Every American – blue, red, purple, Republican, Democrat, Independent – has a right to accurate reporting. Facts matter. There is right, and there is wrong – true and twisted. Good journalists know the difference. Sadly, reliable outlets are broadcasting transparent anti-Trump prejudice, twisting and misreporting material facts. Here is proof, if you need it.
On January 17, the Associated Press glibly – and with factual inaccuracy – reported the number of Russians charged on interfering during the 2016 presidential election at 32. A day later, even the Washington Post had to correct their go-to. No, it was 25.
On January 18, the Associated Press reported: “BuzzFeed, citing two unidentified law enforcement officers, reported that [President] Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about a Moscow real estate project.” The claim was so bold that Democrats of all stripes swooned, and gave interviews saying impeachment was around the corner.
In a shocking display of fidelity to unbiased process and factual accuracy, Muller’s investigating team issued a sharp rebuke: “Buzzfeed’s description of specific statements to the Special Counsel’s Office, and characterization of documents and testimony obtained by this office, regarding Michael Cohen’s Congressional testimony are not accurate.” Wind slipped precipitously from the sails of reflexively anti-Trump Democrats.
But the story was not over. On Sunday, national news shows kept up the false narrative. Make no mistake, impeachment talk sells advertising time and papers. Major news organizations rebroadcast the false story, flavoring it – and interviews – with special toppings. One continued saying Buzzfeed’s story had only been “disputed” by Special Counsel’s Office. To be clear, it was forcefully denied – not disputed.
Another outlet said the President’s lawyer, former Federal Prosecutor and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, “made news” – a line Virginia Democrat Senator Mark Warner parroted – by saying the new “President told Cohen to lie to Congress” story was a sham.
Specifically, Giuliani said President Trump discussed a building project in Russia with personal lawyer Cohen before the election. Now, pause and use logic: Congress only began their Russia-related investigations after the election.
Put aside that partisan dossier and other treachery. Cohen’s name and that invitation to speak to Congress occurred after the election. If no conversations occurred about this embryonic project after the election, as Giuliani assures, then it is impossible for President Trump to have directed Cohen to lie to Congress. Congress had not even invited him to testify. Notably, congressional candidates – by the way – often do not severe business until elected.
Never mind. If it sells to suggest an impossible offense, one forcefully denied by Mueller’s team as well as the President, leading news organizations will now misreport, repeating what they have reason to know is untrue. Number indicted persons? Inflated. When conversations occurred? Conflated. What they were about? Recreated.
Apparently, journalism standards are in unabashed freefall. Anything to help Big Media’s anti-Trump caravan over the big line – triggering impeachment, which will sell advertising like nobody’s business.
Unless of course – it doesn’t. Even when those with ironclad credibility explain no such witnesses, documents, conversations or other indicia, the media ignores them. Truth is now second to sales.
Bottom line: We are in a sad place. Journalists historically abided a code. That code is detailed, and used to go beyond professional ethics; it was a personal code. I know, as I still know good journalists. I respect their integrity. Unfortunately, this new breed – or perhaps the new breed of owners – are consumed by political animus. They are throwing their lot with one side.
By all appearances, we are in a remarkable media race to the bottom – where reporters are no longer proud to report what is, only things that support their favored outcome. Twisting facts, underreporting, misreporting, inflating and conflating whatever does not fit – to make the case.
Only here is the point: Journalists are not hired or expected to be making a case. That is the purview of lawyers, perhaps politicians. Still, every journalist is now a pundit, every pundit an oracle, and every oracle sure impeachment is upon us. I think not. I still believe in truth. Either way: Every American – blue, red, purple, Republican, Democrat, Independent – has a right to accurate reporting. Wouldn’t be refreshing to see more of that?
My father, may he rest in peace, was a newspaper reporter for most of his life. He knew what off the records meant, and he knew that if he could not prove his story beyond any doubt – he could not write it. He said if I ruin a man and I am wrong, where does he go to get his reputation back? He was correct – there is no department for that. Shame to many of today’s reporter’s as they are nothing more than gossip columnists.
Associated Press has completely given up any claim to credibility. They should change their name to TASS, or better yet “Associated Propeganda.”
It is so sad to see what our country has become. It breaks my heart to see how gullible the younger people are in being so misled and it scares me to think this is the generation that will be leading our country in just a few short years. I pray for our President to stay the course and for his protection. I know we can pray for our country and we can vote but other than that, I feel powerless to change the direction we can see this country is going, from the Speaker of the House down! Such hate and venom!
Patriotic USA citizens know that the scum in the media are twisting the facts to try and impeach our potus. They will not succeed in their duplicity. And there would be hell to pay for them if it ever occurs.
If they twist the facts they never were any good; they just got caught now.
There really aren’t many journalists writing today…
They are not journalists. Calling them journalists is an insult to what used to be a respected profession.
They keep pushing and one day the conservative millions will step forth and these wimps will run for the hills. There will be no place to hide, we are fed up beyond the pale.
I studied Journalism while in college many years ago. We were taught in regards to news stories “The Five W’s: Who, Where, What, When, Why. Also added was How. A reporter writes a story using the 5 W’s alone. If the reporter inserts his opinion into the story, then it becomes an editorial and not news. I don’t know if schools still teach Journalism this way, but from what I see in the press and on the “news” on television, I don’t think they do any more. A sad state of affairs for sure.
A sad page in our History when the very journalist you have come to rely on for fair and unbiased reporting, FAIL to give that same equality to our President. They have sold their souls. I for one will never believe another story printed by these Unamerican fake story writers. RH
The MSM/MainSwampMedia & Democrats intend to cause President Trump & VP Pence both to be removed from office so “President Pelosi” can assume command!
That will never happen on this watch!!
Most journalism today unfortunately amounts to no more than fictionalized tabloid sensationalism. But they’re only following a successful business model, in their eyes—they set a low bar for themselves, and are happy with that. So are their readers/followers. Truth no longer matters to either of them.
A quick search online didn’t give me recent results, but I remember from a few years ago, before President Trump came onto the scene, that journalists ranked even lower than Congressmen on the “trustworthy” scale.
Is there a way to send this to the owners, editors, and journalist at ALL newspapers, TV and any news media? Perhaps require them, by law, to identify opinion and declare their bias as “Opinion”!
Impeachment trump
I have zero confidence in ‘national’ media outlets. I never watch ‘national’ media anymore. I watch my local news broadcasts only. In them I have complete confidence.
Walter Cronkite, Huntley and Brinkley are rolling over in their graves. They were the end to truthful journalism as we know it. Then Dan Rather and others came along and sullied the reputation of journalism. We can no longer believe anything that “They” say. From the attempt to discredit President Bush’s military service to “bodies floating by after hurricane Katrina,” sensationalism is the name of the game to sell more papers and ads. Now all the talking heads on CNN, MSNBC and others have taken to wearing those large, black framed “Trust Me” glasses as if it lends an air credibility to what they are spouting. I don’t believe any of them. We as American citizens need to look for the facts and decide for ourselves what is the truth. Don’t count on the “Fake News” to give it to you.
Even when l graduated with a degree in print journalism in 1982 l knew that working in a newspaper was no longer ‘for’ me. I was not able to stick a microphone in someone’s face and harass them. Feature writing, that l could do. Most ‘hard’ news no longer interested me as l could see the disservice being done in reporting. I mourn the decline of a once reputable profession and calling.
So Cohen ‘says’ Trump told him to lie! He is a lawyer first of all and that is what they do best or haven’t you ever been to court. This story has more holes in it than there are reporters. AND, both sides in this phony debate are lawyers. What does that tell ya. Also when you read the press on virtually any subject you would think they are all lawyers too. They just didn’t make it through school!
We need to bring back the term “yellow journalism”, it certainly fits. The “progressives” have progressed the media back to the bad old days of journalism.
The news media have joined with Democrats and some Republicans to destroy this country and create a utopian state, in their minds, in recreating the disaster of the USSR. Have you noticed that freedom of speech is now only for the left, that peaceful protest is no longer peaceful when the left protests, that only the left has a right to assemble and to be heard to name a few? How long does the violent left expect Americans to put up with this?
America is under attack. Democracy is under attack. OUR FREEDOM IS UNDER ATTACK! The Democrat Party is the wealthiest party in history. They are using their fortunes to push for a socialist/communist/fascist government in which THEY and ONLY THEY will have total and eternal power over how all of us live, what we have, what we can do, where we can go, and how much money we can keep. We will be disarmed. Our possessions will be “redistributed”. You will have to share your house with “immigrants” and homeless. They will MURDER any opposition to their regime, just as Mao, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and every other dictator in history has done. EVERYONE will live in servitude to the RULING CLASS. You will live on your knees if you do not STAND AND FIGHT WITH ALL YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW!!!
The deceit that journalists practice is capable of affecting an election, sway an ignorant public and warp norms to our culture’s determent. Those are just a few reasons that the press IS the enemy of the people. More damage will be done to our American culture by them than any effort by the Russians. In fact, the Russians should have come up with a devious press to infect America the way Communists agents couldn’t.
The national press has always been biased, there was just nothing to compare it to in the old days. Now there are folks with cameras, alternate news sources and much more transparency available. One would think this state of affairs would pressure the media to be more circumspect, more liable to get the facts right. Sadly, they seem to be getting more boldly biased than ever. It all defies logic. It defies honor. It defies any ethical standards at all. It is disgusting.
Well apparently, what we are witnessing is the progression of corrupt journalists who have stepped beyond the veil of personal integrity, moral values and with the myth “if you can’t touch me. I am protected by the Frist Amendment.” That simply should say to the citizens that the press and journalism have become so corrupt that it is time to revisit and clarify the free press limitations and protections in the free speech clause. It is time we start holding Journalist accountable for their personal responsibility.
In my opinion, anyone who believes mainstream media is living in the past or is a liberal…or both!
It’s getting to the point that the tabloids such as National Enquirer, never known for factual reporting, are more trustworthy than the main stream media!
Only question is who are the biggest liars News Reporters or Politications?
Unfortunately, we live in an age of deception. I do not trust the news media. As far as I’m concerned most are a pack of liars and prostitutes in bed with the left wing loons. I get my news from American Family Radio. I don’t watch the clowns on the television screen. I could care less how good or bad they look. Most are flattered with themselves.
The Free Press is in a sad position , and the only one person proven guilty of any crimes is Honest Hilary selling Nuclear products to the Commies . What American sells nuclear products to the Commies ?? Who does that ??? All this other crap about Trump is smoke their are blowing up America’s *** . Good journalism ?? Making a laughing stock out of Mr.Reagan and his missile defense systems to protect these clowns and they can spew it’s Star Wars , Come On Man !
Walter Cronkite (The Most Trusted Man In America) must be rolling over in his grave!
Old adage “if it bleeds it leads” but today, all the blood is on the right
I would very much like to read and hear news that has been confirmed and investigated before it was reported by any system. Would that be a change!
When President Trump calls it fake news he is certainly using the right word,,,,,it,s four letters long and begins with “F”!!
Historically Good Journalists Are Twisting Facts to Push Impeachment! That statement is an oxy-moron! A good reporter DOES NOT push fake or even in doubt information These “good” reporters are nothing but activists pushing their cause!
Anything reported by an unidentified send should have no merit. You don’t know who sent it and if it was even factual.
“Historically good journalists…?” Now there’s an oxymoron for you! You could just about name historically good journalists on one hand!
If you get your daily dose of current events from BuzzFeed then you are part of the problem in spewing Fake News.
Can you think of any other citizen who would willingly withstand the slings and arrows aimed at them-as are those of the media toward President Trump? Is there any other citizen-with full knowledge aforehand-as had President Trump going into the Presidency-of the hatred exhibited by the Democrats and the media, still willing to take on all comers for the sake of the Country? What other motivation would this man have, other than trying to “make this country great again”?????
There was talk of impeaching Obama every week for eight years.
I’ve stopped watching major network news but not local and have now gotten more truthful news from NHK (Japanese tv).
If they keep repeating the lies long enough, the folks who use Social media and sound bytes for news will accept the lies as truths!!
The left is using the divide and conquer plan to take over.
The problem goes even deeper, it is the nature of the business. News reporting is the largest censuring organization, where they daily censure what and how to report. Much of today’s news are planted stories by public relations people , included are organizations like the AP. Reporters are lazy and instead of working they rely on sources, pre-written and planted stories, all of which have a bias. Hopefully, by now, the public should take all news stories with a grain of salt and question its accuracy.
Its about money and power. Lies, lies and more lies. Take a look at Boehner now advertising for Pot , to sell it, he did not steal enough while in office. . Its all about greed. He is just one of many.
the truth that u publish is seriously refreshing, thankyou
I watched a clip of “The View” on youtube the other day. Please don’t ask me why. ? After the buzzfeed blatant lie, which came soon after the latest Russian collusion lie reported (with great excitement) by the mainstream media, Whoopi Goldberg was musing about why “we” (as in the mainstream media) keep getting things wrong and then have to retract reports. Joy Behar said something along the lines of, “Because we hate Trump so much that we will do anything to get him out of office.” The audience laughed and cheered. It was a very honest response from Behar, and it broke my heart. Our media and others in the public eye have come to the point where they think it’s ok to lie to further their own agendas, I don’t know what else we can do but pray. I pray for our president and our country. I pray that the haters will somehow see the light and realize that we can have differences of opinion in this country without being so vile about those who disagree.
I have felt for many, many years now that real journalists are as rare as snow leopards, and what they’ve devolved to are novelists. No intention here to insult novelists who do have license to write anything that pops into their fertile minds, whereas a good journalist is ethically bound to report what actually happened, not what they’d like to happen.
This article could have so much more impact if the author would name names of the offending “journalists”. Crying “somebody” did it is not as impactful as crying “Johnny Smith” did it. Step up your level of writing!
I no longer watch the network evening news (with the exception of FOX ) for that very reason. i cannot stomach their lies. I try, on occasion, to watch the news; after about 10 minutes I turn it off. What has happened to the days of Walter Cronkite, et all.
As a retired journalist both radio and print, I am appalled at today’s so-called reporters’ actions and reports. I have owned, published and edited five daily newspapers in Tennessee as well as been news reporter and news director at several radio stations. What they give us today is NOT news. They report “press-itorials,” my term for their own interpretation of what they think we should believe, regardless if it is factual.