"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage of the nation's deeply flawed aspects of journalism. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
07.07.22
News Avoidance Syndrome – MSNBC
It is not usually highly newsworthy to detail the ratings of particular pundits. Unless…
Joy Reid just reached her two-year milestone of taking over the 7 pm slot at MSNBC. She commemorates the anniversary in a special way. During the second quarter of this year, Reid hit the lowest ratings since her show launched in 2020. She has shed nearly half of her early audience totals, and in the advertiser demographic, she is down a staggering -60%.
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Time to start another feud with Tucker Carlson, it sounds.
ICYMI -->> Heartbreak at #MSNBC as Joy Reid's 'ReidOut' Crashes and Burns in Ratings Wars https://t.co/1bTy913WRA
— Sister Toldjah ?? (@sistertoldjah) July 7, 2022
Both Kinds of Standards – THE NEW YORK TIMES
The New York Times looked into the governmental efforts to battle disinformation – both the newly announced joint misinfo-task force and the previous failed effort undertaken at the DHS. Nina Jankowicz is given a glowing review, despite her numerous exposed bouts of personal disinformation, and there is little to be found in the way of criticism over a governmental oversight on expression.
Also lacking is anything approaching criticism of journalists engaging in disinformation, such as the rash of them spreading the false DeSantis news story this week that had been debunked over one year ago.
New York Times Feigns Concern Over Disinformation as It Ignores Journos Who Currently Spread Disinformation https://t.co/9z8MgtcdrT
— RedState (@RedState) July 7, 2022
DNC PR Firm – AXIOS
In a not-at-all surprising announcement, Axios seems rather surprised that politicians would target their political enemies in acts of reprisal for political gain. (Welcome to Washington, D.C., Axios – we hope you find the town pleasant.)
In a report looking forward, the outlet details that Republicans might be looking to target the January 6 Committee if they take the majority after the midterm elections.
- Key House Republicans are threatening to subpoena records of the Jan. 6 committee if the GOP retakes the majority next year — an escalation of the party's effort to undercut the investigation's findings.
Wow, a party targeting the opposition party if they take control of the House in an act of vengeance – that manages to actually describe the very actions of the J-6 Commission, a detail that seems lost on Axios.
New: Key House Republicans are threatening to subpoena records of the Jan. 6 committee if the GOP retakes the majority next year — an escalation of the party's effort to undercut the investigation's findings.
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) July 6, 2022
w/ @jonathanvswan https://t.co/uP7oLHYtps
Pre-Written Field Reports – MSNBC
- We will just place the blame elsewhere, facts and evidence be damned.
At MSNBC, Stephanie Ruhle has taken a break from deflecting responsibility for the economy away from poor Democrat policies in order to focus on the recent Highland Park shooting in Illinois – and deflect responsibility away from poor Democrat policies.
She tossed her segment over to Ali Velshi, who stammered his way through his excusal of the violence by blaming the shooting on weapons being available in other states.
- "Guns get in from other places because there aren't hard borders between states, and that's the same problem with Highland Park. Guns get in from other places."
This would be the time when we take the uncomfortable position of explaining the concept of research to a journalist. You see, Ali, the Highland Park shooter purchased his gun legally in the state of Illinois.
Matching Media Memorandum – CNN
- Sure, but THIS TIME it feels different!!!
Consider for a moment how many times over the years we have heard how Donald Trump was going to be brought down by explosive news, that the walls were closing in, that the latest bombshell was certain to deliver a crushing blow and that this time we could finally see things lead to his downfall.
Yea, we have tired of these screeching headlines long ago as well, to the point that, like everyone else, we no longer even hear them. Well, over at CNN, this is a reality that has yet to settle in on the likes of Chris Cillizza. His Trump-themed glass is ALWAYS half full!
The January 6 testimony that could bring Trump downhttps://t.co/99wMEkXs72
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) July 7, 2022
