Corporate Media: Don’t Worry, Be Fracking
A new study shows that gas leaks from fracking wells are responsible for water contamination. But some media outlets were keen to send the message that fracking isn’t causing these problems.
And Now, a Word From Henry Kissinger…
Henry Kissinger is making the rounds again–mostly reminding us that elite media love to fawn over Henry Kissinger.
New NPR Boss: ‘We’re Going to Be Talking About Brands That Matter a Little Bit More’
The new boss at NPR says you should expect to hear more corporate advertising– no wait, that’s not it. You’ll hear more about “brands that matter.”
FAIR TV, September 8, 2014: USA Today Poll Distortion, Chris Christie’s ‘Gaffe’
Are corporate media banging the war drums in 2014 just like they did in 2003? USA Today promotes a poll that they say shows the public wants a more ‘muscular’ foreign policy. But is that really the message the public is sending? Plus the New York Times remembers a Chris Christie foreign policy ‘gaffe’– saying something accurate about the occupation of the West Bank.
Does the Public Want More War?
USA Today’s August 29 edition boasted the front-page headline “More Want US to Flex Muscle.” The evidence comes from a new Pew poll, so it’s worth noting how that data is transformed into a desire for US “muscle-flexing.”
USA Today Changes Its Mind About Ferguson Police
USA Today’s original headline: “Police Seek Order as Ferguson Furor Builds.”
Ferguson Case Poses Test for Corporate Media
The surprise has been the extent to which some media seem to be taking the outcry seriously, talking about the militarization of police–brought home by the rough treatment given to reporters–and the criminalization of black people.
Dear USA Today: Civilian Drone Deaths Aren’t ‘Charges’
It is a fact that drone strikes kill civilians– not, as USA Today put it, a “charge.”
FAIR TV: Right-Wing Terrorism, CNN on Israeli Occupation, USA Today’s Walmart Party
This week: Media cover right-wing domestic terrorism–without calling it terrorism. Plus CNN’s left/right discussion of Israeli occupation left a lot to be desired, and USA Today calls Walmart protesters “party poopers.” Watch:
USA Today and Wal-Mart Poop
USA Today calls pro-worker activists protesting Wal-Mart “party poopers.”
Federal Workers Good at Paying Taxes, USA Today Expose Conceals
The front page of USA Today (5/23/14) blew the whistle on federal workers: They are tax deadbeats who owe billions in back taxes. The story also revealed that they owe less than most people.
Confused?
USA Today Blowing Smoke on Benghazi ‘Smoking Gun’
USA Today’s headline was “GOP Calls New Benghazi E-Mail ‘Smoking Gun.'” What the memo actually proves is that “scandal” is defined as any deviation from the fantasy world jointly created by the Republican Party and its media accomplices.
Has Everyone Without an Honorary Degree From Brandeis Been Censored?
In a USA Today op-ed, Fox News liberal Kirsten Powers weighs in on Brandeis University’s decision to rescind its offer to honor the anti-Muslim activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali during commencement activities.
The Point of Limiting Donations Isn’t to Make Elections Cheaper or Less Irritating
The point of contribution limits isn’t to make elections cheaper; it’s to limit the ability of the very wealthy to dominate politics.
‘Troop Buildup on the Border’–We’ve Heard This Before
Claims about a Russian buildup on Ukraine’s border are being made based on intelligence that very few people have likely seen. NBC correspondent Jim Maceda went to the border area to check out the claims of Russian troop presence and couldn’t turn up much.
FAIR TV: NYT Venezuela Correction, Rich Lowry’s War Lies, Iran’s Unreal Ship
On the show: The New York Times runs an op-ed from a leader of the Venezuelan opposition–but it’s the correction that is most revealing. And right-wing pundit Rich Lowry can’t stand Vladmir Putin’s invasion based on “lies.” But he had a different view of that when he was the one lying about Iraq. Plus the […]
Does Today Show Know Michelle Rhee’s Record?
Michelle Rhee’s history could make her an interesting person to interview for a piece about the overemphasis on standardized testing. But the failure to mention Rhee’s scandal suggests that either the Today show doesn’t know that history–or doesn’t think it matters.
Will Condi Rice Run for President?! (Spoiler Alert: No)
If the question is “Will Condi Rice run for president?” and you know that her on-the-record answer to this is no…. Well, what’s the point of this piece again?
Suspect Ships: Is Everything About Iran Threatening?
The story of an Iranian mockup of an aircraft carrier illustrates the corporate media presumption that, whatever is happening, Iran has “bellicose purposes” in mind.
Hey America: We’re Rich Again!*
When a USA Today headline declares, “We’re $9,800,000,000,000 Richer,” who exactly does the “we” in the headline refer to?
