Monday, July 18, 2011

Media Matters Daily Summary 07-18-2011

Conservative Media Misled Light Bulb Consumers At Least 40 Times In 7 Months
In at least 40 instances since the beginning of 2011, conservative media outlets wrongly told consumers that the light bulb efficiency standards scheduled to take effect in 2012 will require them to use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Read More

Right-Wing Media Cheerlead Default To Defeat Obama In 2012
Recently, right-wing media figures have advised congressional Republicans to refuse to compromise in the debt ceiling debate, even allowing the country to default, because, they argue, the consequences of a default could hurt President Obama in 2012. Economists agree that there could be severe consequences to the economy if the debt ceiling is not raised. Read More

Fox & Friends Spreads Slew Of Economic Falsehoods
Co-hosts and guests on Fox & Friends advanced numerous economic falsehoods, including the claims that half of Americans "don't pay any tax"; that President Obama wants to fix the deficit only by increasing taxes; that most Americans do not favor tax increases as part of a deficit deal; and that Obama wants to "use the rich to fix his spending problem."
Read More

Fox News Lobbies For Balanced Budget Amendment That Economic Experts Say Would Hurt The Economy
Fox News has aggressively supported a Republican plan to add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. However, progressive and conservative experts alike have made clear that a balanced budget amendment would make future recessions worse and damage the current recovery. Read More

Big Government Downplays Concern Over Default Despite Warnings From Experts
A post on Andrew Breitbart's Big Government website downplayed concerns that the federal government could default if the debt ceiling is not raised by August 2, claiming that "the whole 'crisis' is as phony as a $3 Federal Reserve note." However, experts agree that if the U.S. were to default as a result of not raising the debt ceiling, it could have significant negative effects on the economy. Read More

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