Whether they will admit it or not, the MSM has become a propaganda arm for the Trump administration. They failed to hold him accountable in 2016 because he was good for "clicks", "likes" and soundbites. They've compounded that failure in the last two years by exploiting his shitshow for ratings while never holding him accountable for his lies, unqualified nominees, failed policies and all around horrible behavior because of their fear of losing access. We need more media outlets run by independent sources...and women who are not afraid to speak truth to power because we've had to do it for decades.
agreed, the normalization is nonstop. aside from the coronavirus debacle this week, just look at how Trump’s unprecedented attacks on sitting SCITUS justices were covered this week
Just thought of another good link for my response below. It is the excellent book Lapdogs: How the Press Rolled Over for Bush by a man you may have heard of - Erick Boehlert.
They have been doing this kind of thing for a long time. Remember how they praised oBush because he would be “more fun to have a beer with” than boring ol’ actually qualified Gore? This description of how the Times’s Frank Bruni fawned over Bush and berated Gore for being too substantive was not an exception:
In 2015 Rachel Maddow held one on one interviews with each of the Demcratic candidates at a Democratic candidate’s forum. If I remember correctly they were all done in front of an audience in an early primary state and they were were back to back. Those interviews were the best format I have ever seen for getting a feel for a candidate and their positions, values, etc. Some of the questions were personal but others were very serious and substantive.
All three - Bernie, Hillary and Martin O’Malley, were impressive and gave very intelligent, well thought out answers. I would love to see a lot more of that kind of interview but I doubt many people could carry it off the way Rachel did - respectful, substantive, challenging but no gotcha questions or focus on inside-the-beltway talking points. Chris Hayes and Joy Reid are capable of that kind of interview even with people they strongly disagree with but more prominent people like Chuck Todd are the problem, not the answer.
Just heard you on Sirius with MichaelAnthony Signorelli’s show. Why they (the msm) keeps track of trumps lies is beyond me! It’s like they like that he lies and we need to call him out and hold him accountable. I think Obama handled the Ebola outbreak very well and trump only cares about the stock market and how much money he’s losing. He makes me sick!
Well, they’ve pretty much thrown Acosta under the bus at CNN when he tries to call out the “dear leader” and I meant Michael Angelo not Anthony but you knew that! Haha
I have always tried to catch you on various SiriusXM shows, and when I caught you last night on the Dean Obeidallah Show I was prompted to subscribe. Keep up the great work Eric, IMO you have been the most consistent progressive voice over the past years.
And he is now about the only voice that consistently critiques the mainstream media. Other media critics are so focused on Fox News that they miss most of the misleading reporting in the from them but, a Steve Bannon has said, the mainstream media are the ones that really damage Democrats.
You are the only person I have found who is consistently doing this now. Media Matters and Salon were great sources back in the day but not now. Are there other sources you can recommend? It surprises me that Joe Conason doesn't write about this topic anymore.
Whether they will admit it or not, the MSM has become a propaganda arm for the Trump administration. They failed to hold him accountable in 2016 because he was good for "clicks", "likes" and soundbites. They've compounded that failure in the last two years by exploiting his shitshow for ratings while never holding him accountable for his lies, unqualified nominees, failed policies and all around horrible behavior because of their fear of losing access. We need more media outlets run by independent sources...and women who are not afraid to speak truth to power because we've had to do it for decades.
agreed, the normalization is nonstop. aside from the coronavirus debacle this week, just look at how Trump’s unprecedented attacks on sitting SCITUS justices were covered this week
Just thought of another good link for my response below. It is the excellent book Lapdogs: How the Press Rolled Over for Bush by a man you may have heard of - Erick Boehlert.
They have been doing this kind of thing for a long time. Remember how they praised oBush because he would be “more fun to have a beer with” than boring ol’ actually qualified Gore? This description of how the Times’s Frank Bruni fawned over Bush and berated Gore for being too substantive was not an exception:
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/general/news/2011/05/26/9654/think-again-the-times-frank-bruni-or-how-to-succeed-in-journalism-without-really-caring-about-issues/
ugh, 2000 press coverage was a mess
It was horrible in the nineties, 2000, 2016 and now.
true
The CCCP (Corporate Controlled Conservative Press) is a key component of the Republican 24/7 BS machine that endlessly spews Republican propaganda.
Just wait till this new disease really spreads in the US and you'll see the CCCP pin the blame NOT on Trump's budget cuts but they will blame Obama.
the difference in the Ebola/coronavirus coverage as certainly been stark, to date
In 2015 Rachel Maddow held one on one interviews with each of the Demcratic candidates at a Democratic candidate’s forum. If I remember correctly they were all done in front of an audience in an early primary state and they were were back to back. Those interviews were the best format I have ever seen for getting a feel for a candidate and their positions, values, etc. Some of the questions were personal but others were very serious and substantive.
All three - Bernie, Hillary and Martin O’Malley, were impressive and gave very intelligent, well thought out answers. I would love to see a lot more of that kind of interview but I doubt many people could carry it off the way Rachel did - respectful, substantive, challenging but no gotcha questions or focus on inside-the-beltway talking points. Chris Hayes and Joy Reid are capable of that kind of interview even with people they strongly disagree with but more prominent people like Chuck Todd are the problem, not the answer.
yes, those are much better forums
Just heard you on Sirius with MichaelAnthony Signorelli’s show. Why they (the msm) keeps track of trumps lies is beyond me! It’s like they like that he lies and we need to call him out and hold him accountable. I think Obama handled the Ebola outbreak very well and trump only cares about the stock market and how much money he’s losing. He makes me sick!
i think it's very odd that news outlet like CNN spends so much time documenting Trump's lies...then tells everyone at CNN not to call Trump a liar.
Well, they’ve pretty much thrown Acosta under the bus at CNN when he tries to call out the “dear leader” and I meant Michael Angelo not Anthony but you knew that! Haha
yep, reporters *know* what to call Trump. but when they do they get blowback
Well CNN has hired the odious Chris Cillizza who was a champ at repeatedly misreporting the Hillary email “scandal”.
Did he make his previous bosses money? Is he making his current bosses money now? Answer those questions and you answer why they hired him.
Totally agree. Has the MSM been purchased, as well? An aside, I appreciate your musical recommendations.
oh good, thanks!
I have always tried to catch you on various SiriusXM shows, and when I caught you last night on the Dean Obeidallah Show I was prompted to subscribe. Keep up the great work Eric, IMO you have been the most consistent progressive voice over the past years.
thanks! Much appreciated
And he is now about the only voice that consistently critiques the mainstream media. Other media critics are so focused on Fox News that they miss most of the misleading reporting in the from them but, a Steve Bannon has said, the mainstream media are the ones that really damage Democrats.
Fox News does damage to our democracy, for sure. But yes, I like to keep an eye on DC press as well.
You are the only person I have found who is consistently doing this now. Media Matters and Salon were great sources back in the day but not now. Are there other sources you can recommend? It surprises me that Joe Conason doesn't write about this topic anymore.