CNN gives radio-host exemption to birther, progressive-smearing Mark Williams
Despite CNN president Jon Klein's reported memo to "avoid booking talk radio hosts" because "[c]omplex issues require world class reporting," the September 10 edition of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 hosted self-described " 'activist' radio talk show host" Mark Williams to discuss health care. On CNN, Williams -- who has previously called President Obama and Jimmy Carter "Nazis"; has advanced the discredited smear that Obama lacks a valid birth certificate; and has called a female CNN reporter a "Barbie Doll" -- claimed that Obama is embracing "socialist policies" and compared patients who were denied coverage by insurance companies due to pre-existing conditions to drivers with DWI convictions being rejected by car insurance companies. Read More
Fox figures ignore health bill's ban on subsidies for illegal immigrants
After Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) accused President Obama of lying for stating that health care reform "would not apply to those who are here illegally," media have cited a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, highlighted by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), which found that under the House bill, illegal immigrants would not be prohibited from purchasing insurance through the health insurance exchange established by the bill. However, Fox News' Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren and Fox Business Network's Peter Barnes ignored that the bill would require illegal immigrants to purchase insurance with their own money, just as they currently are able to do for private insurance, and that the CRS report they are citing specifically notes that the bill prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving federal subsidies to assist low-income families purchasing insurance. Read More
"Voice of the opposition": Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House
Since Barack Obama's inauguration, Fox News has frequently engaged in political advocacy against the Democratic Congress and White House. Specifically, Fox News personalities have promoted and encouraged viewers to "join" tea party protests, Glenn Beck's organization The 9-12 Project and its September 12 "March on Washington," and town hall meetings; engaged in a witch hunt seeking to "get rid of" Obama administration officials and nominees; implored viewers to call Congress and the White House to protest Democratic policies; and celebrated "victor[ies]" when Democratic legislation has been stalled. Read More
Todd fails to "call out" Kyl's criticism that distorted Obama's comments
NBC's Chuck Todd uncritically aired Sen. Jon Kyl's (R-AZ) distortion of President Obama's September 9 address to Congress, in which Kyl falsely suggested that Obama had said, "If you disagree with us, we're going to call you out." But Obama did not promise to "call out" those who disagree with him; he said: "If you misrepresent what's in the [health care reform] plan, we will call you out [emphasis added]." Read More
Media haven't learned from their "death panel" mistakes
The media's reaction to Republican Congressman Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's health care speech to Congress illustrated two bad habits that encourage exactly the kind of political behavior reporters claim to dislike. Read More
Fox witch hunt attacks Senate-confirmed nominees as unaccountable to Congress
As part of Fox News' witch hunt against Obama administration "czars," Fox News asserted that "czars are not subjected to congressional oversight." In fact, many of the Obama administration officials the network has labeled "czars" have been confirmed by the Senate or were appointed to positions created through legislation passed by Congress; additionally, a number of the officials had counterparts in the Bush administration. Read More
The Friday Rush: Limbaugh health care falsehoods here, there, and everywhere
"It was disgusting, and it was reprehensible, and it was predictable." Read More
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