Welcome to a new daily VIP feature here at Townhall, where we will be focusing coverage on the practice of journalism in the nation. While not a shock to many that the press operates as an industry with a pre-determined narrative in mind, what is revealing is how many different ways they perform this goal and how widespread the practice. With "Riffed from the Headlines," we will bring accountability to the mishaps, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in the mainstream media. This will be a daily post with updates added throughout each day, so check back frequently to see the latest efforts as we delve into the realm of ethical contortions found in the press.
05.18.21 (Update)
Both Kinds Of Standards – MSNBC/"MORNING JOE"
- Mika lectures on the science she is defying.
It is rare when the crew from "Morning Joe" gives us such meaty content – it barely happens every day. This morning they were discussing the new altered mask mandates from the CDC, and Joe Scarborough began by talking about the new guidelines from the CDC and how important it was to follow their scientific dictates. Then in turning to his beau, Brzezinski, Joe mentioned the need to move forward for the sake of our mental health.
Mika responded by contradicting Joe on both points. She displayed her own mental fears, and by extension vaccine conspiracy thinking, by saying that even though she is fully vaccinated she will continue to wear a mask at times – and then proceeded to invoke the need to follow the science on the matter. Suffice to say anyone getting their health advice from "Morning Joe" runs severe risk for harm on many levels.
Body-Checking the Fact-Checkers – POLITIFACT
The conceit with fact-checking is that they are supposed to cut through the fog and make way for clear insight on matters. As they have proven over time, they instead frequently contradict this mission statement by instead churning up the murky waters. Case in point, after the supremely disappointing job numbers, the press is still struggling to explain it all away. Enter PolitiFact.
The fact-clarifying outlet tried desperately to insist there is no firm data to suggest extended benefits from the government led to lower jobs being filled. It then proceeded to trip over the data...repeatedly.
- There’s no clear evidence that more generous unemployment benefits are deterring people from taking jobs, but past research suggests they might take more time in their job search.
- Michael Strain at the American Enterprise Institute said rising wages bolster the idea that employers are doing more to attract workers.
- Strain said that roughly half of American workers have a higher income from unemployment benefits than they would from working.
- "The higher benefits are, the longer people stay unemployed," Strain said. Studies do find that sort of effect.
- A 2013 study by economists at Princeton University and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that that extension increased workers’ time on unemployment by 7%.
- When the government added $600 to weekly unemployment checks last summer, the number of people searching for work dropped.
- Says another economist: The added federal benefit would likely lead some people to take their time in taking a new job. A generous unemployment check might slow down reentry.
All of which leads PolitiFact to declare – “It isn’t clear unemployment checks are the main reason jobs go unfilled.” That is the assessment of the outlet that is charged with making things clear. Their job seems easy, almost makes one wonder if they are hiring?
Both Kinds Of Standards – CNN/"CUOMO PRIMETIME"
- Chris Cuomo questions Dr. Fauci about the dangers of people like himself.
Another top expert, Chris Cuomo, is also having trouble getting his head around the new CDC mask standards. In order to get clarity on the matter, he went to the unclear source on the matter, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Cuomo tries to get to the heart of the potential problem, mentioning people who would possibly be going without a mask even if they are not vaccinated. This is a valid concern, such as those who might be infected and break quarantine and have direct public interaction with others risking the spread of the contagion. You know, like Cuomo.
"How would you ever know if the person is vaccinated? ...Will all the unvaccinated just ditch their masks now? Because no one will be able to tell the difference."
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) May 15, 2021
- @ChrisCuomo shares his concerns as the CDC announces fully vaccinated people need not wear a mask in most cases pic.twitter.com/oJsaPWJjYR
Artisanal-Crafted Narratives – (NUMEROUS OUTLETS)
- When the data proves your obsession
Tom Bevin of RealClearPolitics delivered a thread where he laid out the hyper-focused attention the press has been paying to the Liz Cheney drama in the House. As most Republicans had moved on from the moment the vote had been cast last Wednesday, the press pretended this was the meltdown of the ages for the GOP. As proof, Bevin found on the Sunday news shows the amount of time dedicated to the triviality, over the more pressing issues of the week such as the gas crisis, the immigration crisis, the Middle East crisis, etc. Here is how much content was dedicated.
- "Meet The Press": Cheney 43.5%, CDC 24.6%, Biden Crisis 12.3%, Mid East 5.3%
- "This Week With Martha Radditz": Cheney 43%, CDC 2.9%, Biden Crisis 12.3%, Mid East 14.1%
- Chris Wallace: Cheney 31.4%
- "Fox News Sunday": Interview with Cheney, panel discussion
Evolving Storylines – CNN
- S.E. Cupp complains about the Andrew Cuomo monster she, and her network created.
Look, we understand the dismay many feel that Andrew Cuomo received $5 million for the book he “wrote” about being a leader during the pandemic. In fact, many felt it last year, all while CNN was hosting the man’s comedy routines with his brother as New Yorkers were dying due to his policies. With sales at around 50,000 units, the publisher has fallen woefully short, and S.E. Cupp is disgusted by it all, describing the result as “Galling.” Of course, she has little to say in the way of criticism for those at CNN who helped push the man’s public image at the time.
You know, like S.E. Cupp, for example.
Me after Cuomo presser vs Me after Trump presser: pic.twitter.com/yNjlPeZ94G
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) March 23, 2020
05.18.21 (Original)
Evolving Narratives – (Various Media)
- The irresponsible practice of dismissing claimed "Conspiracies" is on full display.
It was just over a year ago when the concept of the Wuhan virus originating in wild animal food markets became the accepted "science." We were led to believe that the pandemic was sparked when the virus jumped from bats sold in an exotic marketplace in Wuhan, China. Or was it from pangolins? It was then that the fog of the pandemic began. If that marketplace was the Hot Zone, then Wuhan was the appropriate naming of the viral outbreak, as was customary with most other contagions (the Ebola virus draws its name from a nearby river where it first was discovered, for example).
But then the Chinese government took umbrage and declared it unfair, and possibly even racist, to name the outbreak after its location. Why would a government fight so hard against regional recognition of an accidental transmission, was the first question? Our compliant media complex played right along with the Chi-Coms, and bonus – it gave them the chance to call President Trump a racist! But lost in all of the melodrama was the science, even as these same smoke-spreaders were invoking science.
At that same time, anyone exploring the idea that the viral outbreak may have originated in a nearby lab was dubbed a conspiracy nut, and they were roundly dismissed. The Washington Post fact-checked this, with a glaring quote from Trump, before waving it off as originating in nature. An entire year has elapsed, with hundreds of thousands of viral victims in the US and more than three million globally, and now the media is all energized over the possibility that the outbreak could possibly have been lab-borne.
Who can say how much lead research was squandered by not looking into this source earlier? How much progress was stalled while those who lectured against politicizing the pandemic were also writing off anyone, including the president, who pointed at a viral lab as a potential launchpad? Those condescending outlets are today now exploring how likely it is that this was a man-made outbreak. Better-late-than-never hardly applies.
Evolving Narratives – (VARIOUS MEDIA)
On the topic of changing attitudes in reporting, the press has been remarkably uncritical in recent weeks as the CDC has been glaring in its inconsistent messaging, arriving suddenly with newly released standards on mandated mask wearing. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky turned heads when she recently gave the new official stance on masks in public, saying vaccinated people will no longer need them.
This means that the incurious press has been adhering to the words of this agency as gospel and that in the span of days, we have gone from needing to constantly wear masks because the science says it is required to now the science says you can remove them. Questioning the contradictions in this period, of course, means you hate science, as the sudden turnaround is explained away with a glib escape clause – The science has evolved. What has not evolved is the impression of those who previously questioned the standard; you still hate science, had you done such.
While we get that science is an ever-growing base of empirical data collection, this proclamation brings some negatives as well. We are unlikely to be rid of the recidivist contradictory expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, as he can now explain away all his paradoxical comments with this "evolving" disclaimer.
Blue-anon – PBS NEWS
During the White Press briefing yesterday, Yamiche Alcindor was grilling Jen Psaki on all of the mask mandates being lowered across the country, stipulating that not only is this a risk, but it is especially threatening to minorities. Alcindor asked about the new CDC guidelines and challenged the White House position, based on comments from the largest national nurses union saying their workers "and especially people of color were at risk." But then Alcindor took her phobia to another level, noting that in stores like Wal-Mart and Target, where they are lowering their mask requirement for vaccinated shoppers, saying it is worrisome that we are operating on an honor system.
A few things are bothersome. For one, the PBS reporter – in questioning the CDC – is disregarding the science. Secondly, how on earth is the concern with shoppers not wearing masks in Wal-Mart somehow a risk to frontline nurses and doctors?! But then, we are listening to the posturing questions on the danger of going maskless from a reporter who was not wearing a mask, so make of that what you will.
Reporting on the mirror – CNN
- The update on the deposed Mid-East freelancer.
Over the weekend, we saw an international CNN reporter, Adeel Raja, become ostracized by the network when he made a jarring comment about Hitler in regard to the Israeli conflict. CNN found themselves not only in need of releasing him from any connection with the network, but they were stammering to explain how he managed to work with them for years while repeatedly making such comments.
Raja, for his part, of course, showed the proper level of contrition – by declaring the whole episode was a violation of his human rights.
Glad a single tweet contributed to the #Palestine cause and brought it to limelight with me loosing my job and the West’s claim of Freedom of expression and human rights! https://t.co/pWnYvZrwsS
— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) May 17, 2021
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – VICE
With Israel coming under fire not only from Palestine but also from the U.S. media complex over its nefarious desire to protect its citizens, the elevated minds at Vice are detailing even more Israeli atrocities: The official government social media account tweeted out rocket emojis!
This action, which will certainly garner the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council and possibly lead to a tribunal at The Hague, was exposed by the outlet, although you could feel their pain in having to detail specifically what was taking place. The series of tweets was displaying for the world the number of rockets fired at them from Palestine.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Israel ????? (@Israel) May 17, 2021
DNC PR Machine – POLITICO
The amount of spin needed to explain that the people who have spent a year keeping schools closed are somehow diligently formulating plans to get kids back to school would dry the uniforms of an entire marching band caught in a flash flood.
