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When De-platformers Are Pulled Off the Stage

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Jun 28, 2021
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

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. 

06.28.21 (Update)

  First Amendment Strike Force – PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY

  • When the pitchforks and torches you sell are used against you.

The PAW activist division Right Wing Watch has been known over the years for a few character traits; they have targeted groups they deem offensive. They favor the suspensions and canceling of outlets they disagree with, and they have denied cancel culture is a legitimate complaint. Today, they announced that cancel culture is, in fact, real, as the group that once crowed "de-platforming works" has found itself de-platformed.

The irony is rich enough to clear up anemia. It would probably be intemperate to use some of the same retorts Right Wing Watch has dispensed in the past; for example, they can just go off and start their own YouTube-type network, and that this is a private company operating as it sees fit to do – but we will use them here anyway.

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News Avoidance Syndrome – THE DAILY BEAST

  • The tremulous fears of a pandemic lecturer sure seem to ignore the doctors.

It has become something of a trademark for writer Wajahat Ali to deliver scorn and bile toward his political opponents. That is why it becomes laughable to see the man descend into a quivering pile of pudding on social media over masks.

This is a reporter who appears completely ignorant of core facts, such as the dwindling Covid cases, the near absent infection rates in children, the debatable merits of masks, or a lack of pediatric vaccines. Of course, becoming vaccinated would certainly alleviate many of his fears.

Well then, this is certainly a sight to see, a journalist completely disregarding science outright.

Body Checking The Fact Checkers – FACTCHECK.ORG

  • The valiant truth detectors are back at debunking satire.

Once again, the experts who elevate themselves with puffery and condemnation are busy toiling at fact-checking jokes. This time the warriors of truth ride in to diffuse anyone who might believe that Denzel Washington has sworn off the Democratic Party, informing us that this has not transpired and is, in fact, the product of an avowed satire website.

Why these folks continue to embarrass themselves in this fashion is a mystery because even if they come up with a valid explanation as to why they are stooping to this level, it defies their own stated goal. This story has nothing at all to do with "Holding politicians accountable," as they cloak their duties. But thankfully, they are on the front lines because just imagine the harm if people actually believed an actor is switching his political party allegiance! (Well...yeah, you would have to imagine that.)

First Amendment Strike Force – THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • The problem with the right to free speech is all these citizens who use it! 

In an op-ed for the weekend, Timothy Egan wrote of an issue he has been watching grow out of control – people are using their free expression way too much. Of course, the blame falls on the right (Thanks, Rush Limbaugh!), and all of this communicating is leading to intemperate thought, which is why flight attendants are being attacked and a checkout clerk at a grocer was shot recently.

  • "Once upon a time, the crackpots could mostly talk only to themselves on barstools; now they have an enormous community in the dark reaches of the web." 

Apropos of little else in his column, Egan closes with an Indian quote: "A people without history is like wind on the buffalo grass." I suppose I need to harken back to last year and remind Mr. Egan who it was that wanted to tear down monuments and eliminate those items of the past which were offensive; it was not those acerbic conservatives who abandoned their barstools.

Pulitzer Prize Nomination – PEOPLE MAGAZINE

WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS! Dateline – New York City

Reports are out that actress Angelina Jolie has been vacationing with her children, and all reports indicate they are having a good time! 

Now, we know what you are thinking – yes, it is a ridiculous story for anyone to deliver, but it gets better. Or, make that more asinine. Not only does this report have less content than a diet rice cake, but it took two reporters to file this entry. And it gets better – all this non-news was delivered via anonymous sources. 

  • "A source tells PEOPLE. 'They were out to museums and dinner with each other through the trip and had a nice time.'"

The closely guarded informant network also delivered pertinent information regarding Jolie's birthday activities earlier this month.

  • "'They had a great day celebrating at home, and the kids surprised her with a special dinner out,'" a source previously told PEOPLE."

Anonymous sources: Imagine the specifics we would be in the dark about without these valuable wellsprings of detailed intel.

06.28.21 (Original)

Pre-Written Field Reports – WASHINGTON POST

  • There is always time to politicize a tragedy.

The structural failure and ultimate collapse of a condominium on Miami Beach has been a dramatic tragedy, but that does not preclude the press from finding an opportunity to make political hits. At the Washington Post, Hannah Dreier realized that this calamity taking place in Florida means that there is ample reason to slam Governor Ron DeSantis.

This could have been seen by many that she landed a direct hit, except the researchable facts – which Dreier showed no interest in obtaining – derailed her efforts. DeSantis Press Secretary Christina Pushaw noted that not only did Dreier fail to contact them on the process, she failed at getting the details she was criticizing. There is a chain of command regarding the emergency orders, and it has to originate at the local level, then state, and then it can be sent to the president. DeSantis signed his EO within one hour of receiving the local order.

And just to extend the journalistic sloth, Pushaw informed that Dreier – whose bio touts she has "open DMs" – closed her direct messages after she began receiving all the contradictory documents. 

Even before the Emergency Order was filed, the local FEMA division had already been sent to the site, and those in the press wanting to come up with other criticisms that DeSantis was not doing enough found their claims were disputed by the local mayor, attesting they have been granted full support from state resources.

DNC PR Firm – NBC NEWS

"There is nothing like a disaster, to focus the mind," said Joshua Johnson on "Meet The Press," as they discussed the ongoing debate of the infrastructure bill. Yes, he was actually looking to leverage the tragedy of the condominium collapse to push the monolithic spending proposal. "There is nothing like a disaster to remind the American people the home you sleep in may not stand by morning – and there is something you can do about it."

Well, at least they are not resorting to scare tactics to push through this massive bill set to cost trillions. 

Reporting On The Mirror – CNN

I think we can all agree that in the midst of a grave tragedy, the one thing that is needed is more media on site. Adding to the throng of press on Miami Beach was Chris Cuomo, and as he was circulating around the press tents, he was spotted in rather insensitive gear. The guy was on location of potentially dozens of deaths wearing socks with skulls that were clearly visible.

Blue-Anon – NBC NEWS

  • Maybe you do not hate conspiracies as much as you think…

Ben Collins offers up a video of a pastor delivering an excited sermon, the content of which sounds suspiciously like Qanon theories to Ben. He then uses this clip to springboard into a rather all-encompassing accusation that most people on the Right are adherents of these crackpot theories.

He seems to miss out that when he declares most on the right are Q-nutters, and his "proof" is that every single one denies it, he ends up sounding exactly like those he is trying to criticize. This used to be the type of litmus test they used to determine who was a witch.

Low Octane Gas Lighting – CNN

  • Even when there is no reason he cannot help but talk about Trump.

On Saturday, President Trump held a well-attended rally, and Brian Stelter was there to cover it on "Reliable Sources" the next day. Sort of. Stelter's news report was all about the lack of news in the story. His graphics declared it a nothing burger...as he used the report to open his show and proceeded to display the numerous news outlets that also covered the event. 

This is how desperate they have become – even as they claim there is no reason to report on the man, they still have to feature him prominently at the start of a program. 

Pulitzer Prize Nomination – NEWS NATION 

The recently rechristened WGN America has brought a new split-format cable channel, with daily entertainment options giving way to an evening news format. If this report is an indicator of what to expect from their journalism, it could be a long road to relevance. 

The only thing lacking with this eye-opening report on the effects of coffee on an individual is a banner touting this as an EXCLUSIVE!