Feb
01
2013

FAIR TV: The Beltway Bubble, Syria Stenography, Iran's "Meddling"

This week on FAIR TV, we look at the bubble that Joe Scarborough and David Gregory live in– where the government must make "big" spending cuts, and Paul Krugman doesn't know economic. Also, does ABC's Martha Raddatz understand what the government is telling her about Syria? And Reuters grants a U.S. government official anonymity to complain about Iran meddling in other countries.

Jan
18
2013

FAIR TV: France vs. Spain, NYT Erases West Bank Occupation, Wall Street Journal's Tax Graphic

On the new FAIR TV: The Washington Post says France had better slash wages and benefits in order to be more like Spain. Why would they want to do that? The New York Times erases a headline referring to the occupation of the West Bank. And when the Wall Street Journal wanted to show  what the new tax deal meant for "you"–who exactly did they have in mind?

Jan
16
2013

Journalism by–and for–the Sponsors

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The headline of a recent article posted at the website of the Atlantic–"David Miscavige Leads Scientology to Milestone Year"–probably tipped readers that something was more than a little off. It wasn't an article, really; above the headline, in a yellow box, was the phrase "Sponsor Content." But is what the Atlantic did–and quickly apologized for–really unusual?

Jan
11
2013

Hugo Chavez: Why Does He Hate Us?

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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez might be excused for harboring some hard feelings towards a government that helped to try to overthrow your own. Which may be why U.S. reports rarely bring up the 2002 coup attempt–and when they do, treat Washington's involvement in it as another nutty Chavez conspiracy theory.

Jan
09
2013

Ed 'Reformers' Fumble Logic With Foolish Football Analogy

Robert Griffin III (photo: Keith Allison)

"It’s hard to watch Robert Griffin III play football and not think about education policy." Education "reformers" Michelle Rhee and Joel Klein begin an op-ed with this dubious claim, then go on to flesh out their absurd football/education analogy.

Jan
08
2013

Is John Kiriakou a Whistleblower?

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The Obama administration has pursued an unprecedented campaign to prosecute whistleblowers. The fact that John Kirikaou is facing such punishment reinforces the sense that he should be viewed as such a whistleblower, someone who was trying to expose the CIA's torture practices. But was that really his motivation?

Jan
04
2013

FAIR TV: Media Cliff Concern for the Wealthy, Syrian Cluster Bombs vs. American Ones

Today's episode of FAIR TV– please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Dec
21
2012

FAIR TV: Second Amendment, Fracking, Syria's Mobile Weapons Labs

In the wake of the Newtown massacre, media are talking about the Second Amendment. But are they getting it right? Also: The New York Times magazine covers fracking– but mostly the upside–and David Ignatius thinks Syria as mobile weapons labs.  Tune in–and spread the word. 

Dec
14
2012

FAIR TV: ABC's Disney "Exclusive," Syria WMDs, Robin Hood Tax

Syria's chemical weapons threat– is it Iraq all over again? With all the talk about the budget, why won't media talk about taxing Wall Street? And ABC breaks big "news"… about a Disney theme park. All of that on FAIR TV this week.

Dec
13
2012

Does Hugo Chavez Keep Fooling Venezuelans?

The New York Times updates readers today (12/13/12) on the health status of left-wing Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, and the political implications for his country. But the paper starts out by suggesting that the people who keep electing him must have some kind of problem.  According to the Times' William Neuman,  life in Venezuela is pretty dismal. Christmas tree shipments were fouled up, a government ice cream factory closed down,  and "all of this happened while the economy was growing — before the slowdown many predict next year." He writes: Such frustrations are typical in Venezuela, for rich and poor [...]

Dec
12
2012

Politico Reveals Shocking Economic Truths

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Politico has discovered the perfect fix for the American economy–a set of policies that would create a jobs boom,if our political leaders would summon the courage to act. What's the plan? Cut Social Security and Medicare, lower corporate taxes, and encourage more fracking.

Dec
11
2012

Jeffrey Goldberg, WMD Expert?

FireShot Screen Capture #024 - 'Meet The Press_ The latest on the crisis in Syria' - www_msnbc_msn_com_id_3032608_#50136015

When Meet the Press needed an expert to talk about Syria's chemical weapons, they turned to Jeffrey Goldberg– who got Iraq's WMDs spectacularly wrong.

Dec
07
2012

FAIR TV: Bradley Manning Blackout, Tax Hike Spin, Covering Poverty– and $450 Starbucks Gift Cards

The stories that came out due to the information Bradley Manning allegedly leaked have been explosive, front page news. But his trial? Not so much. And Maria Bartiromo told Meet the Press that tax increases on the wealthy are really tax increases for everyone. And why was a Starbucks $450 gift card front page news at USA Today– right underneath a stirring piece about poverty? FAIR TV breaks it down: