11.30.23
Reporting on the Mirror – MSNBC
It was about a week after the attack on Israeli citizens on October 7 when a ratings anomaly was spotted. While most news outlets were experiencing a sharp rise in the ratings, MSNBC actually saw a drop in its audience. This was attributed to the fact that many of its news hosts – especially those on the weekend shift when the violence broke out – were decidedly taking a sympathetic approach to the Palestinian cause. Among the most vocal in this was host Mehdi Hasan.
Following that cratering of the ratings, Hasan became far less visible on the network, and it has now been announced that MSNBC is addressing this pro-Hamas issue. Sort of.
Max Tani of Semafor broke the news that Hasan is removed from his weekend show as well as his Thursday program on the streaming service Peacock. However, his Sunday hour will be taken over by Ayman Mohyeldin – another of the pro-Hamas voices on the network.
MSNBC cancels Mehdi Hasan show @maxwelltani https://t.co/ymeGIV2Z8m
— Ben Smith (@semaforben) November 30, 2023
DNC PR Firm – FLORIDA POLITICS
As we get prepared for tonight's scintillating debate between Governors Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom, we learn that the California haircare expert has been seeking coaching advice from the Sunshine State. It is fair to say that when it comes to the Democrats, there is not a deep bench down here, but still it is amusing to most to learn who Gavin has turned to.
Failed candidate Nikki Fried.
Making this all the more perplexing is that state news outlet Florida Politics looks at the woman who lost handily to Charlie Crist in the primary – who promptly was destroyed in the governor's race by DeSantis – and declares her to be Newsom's "secret Weapon."
Secret weapon? @NikkiFried, @FlaDems helped @GavinNewsom prep for @RonDeSantis debate
— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) November 30, 2023
Reporting by @AGGancarskihttps://t.co/NvFCpDYyX6#FlaPol pic.twitter.com/Obh9oHHMNo
Both Kinds of Standards – THE DAILY BEAST
We recall not so long ago when the press was in full defense of John Fetterman and tossing critical snark at conservatives who were making hay out of the dress code in the Senate being watered down for his benefit. Obsessing over what someone wears was said to be petty, at the time.
But now comes the funeral for former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, and the fact that Melania Trump attended wearing a grey coat, while most others were in black, is said to be a sartorial offense the likes of which all of the press is in outrage mode regarding.
A pair of facts need to be applied here.
ONE – Melania had a black dress on as well.
TWO – A certain someone at a prior first lady's passing wore a grey coat over a black dress, and no media meltdown occurred.
Please David, tell us more about the disrespect and classlessness of a former 1st Lady wearing a grey coat over a black dress to the funeral of another 1st Lady. https://t.co/e2JnAUV4Ka pic.twitter.com/vxmRKIe8dj
— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) November 29, 2023
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – ROLLING STONE
When it comes to the passing of political figures, we get varying degrees of coverage. Some outlets will soft-pedal the atrocities of notable villains, others need to truck in critical elements of respected leaders.
Then, there is Rolling Stone…
Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday. The notorious war criminal was 100.
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) November 30, 2023
🔗 https://t.co/OlhATbZOFL pic.twitter.com/xp0NBxIX1X
Demo-lition Project – VARIOUS OUTLETS
- 'Tis the season to be coding.
On the subject of heartlessness, there is suddenly a rash of media announcements of a rather dire nature. Just in time for the holidays, we get a series of announcements that jobs are being erased across the media spectrum.
- Vanity Fair and The New Yorker are beginning layoffs, according to Dylan Beyers.
- The Washington Post will slash jobs if it does not reach its buyout goal.
- Vox announced it, too, was commencing with layoffs.
- Gizmodo also is cutting jobs today.
- Popular Science is shutting down.
After 151 years, Popular Science will no longer offer a magazine https://t.co/pjQWVsWwqz
— The Verge (@verge) November 28, 2023
Democratic Custodial Services – MSNBC
- The inability to look objectively at the criminal record of a recidivist continues.
Leave it to Mika Brzezinski to take the position few rational people would arrive at. In looking at the "plight" of Hunter Biden, she takes the now-tired approach of trying to sell him as a troubled figure. Gone is any addressing of his lengthy list of illegalities, and instead, we get treacly sympathy of beleaguered emotions for this victim of addiction.
.@MorningMika : Every family knows someone who's suffered like Hunter Biden has https://t.co/SAWfQDuQBb
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) November 29, 2023
Oh, please. He has pocketed millions from foreign leverage, sat with wealthy board positions for jobs he had no qualification, dodged legal responsibility, sold his memoirs, became a successful artist absent any legitimate talent, and currently sits with a posh address in California with a $20,000 monthly rent despite not having any discernable job.
But he "suffers."
"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage of the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation, where Brad Slager looks to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media.
