CNN and media unfairness (need help)

[Killarney]

I'm putting together a list of some of the media bias and shady things CNN has done recently. I'm going to put together an email and send it out to the good guys (Krugman, Alterman, some Boston Globe columnists, etc) in the hopes that they'll write a column about CNN's media bias.

Please help me out. List anything you've noticed CNN has done (not in general, but specific incidents they could write about). Also, feel free to give me the emails of any other writers you think this should go to.

So far I have:
1) the yawning boy and how either the WH called CNN and told them to lie or CNN took it upon themselves to lie
2) "GOP Website: Click on a state to see why John Kerry is wrong for that state- AP" a blatant advertisement for the RNC ran on the CNN ticker. Do they do this when Kerry ads functions or stories to his website? Uh, no.
3) CNN consistently shows more live coverage of Bush than Kerry.
4) Wolf Blitzer interviews John O'Neill. Fails to mention that he never served with Kerry and never saw Kerry in Vietnam even though this man says Kerry was no war hero and couldn't tie his shoes in comparison to the others in Vietnam. Also fails to mention that O'Neill represents a man in the ENRON case and has something to gain from a Bush second-term. Also fails to mention that O'Neill's law partner was Governor George Bush's counsel. Also fails to mention that O'Neill is a Republican and has only donated to Republican campaigns. Also fails to mention that he and Kerry debated the Vietnam war on Dick Cavett's show in 1971, Kerry outdebated him, Kerry was obviously right about Vietnam and this guy is just obviously holding a personal grudge against Kerry for out-debating him. Wolf also fails to present the other side. He does not bring on another Vietnam vet to present the other side, he just lets Meehan from the campaign speak for one minute. Obvious poor reporting and bias.

Thanks for any help with this (adding more info or just kicking for me). :toast:

[July]

1. A DUer gave some info on O'Neill yesterday.

Said O'Neill clerked for Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the Extremes who installed Bush. Worth checking out.

[HEFFA]

2. As to #3 on your list....

you might want to keep in mind that Bush is currently holding the office of President. I know the point that you're trying to raise here, but this is an easily defensible argument for them (and other media outlets).

[qanda]

3. There was an article about this

In the WP. It showed how the cable networks consistently break into programming to show Bush* campaigning and rarely if ever do the same for Kerry. I understand your point, but since this is a contest they should at least have equal time.

[NewJeffCT]

5. as in post #3

They cover a Bush campaign speech from soup to nuts... Kerry gets soundbites.

[kentuck]

4. It's adouble standard that is used for the Democrats....

Democrats are looked at with skepticism - everything they say or do. Republicans are accepted as always telling the truth and are giving the benefit of the doubt on everything they say or do..

[AlinPA]

6. They mention the "controversy " over the first Purple Heart, but

never mention the Silver Star and Bronze Star (with "V") that he received. Silver Star is Navy's 3rd highest medal. Bastards.

[Eric J in MN]

7. Wolf Blitzer also smeared Richard Clarke, saying

Wolf Blitzer also smeared Richard Clarke, saying that administration officials have told him Clarke has strange aspects to his personal life.

Paul Krugman wrote about the above smearing.

[Killarney]

9. Oh, that's a good one I forgot! Thanks! n/t

[Loonman]

8. Blitzer is on the take

Paid to lie for the GOP.

[rwork]

10. During the Bob Woodward interview on Larry King

CNN ran the bush* approval numbers where he was leading Kerry 51 to 46 at bottom of screen. Subliminal? I think so.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. CNN's "senior political analyst" is also an AEI fellow --

therefore, Bill Schneider not only promotes the agenda of a right-wing think-tank, but, I assume, earns a paycheck from both CNN and the American Enterprise Institute. CNN includes his AEI affiliation in his online bio, but, as far as I know, has never informed its viewers on-air of his double role as CNN analyst and AEI fellow.

Also, why was Candy Crowley, who was blatantly partisan in 2000, assigned once again to savage Democratic candidates?

[Killarney]

12. who else do you think is blatantly partisan on there besides

Bill Schneider, Wolf, and Candy Crowley?

The ones that are *supposed* to be non-partisan. So, I'm not counting shows like Crossfire but only shows that are supposed to be just the news and no partisan editorializing.

Thanks.

[DeepModem Mom]

13. I'd add Judy Woodruff...

anchor of "Inside Politics," (remember her hateful anchoring of the CNN Democratic debate?), and even Jeff Greenfield. I have heard that there's a new political analyst, Carlos somebody, who maybe doesn't fit the mold. Ron Brownstein of the LA Times is also not too bad.

As for the non-politicals, CNN may think that Wolf is balanced by Aaron Brown, and, often, Lou Dobbs. Some posters have complained that Bill Hemmer is a Bushie; also Paula Zahn. Jack Cafferty doesn't bother me so much, as he, I don't think, is supposed to be taken seriously.

Then there's Howard Kurtz ("Reliable Sources"), who doubles as media critic for both CNN and the Washington Post. He occasionally calls one right, but is usually a Bush apologist, and his guest panels, I believe, are often unbalanced.

[DeepModem Mom]

14. kick

[deacon]

15. Just today! They cut off Kerry's speech and went to a hack to diss...

...what he was saying. right smack dab in the middle of the speech! over the environment no less.

It's despicable.

Also, the lack of coverage of what happened with the 700 million that bush diverted from afghanistan for the iraq war plan. no coverage and this is clearly breaking the law.

The lack of coverage or curiousity to investigate each of the scientific reports or the EPA they altered to fit their agenda. no investigative reporting at all. they are covering his ass, period.

Where is the outrage over him showing our war plans to a foreign leader??

The "Goring" as begun and it's an outrage.

[Alex146]

16. Ran the Dean scream like 1000 times in a single day

or whatever. I'm not sure excatly how many times they ran it but it was alot.

[KansDem]

17. How about this? "CNN Chief Courts GOP"

Very telling...

In an effort to improve his network's image with conservative leaders, new CNN chief Walter Isaacson huddled with House and Senate GOP leaders last week to seek advice on how to attract more right-leaning viewers to the sagging network.

Isaacson met with Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), House GOP Conference Chairman J.C. Watts (Okla.), Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to talk about CNN's image with conservatives and how it can be improved.

Isaacson confirmed that he also reached out to senior White House officials, but he denied that he was seeking counsel on how to boost CNN's ratings with conservative viewers.

"I was trying to reach out to a lot of Republicans who feel that CNN has not been as open covering Republicans, and I wanted to hear their concerns," Isaacson said in an interview Friday.

(more)
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/0805-04.htm

On edit: Ahh, I see you want recent incidents. Sorry...