Monthly Archives: August 2010

Deficit Panic Continues at NYT

Posted on 08/31/2010 by Julie Hollar

The New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg writes today (8/31/10) about the possible steps Obama might take to bolster the economy: With voters angry about government spending, and economists divided about just what approach is the correct one, such aggressive … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, New York Times | Tagged | 5 Comments

The Katrina Story You Don't See So Much in Anniversary Coverage

Posted on 08/31/2010 by Julie Hollar

In the coverage of Hurricane Katrina's fifth anniversary, you'll find several obligatory mentions in the corporate media of the still-decimated Lower Ninth Ward, but you'd be hard pressed to find anything as direct or damning as what you find in … Continue reading →

Posted in Race | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Disappearing Palestinian Deaths in the NYT

Posted on 08/28/2010 by Jim Naureckas

It really is offensive for commentators to use the word "violence" to mean "violence against one side in a conflict." As in Martin Indyk's op-ed in the New York Times yesterday (8/27/10), which argues that there is "For Once, Hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel/Palestine, New York Times | Tagged | 11 Comments

USA Today Still Rewriting the Iraq War

Posted on 08/27/2010 by Peter Hart

"Seven Years of War Provides Many Answers" is USA Today's front-page headline (8/27/10) over a story by Jim Michaels and Mimi Hall that attempts to take stock of the Iraq War. But one issue that the paper can't seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq, USA Today | Tagged | 71 Comments

Help Us, John McCain–You're David Broder's Only Hope!

Posted on 08/26/2010 by Peter Hart

Some in the media just can't let go of John McCain. David Broder's column today is reallyheadlined, "John McCain, Your Country Is Calling." He explains that he wasn't"bothered by the doctrinal compromises the senator made to convince Arizona voters that … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, War/Military, Washington Post | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Matt Bai's Outrageous Slam on Social Security

Posted on 08/26/2010 by Peter Hart

New York Times reporter Matt Bai writes a piece today (8/26/10) singling out a Democratic congressmemberwho talks aboutcuts to the federal budget. Thisis presumably an unusual, newsworthything worth writing about–hence the headline, "One Liberal Voice Dares to Say, Cut the … Continue reading →

Posted in New York Times, Social Security | Tagged | 25 Comments

NYT Piece on Candidate's Shoes Is Irrelevant, Trivial and Sexist–According to Its Author

Posted on 08/26/2010 by Jim Naureckas

The New York Times' Susan Dominus, writing an article (8/24/10) entirely about a congressional candidate's footwear, makes an attempt at self-inoculation: I know. We, the news media, are not supposed to ask female candidates about their hairstyle or their choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Gender, New York Times | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Brian Williams Rehashes Katrina Violence Myth

Posted on 08/25/2010 by Julie Hollar

Dateline NBC (8/22/10) did a special look back at Hurricane Katrina last weekend in anticipation of the disaster's five-year anniversary. Watching the collage of 2005 footage and Brian Williams' present-day commentary, I was struck by his characterization of the violence: … Continue reading →

Posted in NBC | Tagged , | 24 Comments

The 'Broader' Questions About the Secret War in Yemen

Posted on 08/25/2010 by Peter Hart

"CIA Sees Increased Threat in Yemen" is the Washington Post's headline today (8/25/10) over astory thattells of a"sober new assessment" of Al Qaeda-related activities that has "helped prompt senior Obama administration officials to call for an escalation of U.S. operations … Continue reading →

Posted in New York Times, Washington Post | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Killing Civilians and Tribal Sensitivities

Posted on 08/25/2010 by Peter Hart

Yesterday's New York Times (8/24/10) broughtthis headline: "Afghans Say NATO Troops Killed 8 Civilians in Raid." About thoseclaims, we were told this: Maj. Michael Johnson, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force, as the NATO force is known, said … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, New York Times | 8 Comments

Fox News Finds 'Ground Zero Mosque' Financier…Close to Home

Posted on 08/24/2010 by Peter Hart

Starting about a minute in,this clip from last night's Daily Show is must-see media criticism. On the Fox News morning show Fox & Friends, it is revealed thatthe Kingdom Foundation is a dangerous Saudi organization that, according to guest Dan … Continue reading →

Posted in Fox News, Media Criticism | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Conflicts and Transparency at the Washington Post

Posted on 08/24/2010 by Peter Hart

Washington Post ombud Andy Alexander devoted his August 22 piece to lauding how the paper handles storiesabout its parent company and itsvarious business entanglements–which, as he explains, are rather extensive. The Washington Post Co. owns Newsweek, several television stations, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Media Business, Washington Post | Tagged | 7 Comments

What Do War Critics Think? Well, Ask One

Posted on 08/20/2010 by Peter Hart

During an August 18segment about the Iraq War, anchor Brian Williams said (emphasis added): Let's bring into this conversation retired US Army Colonel Jack Jacobs. He's a decorated combat veteran, a recipient of the Medal of Honor and, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq, War/Military | Tagged | 20 Comments

O'Reilly Invents Muslim Silence on 9/11 Attacks

Posted on 08/20/2010 by Peter Hart

Fox News Channel continues to mislead viewers aboutthe "Ground Zero Mosque."On the August 18 broadcast of the O'Reilly Factor, host Bill O'Reilly countered the argument that there would be no controversy over a Jewish or Christian house of worship by … Continue reading →

Posted in Fox News | Tagged , | 26 Comments

Open up the Afghanistan War Media Debate

Posted on 08/19/2010 by Peter Hart

Public support for the Afghanistan war continues to drop. Casualties mount. So why is NBC's Meet the Press giving viewers a parade of hawkish pundits and military officials? If you haven't already done so, please join FAIR's call to broaden … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, CBS, Media Criticism, NBC | Tagged , | 6 Comments