Tag Archives: cnn

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

by John Whitehouse


Media Matters for America
 

“[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


5 Things To Know About The Next Citizens United
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Watch As The Lies Fall Apart


Too often on cable news, it seems like everything just goes according to plan. What we’re looking at this week are times when guests have stood up for the truth – even if it didn’t make their hosts happy.

John Whitehouse Twitter: @existentialfish

Benghazi Lies, Shot Down

Fox News wanted to spend the first anniversary of the attack on Benghazi the way they had spent the prior year: pushing a cacophany of lies and misinformation. But as Ari Rabin-Havt explains, Fox‘s guests actually knew what they were talking about this time and shot down the lies live on air. http://mm4a.org/17qBk7l Related: The complete explainer of every Benghazi lie, from fake concussions to fake emails and everything in between: http://mm4a.org/17VPz2Q

What’s Happening In Oklahoma

An Oklahoma law that’s currently before the Supreme Court forces doctors to ignore safe medical practice for medication abortions. National Review Online would have you believe that Oklahoma legislators know better than doctors — and that abortion access is not under attack. Meagan Hatcher-Mays explains why they’re wrong. http://mm4a.org/1eFhFnS Related: Every show has its detractors (and CNN’s Crossfire is certainly no exception) but the Daily Caller‘s attack on Stephanie Cutter was rank, sexist, and demonstrative of why the Daily Caller is a completely discredited outlet: http://mm4a.org/17O3jhP

Homophobia And Fox News

Fox Sports fired a contributor in part because of homophobic remarks he made while running as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas. This raises the question: How homophobic does one have to be to get fired from Fox News? Luke Brinker runs down the network’s worst offenders: http://mm4a.org/15TeYHx

FEATURED VIDEO

Despite its best efforts, Fox News’ facade of Benghazi lies occasionally collapsed. Here are 8 times that Fox’s Benghazi charade fell apart: http://mm4a.org/18bK2Jj

NEW MMFA WEB SERIES

We’re excited to launch our original web series After It’s News. A bit cheeky, AIN features original content, an interview, and best of all it’s pretty short. Check it out: http://youtu.be/EQx8nkTBUtU

AMERICAN RACISM

Why are conservative media so often pushing racist arguments? Because the man at the epicenter of it is. A new study shows that Matt Drudge’s race-baiting has skyrocketed since Obama took office. http://mm4a.org/1fGfr5k

IMAGE OF THE WEEK


Jon Stewart On Fox News And Syria

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Wrong about Boston


 

 
Change.org
 
There’s a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it:

New York Post: Run a front page apology for your false reporting on the Boston Marathon Bombing

By Joel B.
brooklyn, New York

When multiple errors, exaggerations and blatant lies are disguised as news, it is the responsibility of the transgressor to formally apologize for their mistakes. The New York Post sensationalized the Boston Marathon Bombing, claimed the death toll was 12, told us they had a Saudi man in custody and eventually ran a front page photo of two innocent boys they claimed the FBI wanted for questioning.  Neither of them were identified by the FBI as suspects.  One of those kids, a 17 year old high school student whose face was recognizable in the photo is devastated and afraid ( I have blurred his face from the graphic in this petition). This sort of irresponsible and damaging reporting is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in a modern and civilized society. The New York Post must apologize and stop “standing by” their false reporting. Because in the end, sensationalized news and headlines may sell papers but publishing pure lies only sells your soul and integrity.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Birth control makes you “sterile or dead”?


 

NARAL Pro-Choice America

 

Katelyn Campbell deserves our respect and encouragement for speaking out against failed “abstinence-only” programs.

Tell her county’s Board of Education to censure her principal for threatening her.

High school principal George Aulenbacher should be ashamed of himself.

First, Aulenbacher and his school district decided to subject his students to a misleading “abstinence-only” program. And then he threatened student Katelyn Campbell when she spoke out against it. To make matters even worse, right now the Kanawha County Board of Education is siding with Principal Aulenbacher.1

This is no way to treat a brave young woman who’s speaking out for what’s right.

Help us put pressure on the Board of Education to censure Aulenbacher, and tell them that students need comprehensive sex education. Your message today will go directly to the Kanawha County Board of Education and superintendent of schools, where it can make a big impact.

Aulenbacher’s school recently brought in an “abstinence educator” who says taking birth control can lead to becoming “sterile or dead.”2

Katelyn fought back against these outrageous lies. She talked with the local newspaper, and even went on CNN.

How did Aulenbacher respond? He tried to shut her down. Katelyn says Aulenbacher called her into his office to berate her, even threatening to call her future college to tell them she has “bad character” and is a “backstabber.”3

At a Board of Education committee meeting last night, it’s been reported that members of the board stuck up for Aulenbacher and the misleading “abstinence-only” program.

It’s ridiculous that a principal would threaten a student like this, and absurd that the Board of Education would stand for it. Tell the Board of Education to censure Aulenbacher and provide students with comprehensive sex education.

Katelyn knows, like we do, that teens need accurate information about abstinence and birth control so that they can make responsible decisions that are right for them. One in four teen girls has an STD, and one third of young women will become pregnant before they’re 20 years old. These young women need information that will keep them healthy.

I applaud Katelyn for speaking out for what she knows is right. She deserves our respect and encouragement, not threats and intimidation.

Thanks for standing up for Katelyn and helping make choice real for young people like her.

Ilyse Hogue
Ilyse G. Hogue
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America