This week on FAIR TV: Why is raising the minimum wage considered "divisive"? And a Washington Post pundit gives Obama State of the Union advice: Skip climate change and go big on the deficit. Plus a look at the way the New York Times framed police brutality in a story about Charles Dorner. Remember: If you like what you see, share it on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to FAIR's YouTube feed.
Feb
14
2013
If There's a 'War Against Boys,' Why Are Men Still Winning?
By 27 Comments
Christina Hoff Sommers, who played a starring role in the anti-feminist backlash of the 1990s, is back again with a new edition of her book The War Against Boys. Originally subtitled How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men, it's now relabeled How Misguided Policies Are Harming Our Young Men; she now stresses–in a major New York Times op-ed (2/3/13) and a 10-minute one-on-one interview on NPR's Tell Me More (2/12/13)–that changing schools to help boys do better educationally is just a question of "basic fairness." She writes in the Times: That boys struggle with school is hardly news…. Over [...]
Feb
14
2013
On Transgender Healthcare, NYT Reports Tree, Ignores Forest
By 10 Comments
The New York Times reports that in the last few years, several elite U.S. universities have begun to cover sex reassignment surgery and/or hormones for transgender students. On the one hand, it's great that they're reporting news like this, and after years of extremely disrespectful coverage of transgender issues, it feels like a victory that their "balance" is limited to noting that "the idea still seems radical to plenty of people." On the other hand, not a single trans-identified person is quoted. But what I really want to highlight here is how this kind of article utterly fails to connect some [...]
Feb
14
2013
Is John Boehner a Labor Economist?
By 5 Comments
Republican leader John Boehner must have some expertise when it comes to labor economics. Either that, or the New York Times is allowing him to make misleading claims without being challenged.
Feb
13
2013
The 'Politically Divisive' Minimum Wage
By 6 Comments
It's important to step back and figure out what "divisive" means here. Republicans and corporate interests are opposed to this idea, but the American people say they overwhelmingly support the concept of paying people at the bottom of the wage scale more.
Feb
07
2013
Millionaires Are–or Perhaps Aren't–Leaving California
By 3 Comments
The early headline on a New York Times story (2/7/13) by Adam Nagourney was, "Millionaires Consider Leaving California Over Taxes." At some point they changed the headline, probably because there's nothing in the article that would support it. But the problems with the piece remain. The story it's trying to tell is about a new tax increase on income over $1 million. Combined with federal/state taxes, the tax bill can really start to add up for the super wealthy–an "unpleasant surprise for the rich." I feel as bad for them as you do, no doubt. The point of the article, [...]
Feb
06
2013
An 'Informal Arrangement' to Not Report the News
By 22 Comments
The Washington Post reported some news that it's known for years, but had decided not tell us until now: The CIA has a drone base in Saudi Arabia. Their rationale for withholding this information was simple: The government didn't want them to. And from what the Post is telling us today, they weren't the only ones.
Feb
04
2013
When 'Confirmed' Means 'An Official Told Me So'
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NBC's Richard Engel report that "what we've been able to confirm" is that a Syrian convoy attacked by Israel "was packed with fairly sophisticated Russian anti-aircraft missiles." It is highly doubtful that Engel could "confirm" any such thing–unless by "confirm" he means that NBC is confirming that government sources are claiming what they are claiming.
Jan
22
2013
Journalists Say Obama Still Too Mean to Republicans
By 20 Comments
Since the consensus seems to be that Obama's inaugural address was actually a statement of a bold, progressive vision for his second term, it's not a surprise that some in the corporate media are upset. Obama's words were seen as particularly injurious to Republicans, who presumably already feel bad enough as it is.
Jan
18
2013
NYT Leaves Readers High and Dry on Causes of Mississippi Drought
By 6 Comments
Nowhere in the New York Times' discussion of the reaction to what an accompanying graphic calls the "historic drought in 2012" is there any mention of what is changing our history: the climate change caused by global warming brought on by human alteration of Earth's atmosphere.
Jan
18
2013
FAIR TV: France vs. Spain, NYT Erases West Bank Occupation, Wall Street Journal's Tax Graphic
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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
18
2013
Are Israeli Arabs 'Apathetic'–or Second-Class Citizens?
By 10 Comments
For a variety of reasons, Arab citizens of Israel don't seem all that excited about voting in next week's elections. And, for some reason, this strike the New York Times' Jodi Rudoren as "apathy." But the Arab sentiments she reports sure don't sound like apathy.
