"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage of 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.
08.30.22
Reporting on the Mirror – WASHINGTON POST
- If only they had a billionaire to bail them out! Wait…
A big report from their competitor, The New York Times, states that the Washington Post is losing money, with subscribership well off. There is speculation that a significant amount of layoffs could be in the works as a result.
It seems almost too justified as the paper of Taylor Lorenz was just yesterday detailed to have been engaged in shady journalism with a hit piece on the Libs of TikTok.
SCOOP: The Washington Post is on track to lose money this year, sources say. It been unable to boost subscribers back to the 3 million it had in 2020 -- and CEO Fred Ryan has floated cutting 100 newsroom positions. Story here from me and @BenMullin https://t.co/xas2BHSR56
— Katie Robertson (@katie_robertson) August 30, 2022
Both Kinds of Standards – NBC NEWS
- We have compiled the evidence to prove they are compiling evidence against others!
This is what happens when you are just a little too focused on what goes on in Trump World. NBC News has a breaking report from Ben Collins, who went deep into Trump forums in order to show that they are compiling "weaponizable data" in order to use it against others.
To summarize: Ben Collins targeted Trump backers who are collecting data to use against perceived political villains by using collected data in order to show they are villains for doing so.
Pro-Trump forums now exist to disseminate weaponizable data on new perceived villains to harass and threaten. One week it's FBI agents, then IRS agents, then teachers or doctors.
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) August 29, 2022
This won't stop, even if Trump is indicted. But it deserves to be reported on as the pattern it is.
Glossary Over Things – THE HILL
The Hill has a detailed report on the possible threats that could be found in the home, which could have a severe impact on a pregnancy. This is an important study, one that can save lives even. But just be assured – The Hill is not filing this in order to help out women.
Pregnant people exposed to cancer-linked chemicals in household items, dyes: study https://t.co/7sxGiRAw4Z pic.twitter.com/DeZgTL46cs
— The Hill (@thehill) August 30, 2022
First Amendment Strike Force – GOOGLE
With echoes of Parler being shut down by the Amazon hosting services, now comes another similar episode concerning the Trump-backed social media destination Truth Social. A squabble is erupting between the platform and Google, which owns and operates the Android cellular network. Truth has been working on getting availability on Android phones, but they have been blocked to this point from being made available on the Android app store. Google contends it is doing so because it has not seen what it considers to be sufficient policing of the users on its site.
This moves from: "Don't like how we are moderating your content? Then make your own social media" to become "We don't like how you are moderating your own content on your own social media."
SCOOP: Google hasn't yet approved Truth Social's Android app for distribution via its Play Store due to insufficient content moderation.https://t.co/nNCwpEhmZJ
— Axios (@axios) August 30, 2022
Low Octane Gas Lighting – MSNBC
- Now, if the students are tired of hearing the same claptrap from you, is that NOT an indicator?
On "Morning Joe," Mika was interviewing political professor Christina Greer, who was trying to stress to the audience just how vital the upcoming midterms are going to be. It was with amusing obliviousness that Greer acknowledges the farce of her trotting out the same tired trope concerning the plight of the country, but that did not stop her from trotting out the same tired trope concerning the plight of our country.
At @MSNBC the @Morning_Joe crowd allowed Political Professor Christina @Dr_CMGreer to whine how her students are tired of hearing her hysterics.
— Lie-Able Sources (@LieAbleSources) August 30, 2022
"Okay, I know we have talked about past elections being 'the most important in our lifetime' before, but this time we REALLY mean it!" pic.twitter.com/11XOdOBRI3
