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Pathological Media Amnesia – CNN
How is Fox to blame for quoting an FBI report?
It’s Brian Stelter. It involves Fox News. It naturally has to have a slanted approach and misdirection in order to make his preferred target look the worst.
The latest story that has the press all abuzz (mostly because it serves as the only positive news item for them in over a month) involves the former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov being convicted of lying to the Feds. He was initially the source providing damning testimony about the Biden family corruption, only to later be found to have fabricated his testimony. The press is giddy as this somehow exonerates the Bidens of any wrongdoing; just ignore the mountain of other evidence still in existence.
In covering this development, Brian Stelter reported in his "Reliable Sources" newsletter how Fox News had described Smirnov as “extremely trustworthy,” using this as a means of criticizing the network’s coverage. He linked to a piece by former CNN newsletter writer Oliver Darcy, but nowhere in that item is this quote found. There is the instance of calling Smirnov “highly credible“ at one time.
That came from an FBI report.
That report was covered by none other than CNN:
The informant, whom the FBI has described as highly credible was “not able to provide any further opinion as the veracity” of the claims, according to the FBI document.
(And, just for fun, CNN alluded to Smirnov being a “trusted FBI source” when he was arrested in February.)
Brian Stelter attempts to paint Fox News as the only outlet to declare Alexander Smirnov a valid informant source.
— Lie-Able Sources (@LieAbleSources) December 18, 2024
Here was Brian’s own network @CNN attesting that the Feds saw Smirnov in that light while taking his testimony. pic.twitter.com/AfEBThMDXR
Matching Media Memorandum – VARIOUS OUTLETS
The reactions to a news outlet called out for defamation are reaching hysterical levels.
Let’s harken back to the days when it was learned that Fox News settled its defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems. There were celebrations seen in the press, with no shortage of pundits declaring that stood as proof that Fox was not a legitimate news outlet.
Now this week we saw ABC News settle its suit with Donald Trump. Is there cheering and pointing out that ABC does not deliver real news? No, the opposite is taking place.
Today, a defamation suit is considered an outrage, and this stands as a genuine threat to press freedoms across the country.
PBS News - I think it potentially sends a really chilling message to anyone who wants to not only scrutinize or criticize the president, but really anyone else who is influenced by Trump.
Politico - As Trump sues, the free press braces.
CNN - If some bend the knee [to Trump], others have to stand up straighter...We work for the viewers! Not for anybody else!
Washington Post - ABC News will never live down this capitulation.
David Axelrod - Welcome to Hungary!
Stealth Story Evolution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
Oh, calling this false information is sooooo this past summer…
Recall about six months back when accusations of “cheap fake videos” were manipulated in lying fashion to display Joe Biden as a mentally-eroding doddering shell? (Ah yes, the press was so young and naive back then…)
The New York Times was right along with that misinformation campaign, telling us these unedited videos were deceptive and used to politically harm a sharp and incisive thinker like Joe Biden.
Today, The Times comes around to a glaring reality, and admits that Joe is, in fact, already out to pasture – and really, did anyone actually believe he was going to be able to make a second term work?
Time is catching up with Mr. Biden. He looks a little older and a little slower with each passing day. Aides say he remains plenty sharp in the Situation Room... But it is hard to imagine that he seriously thought he could do the world’s most stressful job for another four years.
NY TIMES (June): “Anyone saying Joe Biden is mentally unfit and decrepit is a complete liar!”
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) December 18, 2024
NY TIMES (December): “Well yeah, there was no way he was going to continue on, who honestly thought THAT?!” pic.twitter.com/k7jcUbfwPp
Presentation Paradox – POLITICO
I’m sure she just did not spend enough on her campaign, right?
The first week of this month, Politico was looking at the prospects of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be a Democratic candidate for the presidency in 2028. In a short time, that bid has already become derailed.
Seems she might just be a tough sale, given her own party voted against her to become a ranking member for the Dems on the Oversight Committee.
Talk about not aging well.
— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) December 18, 2024
Just over 2 weeks ago @Politico was staging @AOC to become president.
Today we see the Democrats do not even want her running a committee. pic.twitter.com/GnyNEXyfZP
Anti-Social Media – THE NEW YORK TIMES / BLUESKY
Maybe if the message was written in braille.
Annie Karni is a New York Times Congressional correspondent. She feels as if the migration taking place of journalists and Democrats to the social media platform BlueSky is a cagey move.
Posting a statement only on BlueSky (Cheney, AOC) is now its own statement.
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) December 17, 2024
It seems she – and they – are of the mindset that after getting pasted in the last election, the cagey move is to head off to an insulated environment where only specific narratives are approved, and blocking and suspending those who hold differing opinions is the norm. Sure, a rigidly controlled echo chamber will surely broaden their voting prospects.