"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.
03.17.22
News Avoidance Syndrome – THE NEW YORK TIMES
In a surprising, albeit muted development, The New York Times has confirmed the veracity of the email trove found on the infamous laptop Hunter Biden left behind at a Delaware computer business. This is the very same laptop that the press complex in this country elected to dismiss, with many claiming the story was false, and lead to the New York Post becoming de-platformed for running the accurate story, National Public Radio leading the media charge by saying they would not even look into the story, and many journalists adhering to the claim it was the result of a Russian disinformation campaign.
That last aspect was especially delicious and revealing, given there was physical evidence of the laptop and its contents, and all the while never a shred of evidence that there was any Russian involvement. And look which side the overall media industry chose to cover. Their entire premise was only valid if you believe that Russia had corrupted a private business in Joe Biden's home state to run a long con and plant a fake computer. Of course, you also would have to believe this without there being anything approaching proof of this fable.
Now, The New York Times runs a lengthy piece on the investigations taking place with Hunter Biden, and the paper grudgingly has acknowledged that the laptop and its contents are in fact verified to be real.
- "People familiar with the investigation said prosecutors had examined emails between Mr. Biden, Mr. Archer and others about Burisma and other foreign business activity. Those emails were obtained by The New York Times from a cache of files that appears to have come from a laptop abandoned by Mr. Biden in a Delaware repair shop. The email and others in the cache were authenticated by people familiar with them and with the investigation."
Very good stuff, but why my use of "grudgingly"?! That is because this revelation is not splashed in the headline nor even brought up in the introductory portion of their report. We discover this nugget nestled deep in the piece, in paragraph-24.
A major news outlet was censored, a huge news item was collectively smothered, and the rampant lie of Russian involvement was shared across the journalism landscape. Today, all of that warrants barely an "Oh, by the way…" mention more than 1,000 deep in the article. You can imagine how much Excedrin Migraine tablets were consumed as they wrestled over how to present this.
Hunter Biden has paid off a significant tax liability, but a broad investigation into his business dealings that started as a tax inquiry has remained active. A grand jury is still seeking information about payments from around the world. https://t.co/h5Ue8GEXK3
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 17, 2022
Gilded Reframe – PETER SCHIFF
- Ignoring a book because of its cover.
After Ukraine President Zelenskyy addressed Congress in his plea for defense aid, everyone was impressed with his presentation. Everyone except famed financier and broadcaster Peter Schiff. It seems a leader in a wartorn country who is being pursued by Russian assassin squads should have found the time to stop by a Brooks Brothers and become fitted with a proper suit for the occasion.
I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States.
— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) March 16, 2022
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – POLITICO
Since all of the January 6 uproar, the Capitol has been closed off to public audiences. The only time people are able to tour the Rotunda and other approved areas is through the invitation of congressmen and only through a regimented set of parameters. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas recently gave one such tour, and as a result, the Depart of Justice was notified.
Politico breathlessly details this controversy because the people being guided were members of the truckers convoy that was said to descend upon the Capitol weeks ago but have never arrived. (They are circling the beltway and occasionally driving through town.)
Politico was deeply impressed by the announcement of this guided tour – that is, the outlet was impressed that Marshall had been tattled on by a staff member.
- "A senior congressional aide alerted the Department of Justice about the truckers' presence out of concern that the guided tour could help the protesters plan an entry into the building. The senior congressional aide said he overheard a Capitol Hill police officer complain about the truckers being allowed in the Capitol. He said he reported the tour to the Justice Department."
After Sen. Roger Marshall gave truckers a special tour of the Capitol, a senior congressional aide alerted the DOJ out of concern that the tour could help the protesters plan an entry into the building.https://t.co/RtI3Zx7eCX
— POLITICO (@politico) March 16, 2022
Reporting on the Mirror – CNN
- Chris Cuomo files a $125 million lawsuit against CNN, and Oliver Darcy has heard about it!
The ongoing operatic telenovela at CNN continues, as the deposed anchor Chris Cuomo is leveling a massive lawsuit following his completely justified firing. Cuomo's astronomical ask is based not only on lost wages of $15 million but that the disparagement of his character, as a result, means he is effectively denied future work elsewhere.
We learn of these details from the assistant media maven at CNN, Oliver Darcy. Darcy learned of these details because he and Brian Stelter were scooped about their own network's dealings by another news outlet.
This will never stop looking inept.
— Brad Slager - Coming Out of Retirement...Village (@MartiniShark) March 17, 2022
Once again, the media experts at CNN report on what is going on at CNN by repeating reports that are not from CNN. pic.twitter.com/zvFKgwrdFt
Reporting on the Mirror – ESPN
- Maybe the brothers were, in fact, behind the hiring?
It was a blockbuster announcement in the sports broadcasting world yesterday when it was revealed that ESPN has managed to hire away the longtime NFL TV analyst team of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. The pair, who have spent two decades together at Fox, will be taking over the helm of Monday Night Football.
The surprise here is that the duo has lasted so long, considering how much contempt Buck manages to elicit on social media. Peyton and Eli Manning could benefit here, considering that level of disdain, as this move of having Buck doing play-by-play on ESPN could, in fact, be seen as a ratings boon for The Manningcast on ESPN 2.
ESPN signs legendary #NFL duo Joe @Buck & @TroyAikman to multi-year agreements
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 16, 2022
The veteran broadcasters will become the new voices of @ESPNNFL's Monday Night Football
More: https://t.co/YH2vEdIOVB | #MNF pic.twitter.com/7wxPU60Z3p
