• Will the Media Reset After the Election or Are We Stuck With This Tabloid Stuff?

    November 3, 2016

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in: Democracy

    edward-r-murrow

    The venerable New York Times ran a story saying Donald Trump lies about the height of his buildings.


    For no apparent reason, the Times resurrected some information from 1979 saying Trump insisted on counting the basement levels of his signature Trump Tower in the overall count of how many floors the building has. The Times compares this lie to “reports” that Trump adds an inch to his actual body height in his bio materials, and also repeated the gag line that he boasted about how long his penis is (no word on whether it is or is not actually longer than expected.)

    You have to wade down to paragraph 12 to learn other New York developers use the same count-the-basements levels gimmick to be able to advertise their buildings as taller. There is absolutely no news.



    The Russians

    Head over to Slate, which published an “investigative piece” alleging a Trump computer server was secretly communicating with a Russian bank. The story had previously been debunked by the New York Times and The Intercept, but Slate ran it as if they had uncovered the smoking gun proving Trump is under the control of the Russians.

    At Mother Jones, another article alleged that an anonymous, former intelligence officer provided the FBI with information on a Russian scheme to help Trump win the presidency.

    “There’s no way to tell whether the FBI has confirmed or debunked any of the allegations contained in the former spy’s memos,” the story said. “But a Russian intelligence attempt to co-opt or cultivate a presidential candidate would mark an even more serious operation than the hacking.”

    One more example, from Vox, which wrote without even bothering to source it at all “There is basically conclusive evidence that Russia is interfering in the US election, and that this interference has been designed to damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign. There is strong evidence linking Trump’s foreign policy advisers to Russia, and Trump’s stated policy ideas are extremely favorable to Russian interests.”

    Journalism Much?

    I’ve chosen these examples because they are from publications that have in the past enjoyed decent reputations for reporting, and because these stories were run as “news,” not opinion columns, where the standards go right through the floor. Even Mother Jones, which clearly works left-of-center, used to do so with some solid journalism.

    Not any more.

    These places (never find fringe publications) are now working with the same standards once reserved for reporting on aliens at Roswell, Elvis sightings and the Illuminati New World Order. It is apparently now within the bounds of mainstream journalism to build a story out of, well, nothing, such as a factoid from 1979, or essentially accuse a presidential candidate of treason based on a single, anonymous source, or claim the Russians have taken over our electoral process based on no sources at all.



    And Clinton…

    On the other side, reporting on Clinton by many of these same publications swerves between hagiography and poo-pooing away anything unfavorable. Emails? Who cares! Questions about what her accomplishments as Secretary of State really were? If you ask, you hate women. Pay-for-Play with the Clinton Foundation? Hah, everybody does it, it doesn’t matter. The standard seems to be absent a notarized receipt for a donation matching an arms sale, or a criminal conviction, nothing matters.



    Next?

    So be it. The media has fully sh*t the bed this election. That’s where we find ourselves.

    But what’s next? Will the media reset itself after November 8, or will they run President Trump is Putin’s dog stories for the full term? Will President Clinton be given a pass on, well, everything, for four years, with apologists and explainers on the front page of the Times, never mind in editorials?

    At what point will the media dig themselves out of this and start real reporting again?



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    Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) in their private capacity.

    • Recent Comments

    • Mitch said...

      1

      Money!!!!
      Who owns what. Who owes who. Who was bought.

      As “transparent” as the SCOTUS decision on corporate donations to campaigns.

      Mainstream……. It has gone flipping Nuts. Feed the perspective that will get them more Money.

      And…. It is exactly what Hitler did….. Control the information….. Control the “conversation”……. Control the media….. Control the information….. Once that is done……. Waking people up becomes near impossible.

      But…..
      As two contrary points….

      The National Enquirer did publish the ‘Brangalena’ ( that is how that’s spelled??? Huh) (like who really cares). mess … What three weeks before anyone else.

      And….. Peter….. Did ya have to throw Roswell in?????
      I mean, come on….. That would be as cool as ….. Yes…. You know its coming…….

      ZOMBIES!!!

      Hahahahaha.

      M

      11/3/16 6:19 AM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      2

      PS.

      Not the Brad Pitt, ‘World War Z” zombies…. Those would be just no fun…. The walking dead, george Romero version please.

      M

      11/3/16 6:25 AM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      3

      PS 2

      Yesterday….. Very long day…..
      While driving to BFE…..listening to one of the radio talking heads….
      Clown did bring up an interesting thought…..

      The hollyweird crowd. The super rich.

      With Crump running…… He has broken another threshold…….

      What is to stop one of the hollyweird super egos from running next time…..
      Duvall, pachino, Pitt, jolie, foster, fox, etc……

      After all….. We have a tendency…… To forget they are ACTORS…… And don’t really know a damn thing…… Exactly like politicians.

      But…… They would win in a landsilde.

      Just a thought….

      M

      11/3/16 6:32 AM | Comment Link

    • John Poole said...

      4

      I self emancipated from the idea that a “free” press will save America long ago. The NYTimes has the same credibility and objectivety as a horoscope analysis or palm reader’s words at the local faire. No big loss.

      11/3/16 8:32 AM | Comment Link

    • Kyzl Orda said...

      5

      Painful questions for a painful situation. RIP independent, fair, and free media. It’s a brave new world 2.0, comrades.

      11/3/16 9:05 AM | Comment Link

    • bloodypitchfork said...

      6

      “At what point will the media dig themselves out of this and start real reporting again?”

      Asked by John Swinton circa 1880 after giving this dinner speech…
      quote:
      “There is no such thing, at this date of the world’s history, in America as an independent press. You know it and I know it.

      There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in
      print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries
      for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my
      paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone.

      The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify;to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread.

      You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.”

      The question is answered…circa 2016

      MSM reporting.. zero, zilch, nada….

      http://www.democracynow.org/2016/10/24/arrested_actor_shailene_woodley_why_do

      11/3/16 9:57 AM | Comment Link

    • bloodypitchfork said...

      7

      Meanwhile, Americans born post 9/11 don’t even know we are still fighting a war in Afghanistan.

      11/3/16 10:17 AM | Comment Link

    • bloodypitchfork said...

      8

      Oh, but damn, Murika sure knows about the big whingding 50yr Country Music star slapppaback. …with BEYONCE!!!

      http://people.com/country/cmas-2016-what-you-didnt-see-tv/

      , Hank must be rolling in his grave.

      whatta fucking crock.

      11/3/16 10:22 AM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      9

      Pitchfork,

      Shit. The Swinton quote….. Shit…. Very elegant way of stating what we bitch about every day.
      In America 2.0. We should put it on the front doors of the White house.
      Make sure no one forgets what’s really up.

      M

      11/3/16 11:11 AM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      10

      Well…..

      This is going to cause SERIOUS trouble. Serious trouble.

      http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=3810744.proteus.fma

      M

      11/3/16 12:41 PM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      11

      Yep…..
      She can’t recall…. Did nothing everyone else did.

      http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=3810743.proteus.fma

      Like the word treason.

      M

      11/3/16 12:44 PM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      12

      Fair, honest, open elections….

      Yep…. Anyone can vote….. Often…. A lot….. Shit.

      http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=3810822.proteus.fma

      M

      11/3/16 12:46 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      13

      I wonder how Max Headroom will vote? Did he slip the questions to Donna Brazile? Is she still the head of the DNC ?

      11/3/16 1:56 PM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      14

      Yes, Chuck….. I miss Max Headroom too.

      11/3/16 4:02 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      15

      What will we the people do after the election, no matter what? This is the beginning, no matter who wins. The MSM is not filled with journalists. The media is controlled. Right now they are only worried on how to suck up to the next powers that be for profit and to keep a job. What will the talking points be? Who will report Truth. The People Will. Not Hollywood/MSM. Not the MIC. Not the D and R monopolies who are Evil and Nasty. Wage Peace and Justice. Maybe I won’t vote! I am ready for the next battle, for the people (is that today or next weds.?).

      11/3/16 8:13 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      16

      In 24 hrs. we have the biggest newsday to dump headlines before an election. Will it be a false flag? Lies about one or two candidates? Will the big news date be Nov. 5th? Stay tuned… Now back to our sponsors.

      11/3/16 8:39 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      17

      Expect U.S., to be owned after the election. But… We need a million people against Trump or Clinton to March on DC. Bernie did not have the balls to do this against Hillary with Jill Stein. I do not care if the Dems who stopped protesting war with Obomber join in against Trump if he wins, or Trump supporters joining a protest against Hillary winning. Rise up after the election. Shut it down. Have a nice night! Enjoy……………………..(I approve of this message) Guy Fawkes/2016

      11/3/16 8:57 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      18

      Fox news is the only channel that covers WikiLeaks! Wow, what a change. The others are so “Progressive”.

      11/3/16 9:04 PM | Comment Link

    • bloodypitchfork said...

      19

      Mitch said…

      “Well…..

      This is going to cause SERIOUS trouble. Serious trouble.”

      Hahahahahaha. Mitch.. bingo. British democracy..meet.. the British Oligarchy.

      sheeezusfuck.

      bartender..a pint of Guinness and two shots of YourVoteDidn’tMeanDiddlySquat.

      11/3/16 9:05 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      20

      Feel good every couple years when you go into a booth, and keep the campaigns going for two years in between so MSM can profit and spread propaganda for both corporate MIC sides. What a Racket. As Smedley said “War is a Racket”. Vote often!!!

      11/3/16 9:12 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      21

      (deleted) I approve of this message

      11/3/16 9:27 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      22

      The Brexit supporters will get in the streets. Stop the 1% worldwide!

      11/3/16 9:30 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      23

      Sorry, I regret posting or venting too much.

      11/3/16 9:56 PM | Comment Link

    • Bruce said...

      24

      Moar $PECTACLE$ ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBMs8JlYcgQ

      11/3/16 10:13 PM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      25

      Chuck…. What ya sorry fer?
      Nothin the rest of us dumbas’s anit done befer.

      Ya, see…. We dos it like granpa says to do its.

      And, kind Sir, all voting does any longer, is add to your profile and…. Of course…. Place you on the jurors “duty” list.

      M

      11/3/16 10:58 PM | Comment Link

    • teri said...

      26

      They’ve already written the headlines that Clinton “won”. They are currently working on the ones that say we have to nuke Russia because of [fill in the blank].

      Hey, for the mathematically minded, check out Bev Harris’ investigations into the electronic voting machines (summarized in the following, with Harris’ video reports embedded):

      https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/biggest-election-fraud-in-history-discovered-in-the-united-states/

      The machines run on an algorithm that counts votes as percentages of a vote, rather than 1 (one) vote. I.e., your vote might count as 7/8 of a vote or as 1/5 of a vote, etc., depending on how the machine is set. Over at nakedcapitalism, they have been talking about Harris’ research for months in the comments sections.

      11/4/16 5:33 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      27

      A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims…but accomplices. G.Orwell

      11/4/16 10:02 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      28

      Do I really regret speaking in the moment?!!! …………..Off to listen to “The Who, We Won’t Be Fooled Again…” No No . Vote often. Get on your knees and pray ! God is Dog spelled backwards, and this is real! What real, of what Hollywood control Movie for profit of the 1%? Kanye/2020

      11/4/16 11:18 AM | Comment Link

    • Helen Marshall said...

      29

      The only credible reason for Russia to try to affect our current election is to prevent the occupation of the White House by a woman who clearly intends to provoke regime change in Russia, regardless of the possibility of a nuclear conflict as the result. But that’s not what these cheap shills are saying.

      Be very afraid.

      11/4/16 11:35 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      30

      So glad my only kids are cats. Free the Embassy Cat, and others. TY Helen.

      11/4/16 11:46 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      31

      I’m with Chelsea Manning ( Not the Hedge Fund Clinton One).

      11/4/16 11:48 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      32

      pressure cooker, enjoy, poof, five eyes, have a nice day, enjoy, vote,often,$rule….will work for TRUTH

      11/4/16 11:50 AM | Comment Link

    • John Poole said...

      33

      Pitch. Damn I don’t watch the CMA awards but had I known
      Beyonce was going to join the Dixie Chicks I would have stayed up all night to catch Beyonce’s sad desperate need to stay “relevant” even to truckers with CB radios. NOT!

      11/4/16 11:55 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      34

      Time out… Who is winning the World Series? Rahm?

      11/4/16 11:56 AM | Comment Link

    • John Poole said...

      35

      Bumper sticker: Chelsea for Ambassador to Libya. What the hell difference does it make?

      11/4/16 11:57 AM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      36

      Looking ForWar(D), The Obama Library Foundation ? (Is it connected to Drones Killing?) Have a nice Day!

      11/4/16 12:00 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      37

      My family members who have sons serving, do not want to see two guys walking up the path. How is Jordon going? Wage Peace.

      11/4/16 12:08 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      38

      What does Israel want? (deleted) TY PVB. BDS…

      11/4/16 12:09 PM | Comment Link

    • chuck said...

      39

      Know Jill? No War.

      11/4/16 12:25 PM | Comment Link

    • John Poole said...

      40

      Obama is calling Trump unfit and almost unhuman. There is terror in the eyes of Obama at the prospect that Trump might win. Trump will go after Hillary and Obama is a card carrying member of the Hillary Bill crimine syndicate. Unlike Obama who gave all the financial meltdown criminals a pass Obama fears Trump might actually hold wrongdoers accountable. No matter that Trump has only a slim chance it is enjoyable watching Obama spazz and rant about Trump. Obama only makes himself look the fool.

      11/4/16 5:51 PM | Comment Link

    • teri said...

      41

      OMG. They really HAVE already written the election “results” headlines. Guess those voting machine algorithms are fairly infallible once they’ve been inserted into the machines. These guys even have the percentages tabulated already.

      http://www.nationofchange.org/2016/11/04/nbc-local-news-accidentally-posts-us-election-results-week-early-shows-clinton-win/

      11/5/16 4:54 AM | Comment Link

    • Mitch said...

      42

      Teri,

      SHIT!!!!

      For so MANY reasons…. Just where do you start cussig ???

      M

      11/5/16 6:56 AM | Comment Link

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