the public.
Should Poor People Eat? Let’s Hear From Both Sides!
OK, so maybe this headline is slightly unfair, but it seemed like a good way to capture the essence of a USA Today story (9/18/13) about the fight over food stamps. As you may already know, House Republicans are looking to cut some $40 billion from the SNAP program, otherwise known as food stamps, over […]
NPR’s New Boss: Financial Industry Lobbyist, GOP Donor, Right-Wing Think Tank Booster
On September 13, NPR named a new acting president and CEO: board member Paul G. Haaga. The NPR press release states that Haaga’s “accomplished career” included a stint as “chairman of the Investment Company Institute”–the powerful lobbying group of the mutual fund industry.
Covering Weiner
“We shouldn’t even be wasting our time talking about Anthony Weiner,” the pundits say– and then they continue to talk about him anyway.
New York Times: What’s in the ‘Center’?
“Some Democrats Look to Push Party Away From Center,” read the headline at the New York Times. But the “center” doesn’t actually mean what one might think it means–especially in the context of the political views of the American public.
Maddow Tells the Story of ALEC and Gun Laws—But Leaves Out One Character
Rachel Maddow asks why corporations would want to be associated with the promotion of Stand Your Ground gun laws–but fails to mention that her employer is one company that doesn’t seem embarrassed by the connection.
FAIR TV: Gregory vs. Greenwald, Snowden Anonymity, Time’s Bush Nostalgia
What are David Gregory and Andrew Ross Sorkin really trying to say about Glenn Greenwald? Unnamed government officials are telling media outlets that Edward Snowden’s NSA whistleblowing is helping terrorists. Plus, Time’s Jon Meacham has some odd nostalgia for the Bush years.
On Sunday Shows, NYT Mostly Misses the Point
The remarkable thing about the Sunday shows is not that they have the same guests over and over–it’s that they have the same Republican and conservative guests over and over.
How ‘Unlikely’ Is Mark Sanford’s Comeback Really?
The journalists amazed by Mark Sanford’s comeback make the mistake of assuming that since the GOP spends so much time preaching “family values” and “social conservatism,” Republican pols who violate these preachments must pay a greater price than less moralistic Democrats.
George Will & Theoretical Liberal Media Bias
George Will offers imaginary headline to prove his point about liberal media bias. Real headlines, unfortunately, don’t back up his case.
Journalists Say Obama Still Too Mean to Republicans
Since the consensus seems to be that Obama’s inaugural address was actually a statement of a bold, progressive vision for his second term, it’s not a surprise that some in the corporate media are upset. Obama’s words were seen as particularly injurious to Republicans, who presumably already feel bad enough as it is.
NYT Waves Goodbye to Three Amigos of Militarism
Not every politician gets a warm and fuzzy retirement profile in the New York Times. But not every politician is Joe Lieberman.
