"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.
07.15.22
Both Kinds of Standards – CNN
- Journalists questioning news stories are apparently out of line, according to Jake Tapper.
The ongoing mess that is the story of the 10-year-old girl from Ohio who was raped and needed to travel to Indiana to get an abortion continues to be bothersome. At CNN, Jake Tapper focused on the crucial aspect of the story – what people on the right were saying about the story.
Tapper went on a lengthy rant excoriating any politicians or media members who dared to raise questions about his story, even when it was curiously under-investigated, as I had mentioned this weekend.
Yet, Jake has taken some very similar stances as those with who he is angry. On a Sunday panel, he had, in fact, mentioned that the story had been rooted in a solitary source, and he was stating that he would like more information.
P.S. On Sunday, CNN's Jake Tapper sure seemed skeptical of the rape of a 10-year-old Ohio girl!
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) July 14, 2022
Granted, he didn't insist it was false or the abortionist had lied. That said, he wasn't sold yet!
So, for him to spend nearly 5 mins on Thurs trashing the right is...hypocritical! pic.twitter.com/Az0Jcfzys9
Considering that the mother is saying conflicting things and there are questions over the report filed by the doctor, it seems reasonable to call details into question. But doing so will make Jake cranky.
Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – NEW YORK MAGAZINE
In the ironically-named Intelligencer vertical at New York Magazine, Jonathan Chait wrote what he felt was a lengthy takedown of activist Christopher Rufo. He quoted Rufo as suggesting to an audience how to create mistrust in school systems in order to justify school choice for parents.
Rufo spotted this and called out Chait and New York Magazine for misquoting him. As he shows, what he had said was that the schools had already created the mistrust he was referring to. The Intelligencer had to go back in and change the quotation and issue a correction at the bottom of Chait's screed.
In brazenly oblivious fashion, Chait admits to the fabrication AND pathetically attempts to place the blame on Rufo for his hackery.
In fact, the misquote said virtually the same thing as the original. The misquote was minor (I will quote both in a follow-up) but we corrected because, unlike Rufo, we have standards. https://t.co/lcsVeMlTRM
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) July 14, 2022
Reporting on the Mirror – CNN
- Next, suggesting unbiased reporting is going to be considered racist.
It was just yesterday that we mentioned a Pew Research survey showing that a majority of journalists agree they do not need to cover both sides of a story. Now, we have a prominent CNN personality declaring that very thing boldly.
One of the driving comments coming from CNN's new management is that they want the network coverage to turn back to reporting journalism, covering all sides of news stories, and giving Republicans equal time on the air. Now, Don Lemon essentially has come forward to state he will not follow the directives of his new superiors.
Bitter Don Lemon lashes out on-air seemingly against new CNN boss Chris Licht as the "people who are in charge of what we...the American press puts out" and decries the desire to treat GOP fairly.
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) July 14, 2022
"Republicans are doing something that is very dangerous to our society," he sneers. pic.twitter.com/jRr7Grz9Q6
Don's contempt for research and looking into all sides of a story seems to stretch to ratings. His own show, broadcast in primetime, fails to draw a significant audience, so his decision to forego the words of his boss in the face of dismal audience numbers is a self-fulfilling destiny.
Low Octane Gas Lighting – POLITICO
The desperate attempts by a sympathetic press to suggest the horrid economic factors are actually good continues. Maybe those making far less can suspend their subscriptions to these news outlets – "...and that's a good thing."
Pay raises are getting smaller. That could be a good thing for workers. https://t.co/kYxgY398WU
— News Caboodle (@newscaboodle) July 13, 2022
DNC PR Firm – THE HILL
The fallout from Dr. First Lady Jill calling Hispanics "tacos" continues, and The Hill is on the case to explain that something negative could result. You see, those Hispanic voters are the property of the Democratic Party, and the result of any Latinos/as voting for a Republican would constitute a theft having taken place by the GOP. Considering people property of a party is, of course, never looked at as a disturbing position to hold.
GOP sees chance to steal Hispanic voters from Democrats https://t.co/exjZNLuLCc pic.twitter.com/k5Dk3XE3QV
— The Hill (@thehill) July 14, 2022
Legalized Press-titution – CNN
- When this is seen as the apex of political commentary, maybe it is time to back away…
In the current Pennsylvania Senate race, things took a ridiculous turn. John Fetterman released a cell phone video that was…well, not an endorsement, exactly, but a snarky dose of insult delivered at his opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz. Chris Cillizza was apparently impressed with this shrill and unfunny delivery from an overlooked reality show figure.
Monster troll move https://t.co/Qajoswsdxf
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) July 14, 2022
Cillizza being in any way impressed by political commentary from Snooki speaks volumes – not about that Senate race, but Cillizza's aptitude.