This is Townhall's daily VIP feature, where we will focus coverage on the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in the mainstream media.
06.16.21 (Update)
Legalized Press-titution – CNN
- Like a battered spouse, they accept the apology.
If the presidential trip yesterday saw the hubcaps fly off as Biden careened around and fumbled, today the wheels flew off and the vehicle was upside down in a ditch.
Joe Biden must have had a pretty blistering experience when he sat down with Vlad Putin. As he was getting ready to catch a flight, the president was addressed by a gaggle of press when Kaitlan Collins asked a direct question about his handling of the Russian leader. "I'm not confident he'll change his behavior," Biden snapped at Collins, in a rather Trump-like fashion. "Where the hell — what do you do all the time? When did I say I was confident?" Following up Collins asked, "So how does that account to a constructive meeting?" Which led to Biden saying, "If you don't understand that, you're in the wrong business."
Recommended
After, as he was about to board Air Force One, Biden addressed another crowd of reporters, issuing an apology for his previous remarks. On the air, Collins accepted his apology, as did CNN's Political Director David Chalian.
Biden made sure to walk to the press on the tarmac before boarding AF1 to apologize for being such "a wise guy" at the end of his press conference when he was answering @kaitlancollins tough questions.
— David Chalian (@DavidChalian) June 16, 2021
Amusingly, during his apology, an obviously intemperate Biden again lashed out at the media. "Look, to be a good reporter, you've got to be negative. You've got to have a negative view of life, it seems to me," Biden said to the group. "You never ask a positive question."
Legalized Press-titution -- PUNCHBOWL NEWS
- At least he isn't Trump, as he treats the press the same way as Trump.
Following Joe's meltdown at being asked questions not on his script, Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News, saw this display and could not bring himself to utter a critical word.
However, Biden did say something else that caught Sherman's ear, sent a tingle down his leg, and gave him a tremulous feeling throughout his form.
Biden just now to reporters: You’re the brightest people in the country.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 16, 2021
Trump didn’t say that.
Reporting On The Mirror – VARIOUS MEDIA
In what one reporter described as "a dramatic scene" (in the telenovela definition of the word), various international reporters apparently got into a tussle as they jockeyed for optimum position for the meeting between Biden and Putin. Then, as Russian security stepped in and began to get physical, the two leaders looked on and seemed rather amused by the ordeal. Pool reporter Anita Kumar gave the play-by-play of the serious event.
More on the press chaos at the Putin/Biden summit via @anitakumar01 pic.twitter.com/VCeops8vt1
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) June 16, 2021
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – C-SPAN
- No one can say they left no carpet unturned. No, wait – they actually can say that.
This absolutely has to be the media version of looking like you are doing your job when the boss is looking. Before the momentous meeting took place, preparations were underway, and the press was on it!
As the red carpet was being unfurled before their arrival, the press corps covered this activity. Yes – numerous photographers descended on the scene, and reporters were on site to conduct penetrating interviews...of the carpet custodians.
GENEVA:
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) June 16, 2021
Interviewing and photographing the person vacuuming the red carpet.... pic.twitter.com/lY1BD1Rbax
DNC PR Firm – SKY NEWS, Sydney
- When they can recognize it on the other side of the Pacific.
Australian Sky News had an interesting panel segment on the G7 summit, and it had little to do with the summit itself. They instead focused on the American press corps and their behavior on the trip, and there is really not much to say, but watching this is a dose of pure catharsis. All three talking heads take our media complex to task, and it is quite satisfying to watch. Just let this wash over you and bathe in the fact that others are in fact noticing. "It's not really journalism, is it?" sums things up perfectly.
MUST WATCH: Australian news anchors make fun of Joe Biden and the way American "news" media gushes over him. pic.twitter.com/y4xioqCOB4
— djcalligraphy ™ (@DJcalligraphy) June 13, 2021
06.16.21 (Original)
Reporting On The Mirror – CNN
- This may be the worst argument for unions.
The media re-embracing of sexual recidivist Jeffrey Toobin has been an amazing and glorious thing to watch. The industry that loves to denigrate what they perceive as deviant behavior welcomed back the perverted pariah with tremulous open arms, which means going forward, there is an instant MUTE button next time they perk up about the bad actions in others.
Ben Smith of The New York Times had some details about CNN's legal expert.
I asked Jeffrey Toobin if he wished he'd had a union at the New Yorker. "Absolutely."
— Ben Smith (@benyt) June 15, 2021
This is what makes his return so glorious. Journalists who absolutely push for organized labor believe that it helps sell the concept by saying if he had been represented, Jeffrey Toobin would still be at The New Yorker because unions back individuals who commit sexual crimes on professional news conference calls?! Please, do not ever go away, Jeff!
The revealing aspect is that this scoop came about at an incestuous media event, as The Daily Beast reported where The NY Times reporter and CNN fixture were speaking.
Spotted at @brianstelter’s book party: @benyt talking to Jeffrey Toobin..
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) June 15, 2021
DNC PR Firm – WASHINGTON POST
With a landmark overseas trip involving NATO and The G7, Joe Biden is primed to become burnished in the press as ushering in the return of U.S. diplomatic adoration. If only he would let them swoon appropriately!
It is not always easy to gauge the emotional tone in a tweet, like this one from Ashley Parker, WaPo's WH bureau chief – is it bemusement, condemnation, longing...? Parker notes how Biden has not exactly been the most open of leaders on this tour:
"Biden is abroad doing a big push on democracy v autocracy. BUT the U.S. press — a key part of any functioning democracy — has gotten less access than under previous administrations."
Then, just to underscore how big the departure is from his stated goal, the press is resorting to news from a noted undemocratic source. Ashley points out how they are "now forced to resort to updates from...the Turkish government Twitter account." That is just perfect.
There's enough irony here to clear up my anemia. https://t.co/kKIibsCHSh
— Brad Slager - In Trouble More Than Pres. Biden (@MartiniShark) June 15, 2021
Legalized Press-titution – POLITICO
- I recall the mockery over Trump's Diet Coke button, but now carbonated affection is a character trait.
It's now cool once again to swoon over the soda selections of political officials. Politico has this "intriguing whisper percolating inside the West Wing." It turns out power player Ron Klain has a desired go-to drink when he is calling the shots. "I don't drink coffee. I'm still a TAB drinker," so says Biden's "energetic" White House chief of staff.
- "'Let's call it adoration,' said Joe Vela, who worked with Klain in VicePresident Al Gore's office and again when Klain became chief of staff to Joe Biden during the Obama administration. 'You quickly learn that TAB brought him a special joy,' he added."
Alas, the Coke company has all but suspended the making of thee product these days – so what is a CoS to do?! While the general public is surely on edge with anxiety over finding out, Politico gratefully continued digging into the matter.
- "The answer, according to a person familiar with the matter: Klain has switched to Diet Coke."
The man with the most stressful job in America does NOT drink coffee but was admittedly addicted to TAB the diet soda once advertised as "for beautiful people” before it was discontinued. https://t.co/PnKP7qAN0x
— Sam Stein (@samstein) June 9, 2021
News Avoidance Syndrome – ASSOCIATED PRESS
The national outlet that feeds so many news sources has come out with a dramatic announcement. John Daniszewski, the Vice President for Standards at AP, has declared that the news syndicate will begin a new policy – no longer will they print the name of individuals who are merely charged with minor crimes.
- "These minor stories, which only cover an arrest, have long lives on the internet. AP's broad distribution network can make it difficult for the suspects named in such items to later gain employment or just move on in their lives."
This should open the door to some very gripping "Somebody did something" type of coverage.
Pulitzer Prize Nominations (Literally) – PULITZER PRIZE BOARD
Last week, the Pulitzer Prizes were awarded in numerous categories. For consideration in the arena of political cartoons, three people were nominated – Ruben Bolling, Lalo Alcarez, and Marty Two Bulls Jr. There was, however, some big controversy with the result.
Namely, there was no result.
- "For the first time in 48 years, the Pulitzer Prize Board chose not to name a winner in Editorial Cartooning — a decision some are calling an insult to all cartoonists."
This odd occurrence, when they literally announce, No Award Given, is due to the board being unable to come to an agreement.
- "These scenarios happen if a finalist doesn't receive a majority vote among the 18 board members. For each Pulitzer category, a group of judges sift through all the submissions and pick three unranked finalists as well as three alternates. Those six pieces then go to the Pulitzer Prize Board, which discusses the entries. At least 10 board members must vote for a finalist for it to be named as a winner."
Bolling commented on the mystifying result.
- "I feel as though the answer really must be that they made a determination that no cartoonists among the finalists did work that was Pulitzer-worthy. Otherwise, I feel as though they could have named a tie or just done their job and hashed it out."
Yes, expecting those in the media to do their jobs is a novel concept.
DNC PR Firm – THE 19TH
Earlier this week, the non-profit, gender politics-centered news portal The 19th published an interview with President Barack Obama, and as reported in Politico, this is a sign of the Biden administration going to great lengths to grant the young news portal unique access because the demographics fit their check-box agenda. Vice President Kamala Harris gave them her first interview as a running mate, and they also have spoken with numerous other members of the administration.
Reporter for The 19th Errin Haines "credited the access to the publication's focus on women amid a push by the Biden administration to connect with female voters and install more women in top government roles than ever before. Female politicians and staffers 'get what the 19th is about,' Haines said. 'They are feeling seen in our publication.'"
Instead of mansplaining, forgive me for man-asking: Is there some hindrance preventing women from watching/reading/listening to politics from mainstream outlets?
