Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage on the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
08.05.21 (Update)
DNC PR Firm – MSNBC
- It's never too early to address campaign problems at MSNBC
It has become a reliable punchline that Chuck Todd will become visibly agitated whenever a conservative guest on his "Meet The Press" suggests he and/or the greater press corps favor those on the Left. That's why it is sheer amusement to watch as he uses his MTP Daily show to deliver much-needed economic messaging to the Democratic Party.
Citing concerns from DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney over polling showing the Democrats could be trailing enough to lose control of the Congress next fall, Todd discusses with correspondent Sahil Kapur what they need to do to recover. The pair banter over the proper approach for economic policy, and then Chuck began coaching on the proper level of anti-Trump policy positions.
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- "The Democratic Party doesn't seem to be united on what the message is....they're running on the 2020 message of not-Trump or beware of Trumpism or let's fight Trumpism, whatever version of it, it is. It sounds like Sean Patrick Maloney is basically saying, look, that certainly – you can do some of that, but you need another message."
So refreshing to see Chuck Todd's balanced and non-partisan approach to politics.
WATCH: DCCC chairman warns Democrats risk losing their majority in the House if they don’t change their economic message. @sahilkapur: “If Democrats are able to get [infrastructure] done it gives them a message but if not, they are in trouble.” pic.twitter.com/FD6VbDJmto
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 4, 2021
Pounce Of Prevention – POLITICO
Politico is always good for coining the newest method of the GOP becoming a bother when they notice Democrat misbehavior. The latest comes from the Cori Bush fiasco, where the Missouri congresswoman has been found to rely on personal security, costing tens of thousands of dollars, while she is at the same time lobbying hard to defund the police.
The sharp minds at Politico note what the real problem is here.
- The "GOP Latches on to Cori Bush Private Security Spending"
- Republicans are salivating over a new interview in which Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) defended spending $70k on private security for herself.
- The NRCC has already started weaving Bush's interview into their attack ads.
Also adding to the nefarious GOP activities, Politico describes that the GOP focusing on her speech here is an "attack."
Republicans are salivating over a new interview in which Rep. CORI BUSH (D-Mo.) defended paying for private security for herself as a member of Congress — while also saying Democrats should defund the police. The latest in Playbook PM: https://t.co/0qA2t2w5Ne
— POLITICO Playbook (@playbookdc) August 5, 2021
Presentation Paradox – YAHOO NEWS
The press is in the process of contorting themselves at the moment. On the one side, they are trying to scorch the GOP for politicizing the defund the police proposals, but at the same time, they are trying to scorch the GOP for even suggesting that Democrats want to defund the police.
- President Joe Biden was right to claim critics were "lying" for tying Democrats to the "defund the police" movement, despite Missouri Rep. Cori Bush reiterating her call for defunding this week, according to the White House.
Sure, it is lying to point out that members of The Squad tried to pass a bill to defund the police last summer. Or that Joe Biden campaigned on the concept being a good idea.
Psaki must’ve gotten sudden amnesia by forgetting this clip of Biden just last year:
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) August 5, 2021
"Yes, Absolutely" we should redirect funding away from the police.
pic.twitter.com/ixeV0NM36o
News Avoidance Syndrome – CNN
Brian Stelter joined the crew of the foundering CNN morning show "New Day" to discuss the hot topic of the day. Was it the Governor of New York's sprawling sex scandal? Was it his brother tossing journalism ethics over the transom to form the news narrative? Maybe the exploding migrant crisis at the border?
Nope.
Their primary concern was that after months of tryouts, it looks like on "Jeopardy!" the new host will end up being one of the show's own producers. Because...of course, it was.
The Dick Cheney of game shows!
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) August 5, 2021
I pick….ME!!! https://t.co/2O9V93EpoT
08.05.21 (Original)
Reporting On The Mirror – POYNTER
With the Andrew Cuomo scandal erupting, it appears more than just CNN is unwilling to be filled with condemnation for his brother's involvement, alleged journalist Chris Cuomo. The Poynter Institute, a self-proclaimed bastion of journalism teachings and ethics, had an editorial on Cuomo's involvement with his brother. Yet, while sounding like they were taking a firm stand, the piece never gets around to actually leveling criticism on his actions.
There are hints and allusions to wrongdoing, but at no point does Tom Jones come forward with anything approaching a rebuke, nor does he call for any action to be taken toward Cuomo. More telling is the phrase, in reference to the work he did on behalf of his beleaguered governor brother, "that is going to be hard to forget," lending the impression that forgetting about this whole episode is the intended goal.
"This isn’t blaming Chris for Andrew’s actions. This is blaming Chris for Chris’ actions. Advising his brother is something that is going to be hard to forget, especially when Chris is reporting on similar accusations against other public figures."https://t.co/P5yyLhz1W0
— Poynter (@Poynter) August 4, 2021
Anti-Social Media – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Actor Jason Mamoa is making the press rounds to promote the upcoming release of the remake of "Dune" in theaters in October. While sitting with The New York Times, reporter David Marchese brought up his appearance in the series "Game Of Thrones," and Marchese actually attempted to deliver scorn because Mamoa played the role of an aggressor who performed a rape on screen.
- "Do you think differently today about those scenes? Would you do one now? Do you have any regrets? Those types of scenes can seem as if they belong to an older cultural moment."
Marchese is actually looking to have Mamoa bear some responsibility for the actions of a fictional character who was a villain in the series. To his credit, Mamoa was not playing along. "It's not my job to go, 'Would I not do it?' I've never really been questioned about 'Do you regret playing a role?' We'll put it this way: I already did it."
After delivering lengthy and involved answers, you can see where following this exchange, Jason gave short, curt answers. Then as the interview wrapped, he properly called out Marchese for the loaded question.
- "I was bummed when you asked me that. It just feels icky — putting it upon me to remove something. As if an actor even had the choice to do that. We're not really allowed to do anything. You don't get to come in and be like, 'I'm not going do that because this isn't kosher right now and not right in the political climate.' That never happens. So it's a question that feels icky. I just wanted you to know that."
Reading this Q&A from Jason Mamoa’s @nytimes interview,
— Katy O’SickOfIt (@KSickofit) August 3, 2021
I’m confused what media is supposed to be now. Can we no longer write characters and experiences that aren’t morally upright?
Would you ask Zac Efron if he regrets playing Ted Bundy and depicting violence? I don’t know man pic.twitter.com/9QA8ZESNdH
Low Octane Gas Lighting – POLITICO
Not only has the border crisis been a constant problem for Joe Biden, it is a growing issue. The flood of arrivals continues, and the numbers in July were approaching historic levels. Somebody should tip off the minds at Politico on the matter.
In a piece detailing the hiring of immigration guru Lucas Guttentag at the DOJ, it was described as an effort to rescind Trump-era immigration policies. While the attempt to frame current problems on the former president – and basically excuse the raft of executive orders Biden signed that made the border into a revolving door – it closes out with a rather daft declaration.
- "His appointment comes as the White House continues to keep the southern border largely closed during the pandemic, blocking migrants from seeking asylum, despite mounting legal challenges and renewed criticism from allies about the 16-month closure."
After months of waiting, the Biden administration has hired a former Obama official to help take apart the restrictive immigration policies developed under Trump https://t.co/kwC9Vl5hPe
— POLITICO (@politico) August 2, 2021
Presentation Paradox – MEDIA MATTERS
The pandemic mantra heard from the press has always been, follow the science, listen to the medical experts. That does carry a disclaimer, however – this mandate does not apply when the science or medical staff defies the narrative.
At Media Matters, Sean Hannity is under fire for having on his radio show a pair of guests who are described as being "anti-vax conspiracy theorists." The two guests were actually medically trained doctors, but these were invalid dispensers of medical information, according to the non-medically-trained Brendan Karet of Media Matters.
Sean Hannity hosted anti-vax conspiracy theorists to provide a “special hour” of medical advice;
— Media Matters (@mmfa) August 4, 2021
They have promoted warnings of “the demon needle,” an “urgent warning about poisonous jabs,” and pushed claims that the “COVID vaccines are killing people.” https://t.co/1UseJ6wRH9
Stealth Story Evolution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
- We take this to mean that Osama was actually NOT a great father and husband.
On Tuesday, we mentioned how The Times delivered a headline that proclaimed the terrorist ring leader Osama Bin Laden was a devoted family man. It seems the paper has changed their position on the matter, possibly when they realized granting him FOY posthumously was a bad look.
The New York Times changed a headline to eliminate its claim that Osama bin Laden was a “devoted family man.”
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) August 5, 2021
“Nothing screams family man like using your (multiple) wives as human shields,” former Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw tweeted about the original headline.https://t.co/juBO6xh4II
News Avoidance Syndrome – CNN
The slide of the audience numbers at CNN continues, and it has hit a new glaring benchmark.
In the month of July, the highest-rated program on the network ranked #22, but now a new low has been achieved by The Apple Network. Over the course of the past seven days, not one single broadcast on CNN crested the 1-million-viewers plateau.
It's not looking good for CNN, which could not break one million viewers for any of their primetime programming July 28 through August 3. https://t.co/XTUKWbQq5V
— Joe Cunningham (@JoePCunningham) August 5, 2021
