12.15.23
Reporting on the Mirror – THE NEW YORK TIMES
At The Economist, there is a LENGTHY feature by columnist James Bennett that is an indictment of the state of journalism as a whole and The New York Times in particular. Bennett is particularly well-versed on the topic as he is a former editor at that outlet. He was a strong voice at The Times before he was unceremoniously dumped after the infamous Senator Tom Cotton op-ed suggesting mobilizing the National Guard to quell some of the violent protests of 2020.
This was the op-ed that had the staffers at the paper in a meltdown because they felt "unsafe" and other daft declarations because a conservative voice appeared in print.
While this is a worthy but epic read (it weighs in at about 18,000 words), one of the more interesting nuggets he delivers is that while that op-ed carried an excusatory editor's note (it's not our fault!, essentially) and Bennett was made to fall on the sword over it, he says The Times had actually commissioned Cotton to write it, and it was done with the blessing of the publisher at the time.
The definitive essay about how the New York Times lost its way by a person who was there to witness all of it: my former boss and friend, James Bennet.
— Bari Weiss (@bariweiss) December 14, 2023
It is also a story about social ostracism, scapegoating, and cowardice.https://t.co/Ker4MRRvsG
News Avoidance Synrome – VARIOUS OUTLETS
Former FBI official Charles McGonigal was sentenced to four years over his involvement with a Russian oligarch and taking bribes. The disgraced Bureau agency head took over $225,000 from infamous oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of Vladamir Putin.
What is striking about this is how many news outlets – The Associated Press, Washington Post, ABC News, CBS News, Reuters, and others – saw no need to point out that McGonigal was a key player in launching the investigation into…wait for it…Donald Trump allegedly being involved with Russian officials. Huh…
As an FBI Official Is Sentenced for Working Directly With Russia, News Outlets Erase One Key Detailhttps://t.co/gYK9F1vJ6n
— RedState (@RedState) December 15, 2023
DNC PR Firm – MSNBC
- Maybe those with expense accounts should not comment on the economy?
In his perpetual effort to bolster the fortunes of President Biden, Chris Hayes is back with his latest example of fractured myth-making. This time, he tries to insist the economy is doing swell and wants to coax Biden into bragging about things more.
His explanation is that there is only the "perception" that the economy was good under Trump because he insisted it was good, so Biden needs to do the same. There really is no need, since the press is out there doing this heavy lifting for him.
Say, Chris? The Democrats recently announced they were dropping the use of the term "Bidenomics" – ya think maybe there's a reason they do not want to tie his name to the fortunes of voters?
"Part of the reason that people's perception the economy was 'good' in the Trump era...is that he constantly, unceasingly sledgehammered us over the head with propaganda about it," says @chrislhayes on the economic messaging of Trump vs. Biden. pic.twitter.com/88qJitVV3o
— All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) December 15, 2023
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – VARIOUS (SPORTS) OUTLETS
- Did his inability to say the word "T-Swizzle" cost Michaels a gig?!
In a bit of a surprise report this week, NBC Sports announced that legendary sports announcer Al Michaels would not be included in its teams covering the NFL Playoffs. There is an increased amount of speculation swirling in online sports outlets that this decision would stem from an interview he gave in October where he stated that during a Chiefs game, they would not be highlighting the presence of Taylor Swift as much.
Did Al Michaels get dropped by NBC from calling the NFL playoffs because he wasn't all in on the nonstop Taylor Swift coverage? A new theory is emerging:https://t.co/dwhUDabrIT
— OutKick (@Outkick) December 15, 2023
Blue-Anon – MSNBC
- We are starting to think this Trump guy might be kinda sorta maybe bad!
Think back for a moment about how many times we have heard how Fox News dispenses crackpot theories and misinformation and that its audience is misinformed, as they do not hear sane and sober news reporting.
The amusement is that MSNBC is nothing but a fever-dream factory of hysterical predictive dystopian scenarios involving Donald Trump. Whether it is Chris Hayes selling conspirational scenarios, Joy Reid dispensing regular nightmare promises, or the "Morning Joe" crew trying to outdo each other with Trump inevitabilities, the network is a hive of hysterics.
Joining the fray is Miles Taylor, who weaved his own disaster porn. Now, Trump is said to be ready to close down businesses, send in the military, and even shut down the internet!
MSNBC's @MilesTaylorUSA: If elected, Trump may "turn off the Internet." https://t.co/OstdHL4n9T pic.twitter.com/IcE9rtRfM5
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 14, 2023
Making this Chicken Little shrieking all the more precious, Taylor followed this up with his own statement that he thinks shutting down the web is actually a cool idea – he just does not want it to be done by somebody he does not like!
I’d love for the internet to be turned off for a bit … just not by a demented, Putin-loving hack wielding emergency presidential powers to selectively punish online outlets and platforms he doesn’t like. Trump’s own people worry about him doing this, BTW. https://t.co/QnqdidEHVk
— Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) December 15, 2023
"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.
