“[J]ournalists have been suckered into embracing ‘balance’ and ‘neutrality’ at all costs, and the consequences of their choice in an era of political extremism will only get worse and worse.” – Dan Froomkin on coverage of the government shutdown.

John Whitehouse
Twitter: @existentialfish

The False Equivalency Reporting

Tired of the false equivalency reporting about the government shutdown and looming sovereign debt crisis? So are we. Here are just some of the worst examples of this type of reporting: http://mm4a.org/1bI9RTO
Related: Time‘s entertainment writer James Poniewozik explains succinctly why false equivalence matters during this crisis: http://ti.me/16z3v50 While her colleagues honestly report on the severe consequences of default, CNN’s Erin Burnett pushes the GOP line: http://mm4a.org/1a9ePCi

Even 60 Minutes Fell For This

It was disappointing when NPR fell for a right-wing attack on the Social Security disability program. Now, even the venerable 60 Minutes has fallen for it — causing disability rights groups to condemn the report. Hannah Groch-Begley explains: http://mm4a.org/199FcLi
Related: As expected, Fox News pounced on this immediately, without noting the falling number of such claims: http://mm4a.org/GLMQAF

Fox Changes Its Tune

Fox News pushed Republicans to shut down the government, with Sean Hannity even telling them to “hold the line.” But now that the shutdown is unpopular, Hannity is trying to shift blame to President Obama: http://mm4a.org/19jlE5u
Related: “I want to punish these people.” That’s how Fox’s Stuart Varney talks about federal employees currently furloughed. http://mm4a.org/175tiOM Laura Ingraham joined in, saying that she is “just beginning to enjoy” the shutdown because of how it is punishing federal employees: http://bit.ly/16z73nX

FEATURED VIDEO

Yes, Fox News actually pushed a satirical story that Barack Obama was personally funding a Muslim museum during the government shutdown: http://mm4a.org/1fQXFBP

WEEKLY WTF

Fox News had Zeeda Andrews on to promote her truck rally in DC. Fox didn’t mention that she believes Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden are the same person: http://mm4a.org/1amKLV1

INSIDE THE GUN LOBBY

Alex Zaitchik attended Alan Gottlieb’s Gun Rights Policy Conference. He found what the gun lobby is secretly afraid of, and what they’re planning next: http://mm4a.org/15k1RTO

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

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