"Riffed from the Headlines" is 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. (For a VIP discount, drop SLAGER in the signup form.)
11.17.21
Body Checking the Fact Checkers – CNN
It has become accepted that the press is simply intent on lying about the Kyle Rittenhouse saga and his trial. As to why this is the case across the media spectrum, that is a deeper mystery. Here we see Yahoo! Entertainment putting on a show of correcting the facts but in the most tepid fashion possible. The site goes after Instagram posts that delivered some false information about the night of the shooting, including the canard that Rittenhouse's mother drove him to the riot.
EXCEPT, as Yahoo notes this false claim was made on November 15, they choose to ignore that on CNN, Bakari Sellers was delivering this false narrative nearly a week earlier. He describes the Rittenhouse attackers as "protestors," claims Kyle was the person who shot first and was the only one to fire any rounds.
Bakari Sellers still spreading lies #AcrossStateLines
— Matt Orfalea (@0rf) November 17, 2021
1. His momma did NOT drive him
2. Rittenhouse was NOT the only one to fire shots
3. Rittenhouse did NOT fire the first shot
4. "Protesters" fired MORE shots than Rittenhouse pic.twitter.com/eivI3CWU0E
Presentation Paradox – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
We keep waiting for the day when the journalists and news outlets realize their obsession with race and division is a self-created minefield. They are so ardent in accusing racism that they inevitably become guilty of the very unreal standards they force on society. Case in point, NPR got strung up when they were eager to point out how disappointing it was that in the recent election in the city of Boston, one of the black females who ran for office was not elected.
Small problem; in order to make this point, NPR had to effectively insult the winner, another female POC. As a result, the outlet took down their initial tweet.
It is not surprising that @NPR deleted this. It is amazing that they sent it out in the first place. pic.twitter.com/AEjGfmTiEC
— Brad Slager - Incontinent On Another Continent (@MartiniShark) November 17, 2021
That was good enough, but no – they next had to attempt fixing things. It did not go well.
We realize we don't always get things right the first time, and our previous tweet/headline misrepresented the story.
— NPR (@NPR) November 16, 2021
We deleted the previous tweet, which was causing harm, and have updated the story
Here is the problem. That initial tweet, where NPR says they misrepresented the story? It is a direct quote from the article itself, and those alleged words of harm are still featured in the opening paragraph. It appears the only real harm from this has been to the credibility of the outlet.
Legalized Press-titution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
- The call went out for some needed public relations assistance.
It has been a rough go of things for Vice President Kamala Harris, and the past couple of weeks have been even worse. Fumbling in Europe, being upstaged at the recent signing ceremony, and then Jen Psaki giving verbal support that amounted to an insult – all while her approval numbers are cratering – means the Second In Command needs media assistance.
At a French cookware store, VP says the Second Gentleman learned how to cook during covid. “She taught me during covid. Out of necessity. After I almost burned down the apartment,” he adds.
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) November 13, 2021
Yes, this should do it. Nothing repairs the public image of a politician like a reflective moment we all can assimilate with in our lives.
See, they are JUST like the rest of us.
— Brad Slager - Incontinent On Another Continent (@MartiniShark) November 17, 2021
I had almost this exact same conversation while shopping for high-end kitchenware in Paris while staying at a 5-star palatial suite with a media entourage.
So damned relatable... https://t.co/8FBazCh3Mp
Anti-Social Media – NBC SPORTS
There may be no better way to deflate the condescension of a journalist better than to point out their lack of self-awareness. At NBC Sports, their host of Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio, has been particularly upset with Aaron Rodgers and his Covid-vaccine controversy. After sending out yet another dispatch harping on Rodgers, he received a response from another sports talk host and member of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, Gil Brandt.
78
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) November 15, 2021
To explain, Brandt was highlighting how many times, to that point, Florio had unloaded on Rodgers. That is 78 times he sent out a complaint on the QB in just a 12 day period. Then things turned amusing. Florio, who has railed against Aaron Rodgers for not being able to take criticism, asked Brandt a direct question in response and tweet-blocked him in the process.
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Should we consult a doctor on this matter, or is this one of the instances where it is actually appropriate to do our own research? In this era of public health concerns, and our media complex serving as a clearinghouse of vital medical information, it is a shining beacon of comfort that The Times is here to clear up for the general public a vital dietary concern – they delve into the efficacy of consuming the stickers placed on produce.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. https://t.co/PeM2AUXuee pic.twitter.com/gNYtQz8g0q
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 16, 2021
Blue-anon – BUSINESS INSIDER
So here we go, the media rushes out to once again report on a notable name pushing out a daft conspiracy theory. This time, rock guitarist Ace Frehley, of KISS fame, weighed in on the recent tragedy at the Astroworld concert where ten people died. Frehley stated on his social media account that he felt this seemed like a satanic ritual that had gone awry.
I dunno. If anyone might have some inside intel on the inner workings of concerts, it would be a 70-year-old rock guitarist with a few decades of touring on his resume. But allow me to lend some advice to the reporters who look down on these theories and find them to be distasteful and possibly dangerous: You know, you do have the option of NOT reporting on these theories, and thereby helping to actually spread them around.
This is shocking. I can't believe in this day and age there's someone who still uses Facebook https://t.co/lJKhKNJnnw
— Robby King (@robbyking) November 17, 2021
