Reason #8932 why I don't support NPR anymore.

[Coventina]

This morning, my local NPR station ran a story about Trump's upcoming rally tonight here.

The story was all about the deplorables who follow him around like groupies. It was all about how they've formed this beautiful community, bonded like family, and have also been able to see this beautiful country.

All it did was portray them as these wonderful, supportive people who love each other and love this country.

THIS IS NORMALIZING NAZIS AS "NICE PEOPLE"!!!!!

[SlogginThroughIt]

1. gave up on them years ago

In MN and listen to AM 950. But you can too!

Listen here: https://www.am950radio.com/listen-live/

[Silver1]

27. Same for me.

There's always a subtext to what they're saying, they're never straightforward. They manipulate their audience constantly.

[Farmer-Rick]

2. Exactly

Did they touch on racism, sexism and homophobia that his supporters display?

The media has to ignore the elephant in the room in order to fawn over Trump supporters.

[Coventina]

3. Nope. The closest they got to it was mentioning

that one of the men was wearing a jacket that was "brick-themed."

(I presume that refers to Trump's "beautiful wall." )

[denem]

62. If trump really wanted a "beautiful wall"

he should have gone the whole hog, and got the Germans in to build it

[NurseJackie]

4. I like our local NPR station (WAMU, American University, in DC)

I don't always agree with everything they broadcast (whether it's local content or syndicated from other sources) but overall I find them to be a very valuable resource and asset.

[Coventina]

5. Presenting Nazis as nice, normal people goes beyond simple disagreement. n/t

[NurseJackie]

7. Okay. Enjoy your boycott.

[ehrnst]

43. I'm sure there's a FoxNews viewer somewhere furious that they

interviewed Democrats at the convention, and didn't make them look like antifa socialists.

[Coventina]

46. Both-siderism. n/t

[ehrnst]

52. Nope. It's an accurate metaphor.

I think it's important to distinguish between a news outlet not simply hewing to your political bias by presenting different sides, and creating a false equivalency.

I don't think that NPR was creating a false equivalency in that story, but presenting voices that were not yours or mine.

I don't think that they were promoting their views at all.

I heard the same complaints from a family member that a long form piece on a day at an abortion clinic that I shared with her was "propaganda for the abortion industry" because it didn't demonize the providers to her satisfaction.

[Coventina]

55. There are literally millions, and I do mean millions of important stories to cover

that would take precedence over a feel-good story of how lovable and patriotic these Nazis are.
The fact that they would choose this story, and frame it as they do is pure pro-Nazi propaganda.

[ehrnst]

57. "Pro-nazi propaganda" "feel-good story of how lovable and patriotic these Nazis are"

Please. Just go back and read what you're actually writing about public radio.

Do you really think a Stephen Miller type has taken over as GM?



https://www.npr.org/2020/01/15/796838495/virginia-man-charged-in-neo-nazi-affiliated-swatting-ring

https://www.npr.org/tags/660341413/white-supremacy

https://www.npr.org/2019/06/07/730346019/5-takeaways-about-the-trump-administrations-response-to-far-right-extremism

https://www.npr.org/tags/126926029/nazis

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/19/544641070/explaining-again-thenazis-true-evil

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/04/700168758/nazi-saluting-teens-provoke-outrage-in-california-after-photos-flood-internet

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/08/16/543808019/the-view-of-charlottesville-from-berlin

[Coventina]

85. They have sacrificed their journalistic integrity in favor of "both sides". n/t

[ehrnst]

91. Right. You ignored all those links I posted that show you are wrong about them

promoting "pro-nazi" POV.

[Coventina]

100. I didn't say they never do good pieces. But they've sacrificed their journalistic integrity

for "both-siderism."

[ehrnst]

102. You said that they were promoting pro-nazi propaganda.

And I simply showed you evidence that shows the opposite.

And again - some people confuse a journalist doing an interview, without demonizing, with people that you don't agree with is not the same as the news organization glorifying them, or both-siderism.

Just like I told my RW relative about that long form piece on a day at an abortion clinic who was convinced it was "abortion industry propaganda.."

Especially considering that large % of Jewish journalists and editors working at NPR (which has been commented on humorously on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me), that claim of pro-nazi propaganda is especially off base.

[Coventina]

103. Stephen Miller is Jewish and is 100% Nazi.

The piece done yesterday was 100% Nazi propaganda.
All it did was to present Nazis as nice, patriotic people.
That is propaganda, pure and simple.

[DENVERPOPS]

79. Do you remember

the moment that NPR switched to "he said, she said" neutral coverage.?????????

Newt Gingrich in his infamous "Contract On America" told NPR if they continued reporting reality and truth, he and congress would pull their federal funding......

NPR immediately went to "both sides now" reporting, not wanting to lose a penny of their revenue for goodness sakes.......

Since then, I take everything NPR says with a giant block of salt.......Besides, I can't stand the "theatrics" of their comments with background noise of music and birds chirping or falling rain.....yuk

[not fooled]

94. ++++++++++++++

There's a lot of good, entertaining programming (emphasis on "entertaining&quot still on NPR but I don't rely on them for accurate, complete, or incisive political coverage. Corporatized now and I wouldn't be surprised to find that the 666kook666 brothers and their ilk infiltrated and installed a bunch of GOPee lackeys to dumb it down.

[DENVERPOPS]

97. got a book for you to read

The Informer I think it was called.

ADM Arthur Daniels Midland? was being investigated by the FBI for national and international corruption and crime.
An exec at ADM blew the whistle on the CEO and all the executives. He wore a wire for two years at all the exec meetings giving the FBI all they wanted and more to prosecute the whole top end of ADM.

Great read......It works out, that due to some fancy lawyering, the only person convicted was the Whistle blower.......
A complete travesty of justice. Not fiction, a true accounting of what happened....per the FBI......

Every time I see ADM sponsoring PBS etc, I laugh my butt off. Proven to be one of the most, if not THE most corrupt corporations in America and here they are trying to win over the public to how wonderfully squeaky clean they are........

I'm sure that ADM is getting along swimmingly with this Administration..I'm surprised that Trump hasn't made that CEO his Secretary of Agriculture.....LOL

[zeusdogmom]

13. Same here

Only my station is WOSU (Ohio State)

Is the reporter agreeing with the people being interviewed or is the reporter simply being polite and letting the stupidity of the Trump supporters shine thru?

On many occasions I have heard NPR reporters call out the trumpers and push them on what is being spewed forth.

NPR isn't perfect but their programing and reporting is certainly fact based, in depth, and try to look at various view points. It is worthy of my support.

[mitch96]

34. And the great thing is you can vote with your finger..... change the station!!!

Me? I like to hear both sides with in reason.. I draw the line on the "infotainment" fox noise stations...uff
m

[bullwinkle428]

6. So they literally travel around to every city where a rally takes place? I'm really

glad to know my tax dollars are helping to support these deplorable slugabeds!

(And yes, DU spell-checking function, that IS the correct spelling of the word! )

[Ohiogal]

37. +1000 for use of the word Slugabeds!

[karin_sj]

44. That's why he always gets a large crowd

I've always had a feeling that one of the reasons he always get such big crowds is because of the large group of "regulars" that attend them. These adoring moron cultists follow him from place so they can be part of the action. It would be interesting to know how many rally participants are actually residents of the place Trump is holding his hate-fests and which are the groupies that have devoted their lives to attending as many of his rallies as they can, even if it means driving all across the country. It really is insane.

[A HERETIC I AM]

89. But how many times can someone go see the same stand-up act?

That’s what Trumpy’s shtick has been compared to; A stale, too oft repeated bit from a has been stand-up comic.

Sooner or later it is no longer entertaining.

[shanti]

90. Cultists don't care how often the message is repeated

They are in the Trump cult.

[USALiberal]

8. I do not want any news source to just tell me what I want to hear! Nt

[Coventina]

10. This is being complicit with Nazis. We fought a war against them. I do not accept them as fellow

citizens.

Anyone who tries to portray them as nice people are Nazi collaborators.

That is not "news" that is propaganda.

[luvtheGWN]

58. NPR has to navigate a fine line, because

Trump's budget proposal cuts its funding. Maybe that report was the means to justifying continued funding to NPR. It would cease to exist on donations alone.

I listen to WBFO (Buffalo) frequently and am a member. I can take issue with its news reports occasionally when it simply reports tRump's latest "spew" of lies, but I love "On Point" and some of its other programs.

[ProfessorPlum]

99. NPR only takes about 2% of funding from government

Sources. The rest is from donors, and corporations.

[2naSalit]

9. Just like

deadheads only these are violent rumpheads.

[Coventina]

11. Brownshirts. n/t

[csziggy]

15. Brain dead heads! nt

[jcgoldie]

19. Take that back!

[Hoyt]

12. I'm glad to find NPR on my dial. A report like that certainly doesn't change my mind and just

confirms my belief trumpsters are a klan.

I think listeners are smart enough to get it. Now, whether they care is another matter.

If one wants overt criticism of trump and his supporters -- which I enjoy -- get Sirius and find Randi Rhodes, etc., or come to sites like this.

[Coventina]

14. YMMV of course, but I won't support pro-Nazi propaganda. n/t

[lunasun]

16. Ugh long gone in my book anyway . Glad to have progressive alternatives on my dial

[Turin_C3PO]

17. Yeah they've gotten worse.

They are masters of both-siderism.

[Ohiogal]

38. I find NPR's bothsiderism

Extremely annoying.

[NRaleighLiberal]

54. this.

[jcgoldie]

18. Claire McCaskill said on MSNBC those rallys are like Grateful Dead shows for Republicans...

As a lifelong Deadhead who will be attending 8 shows this summer this made me unbelievably sad

[world wide wally]

20. I hate their begging for money twice a year.

I have found it much more sane to just pay for satellite radio and get what I want.

[sl8]

21. Do you have a link to the story?

Or to the radio station.

Thanks.

[Coventina]

22. Here it is, nary a critical thing to be found:

https://kjzz.org/content/1447806/trump-campers-arrive-early-phoenix-rally-prime-seats-and-camaraderie

[Fla Dem]

59. What were they supposed to say? That they are idiots?

They reported the news. A guy travels around going to Trump rallies. The reporter wasn't the one who described it as camaraderie, that was the guy saying it, "Estrada and Marnell said they also come for the camaraderie." He was merely reporting what they said. I found the article interesting, that he actually has a following, just like someone mentioned here, like the "Dead Heads". That gives me a better feeling about his rallies, that all those people aren't new at each rally, but are made up of probably a lot of people with nothing better to do than follow him around the country.

Not saying everything on a NPR station is going to tilt left, as a legitimate news organization they shouldn't slant the news ether way. I suppose, depending where you live red or blue part of the country, the NPR news you hear will reflect the events happening in that area.

Kimberly Atkins who is a senior news correspondent with WBUR, Boston's NPR news station does an outstanding job on msnbc when she's on as a guest commentator.

Pompeo, NPR reporter comment after contentious exchange
National Public Radio host Mary Louise Kelly says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo screamed obscenities and demanded she prove she could find Ukraine on an unmarked map after an interview. CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/01/25/secretary-pompeo-npr-reporter-ukraine-exchange-sots-nr-vpx.cnn

Pompeo's State Department boots NPR reporter from trip abroad
Mike Pompeo apparently thought it'd be a good idea to escalate his one-sided conflict with NPR. It appears he thought wrong.

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/pompeo-s-state-department-boots-npr-reporter-trip-abroad-n1133986

[Coventina]

86. It was an unnecessary piece that only served to normalize Nazis. n/t

[sl8]

92. Thanks. The story doesn't appear to have been produced or distributed by NPR, though.

What responsibility, if any, does NPR bear for stories produced by member stations?

[Coventina]

101. I mentioned in my OP that it was a local story.

When I donated to NPR (back in the day, not since the Bush years) it was through my local affiliate.

[yellowwoodII]

23. Don't Be Spiteful

I have been listening to NPR all morning and did not hear the program you mentioned. Maybe it's a local program for you. Then, I suggest you contact them to express your dismay.

I love NPR and trust it. Please reconsider. We need NPR.

[Coventina]

29. I'm just as disgusted with the national feed.

(and yes, this was a local story).

They've "both sides" Trump and his Klan into normalcy.

[Ohiogal]

39. Yes

They are masters of false equivalence many times.

[rurallib]

66. They are also masters of omission on relevant parts of certain stories.

Such omissions seem to have a "red shift" that leaves out stuff that would paint Republicans in a bad light.

NPR is the only decent over the air radio in Iowa. Gawd, the radio stinks as bad as the hog farms out here. So do we accept radio that is kind of half baked? Been wrestling with that question for years.

[jpljr77]

24. If you believe that all Trump supporters are Nazis, then you're part of the problem.

If you won't support evenhanded journalism because they reported on something you don't like, then you're part of the problem.

We have a severe problem in this country right now, and posts like this -- and the sentiment underlying it -- DO NOT HELP.

[Coventina]

25. Trump supporters are Nazis, there is no other way to describe them.

If you don't understand that, then back atcha, pal.

[jpljr77]

31. That's incorrect. And expressing it the way you do is the exact reason he's going to be re-elected.

But at least everyone knows you hate him the mostest, right?

[Coventina]

33. No, it is not incorrect. And I am not going to get him re-elected.

[JustAnotherGen]

40. I call them Hutus

And I don't accept their humanity. They don't accept mine - so fuck em.

[Turin_C3PO]

65. Fuck Trump voters.

They support a lying, grifting, bullying, bigoted, fascist. I have nothing but contempt for them.

[Bradical79]

72. The vast majority are white supremecists

Trump and his cronies have direct ties to known Fascists/Nazis, and espoused their ideas themselves. They've been doing so very publicaly for quite awhile now. While I think this person is overreacting to the story, pointing out what these people are is not part of the problem. The normalization of these people for some fantasy of unity is a major part of the problem.

[DENVERPOPS]

80. I especially love it

When he flashes his "ok" sign during his rallies and speeches. His hand signal is much like the crips and bloods and every other gang in the nation.........

[ooky]

76. If they support Trump then they sanction the things that he does. Like, for example,

separating families and putting children in cages. I would call that nazi like behavior.

[Bonx]

77. You're right of course. But you'll never sell this here.

[NurseJackie]

26. What were the other 8931 reasons?

[Coventina]

28. Mostly dating all the way back to the Bush years.

When they constantly had Bush apologists on like Cokie Roberts.

[NurseJackie]

30. That long? Why were you even listening in the first place?

If things are as bad as you say they are, then what compelling reason could there be for tuning-in for even one second?

[Coventina]

32. Unfortunately, my husband listens to them in the morning as he gets ready for work.

It's one of those marital compromises.

It goes off as soon as he leaves.

[NurseJackie]

36. Ahhh. I see.

Your husband sounds like a smart and reasonable man.

In the mornings, my husband streams BBC World News on our smart speaker device. The stories there are much LESS "US-centric" and it's very eye-opening to see how the rest of the world views the US. It's also amazing to realize how much the US media fails to cover major stories that are happening elsewhere in the world.

[Coventina]

48. He is smart, yes. I am further left than he is. We're both OK with that.

So, I put up with his NPR, and he puts up with my socialism.

[DENVERPOPS]

82. It's more amazing

to realize how much the US media fails to cover major stories that are happening here in America.

I guess Republican ownership of 80% of US media, tends to control their articles or comments........

[NurseJackie]

84. Even with it's "impurities" NPR is still a far better resource than most all others.

It's a shame that the most-pure among us feel the need to shit on NPR and are willing to toss it on the trash heap.

the US media fails to cover major stories that are happening here in America

Yes, it's a shame. I agree.

[ehrnst]

45. Good point... (nt)

[Silver1]

35. They're really crafty.

You're exactly right to bring up what they didn't say. They do it all the time in their news programs - omit information. They're very manipulative that way.

The thing is unless you know an issue well and in depth, it's hard to see the manipulation. But once you do, you can spot it.

[jcmaine72]

41. I haven't listened to NPR since Sarah Vowell was on.

That was ages ago. Trust me, you can live without them.

[Ferrets are Cool]

42. THIS IS NORMALIZING NAZIS AS "NICE PEOPLE"!!!!! +1000

[kellytore]

47. Reason #8933

Ignore the first 8932. NPR is one of the best news sources in the world.

[Coventina]

49. Hahahahahahahahahaha!

You're adorable!

[moonseller66]

50. NPR?

Newly Propagandistic Republicanism

[NRaleighLiberal]

51. NPR is now Normalize Political Rhetoric. Lotta false equivalency

since the election. Total lack of courage and conviction.

[tiredtoo]

53. Keep in mind

NPR has received a lot of money from the Koch (brothers). Unfortunately money talks.

[not fooled]

56. As an aside

I wonder how many of those deplorables finance their red don road trips off Social Security. And whether they have a clue that pukes are hellbent on destroying same.

[KPN]

60. Yup, you're right.

[moreland01]

61. Must be a regional thing.

KUNC here in Northern Colorado is a lifesaver for me. Christ, without them I'd have nowhere else to turn (on the radio).
Thank GOD for NPR! I've never heard them normalize nazi's or any other hate group.

[Bradical79]

67. They're localy owned independent stations

They pick a certain amount of NPR stuff to carry, and the rest is their own programming.

[Bradical79]

63. Yes, normalizing these people is bad

But NPR stations aren't owned by NPR, they're independent localy owned and operated stations. Basically you get some NPR content, and the station doesn't get bought up by a Fascist propaganda conglomerate.

There's a reason Trump wants to defund NPR.

[awesomerwb1]

64. I have a hard time listening to them as well

The impeachment hearings analysis were hair pulling.

I remember a "pundit" from "the left" justifying something McTurtle did by saying "that's the reason Nancy Pelosi held on to the articles on impeachment for so many months".

The context was about the Dems "not having proven their case against the president".

[rurallib]

70. I am with you

I think they are so afraid Republicans will pull their funding (they will someday for sure) that they tread very lightly when saying anything about Republicans. When they do, they always try to mix in a little "democrats do it too" comment.

Listening to the little bit of the impeachment hearings on NPR that I did was hair pulling as you said.

Unfortunately I have been an NPR listener since nearly the beginning. I often compare those heady days of real gritty reporting during Viet Nam and Watergate plus decades after to today's often wimpy and watered down reporting.

Although, sometimes they do still take on a story like the old days. They can be bulldogs, like the Pompeo story.

[Demonaut]

68. I love NPR in my area

[Chakaconcarne]

69. I think we want Republicans to listen to NPR........ they won't if they are portrayed as Nazis.

Not every Trump supporter is a Nazi...Many of them are, no doubt..... but many are just misinformed.

I still listen to NPR and continue to support them... we would be so much better off if people listened to NPR.

[Coventina]

88. No way. At this point, if someone supports Trump they are a Nazi.

He has proved that over and over again.

Anyone still supporting Trump will NEVER vote against him.
They are lost.

[infullview]

71. Well over one third of NPR's budget is from corporate sponsors.

They can pretty much make NPR news to cheer-lead for what ever cause they endorse.

[DENVERPOPS]

83. I love the "sponsorship" Quasi Ads

for companies like ADM and Monsanto etc

Truly laughable.............

[NBachers]

73. National rePublican Radio

[jalan48]

74. I quit listening in 2003 when they put on their cheerleader outfits for Bush's Iraq War.

[Lonestarblue]

75. NPR still has some important coverage.

Yesterday, they interviewed someone from the Union of Concerned Scientists who described a report they had compiled on how the Trump administration is harming children. The gist of the report is that by rolling back environmental regulations and refusing to enforce the ones still on the books, Trump has given the green light to businesses to pollute at will, including releasing chemicals into sources of drinking water and increasing air pollution. In addition,,they have crippled the Consumer Products Safety Commission, which is no longer forcing businesses to recall products that have harmed consumers, or even caused deaths. They no longer even require businesses to notify buyers who have registered their purchases that the products are defective and can be dangerous. An example given was a three-wheeled running stroller on which the front wheel had suddenly broken off, causing the runner to fall and the stroller to turn over, causing injury to the babies inside.

Since the mainstream media doesn’t bother to report things like this, I would never have learned about it without NPR. I posted a link to the full report on Facebook to warn parents that this administration is doing things to harm their children. I agree with other posters that when they interview Republicans commenting on Trump policies, they rarely push back on the lies.

[LiberalArkie]

78. You mean Non-Proletariat Radio?

[Under The Radar]

81. Where are the Bush loving Patriots and the Tea Baggers?

Are They the same group, evolving with each administration, or do they see the truth over time, fade away as new idiots spout up?

[pwb]

87. Always a lot of buses at all Trump Lectures.

His base is very small without buses. People know him now.

[Crunchy Frog]

93. I gave up on them during the 2004 primaries.

[coti]

95. It's surpising how quickly and entirely NPR became irrelevant over the past ten years

or so, seemingly out of nowhere. I haven't deliberately turned it on in years.

[mahina]

96. I hope you call your station and tell them politely

Especially as a former supporter. It’s just vile propaganda.

[Progressive dog]

98. I've never noticed right leaning bias in NPR news.

I did find a site that rates bias and factual accuracy for hundreds (at least) of news organizations. They find that NPR has very high factual reporting and a left lean in the way facts are presented.
https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/npr/