Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Media Matters Daily Summary 04-18-12

Right-Wing Media Cover Up Senate Republicans' Obstructionism
Following the release of a report on the legislative business conducted by the Senate, conservative media have tried to cover up Republican obstructionism in order to label the Democratic-controlled Senate as "lazy" and "do-nothing." In fact, Senate Republicans have repeatedly used procedural tricks to block measures that would otherwise have passed the Senate. Read More
"Skin In The Game": Fox Calls For Tax Hikes On Working Americans While Protecting The Rich
Fox News personalities have repeatedly attacked the Buffett Rule, which would require the rich to pay their fair share in taxes. At the same time, Fox News personalities have pushed for tax increases on the poor, arguing that they should have more "skin in the game." Read More
Federal Study On Effectiveness Of Food Stamps Nearly Absent From TV News
On April 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published a study finding that food stamps reduced the "prevalence, depth, and severity" of poverty between 2000 and 2009 and that their effects were especially strong during the recession, thanks to the stimulus. Television news outlets have all but ignored this story-- it has been mentioned only once on broadcast and cable news programming since April 9. Read More
No Oxygen: Michigan Media Silent As State Passes ALEC Bill Limiting Compensation For Asbestos Victims
Last week, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) approved a bill that curbs the ability of asbestos-exposure victims to recover losses from some companies that are legally responsible. The bill was pushed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Crown Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 corporation trying to legislate its way out of compensating cancer and mesothelioma victims who were exposed to asbestos by a company it purchased. According to a Media Matters analysis, Michigan's two largest newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and the Grand Rapids Press, have been utterly silent on the bill from introduction to its passage. Read More
Fox Falsely Claims Obama Opposes "Giving The Middle Class A Tax Break"
Fox hosts attacked President Obama for his opposition to Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's Small Business Tax Cut Act, claiming the bill would give "the middle class a tax break" and "creates thousands of jobs." In fact, Obama has threatened to veto Cantor's bill specifically because it does not target the middle class; as experts have said, Cantor's bill would disproportionately benefit the wealthy and create few to no new jobs. Read More
Dodd-Frank Does Regulate Oil Speculation -- But The Financial Industry Is Suing To Block It
Fox News commentators have attacked the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law by falsely suggesting that it doesn't address oil speculation. In fact, Dodd-Frank does address speculation, and regulations on oil speculation have been issued. However, financial industry groups are suing to block them. Read More

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