Last night on CNN and MSNBC there were commentary segments about 'right wingers' spreading rumors and lies about Barack Obama. This is sloppy journalism. The source of the 'Michelle Tape' rumor, it well known, is Larry Johnson of No Quarter Blog an unabashed Clinton supporter. The emails that suggest Senator Obama is a muslim started before anyone voted in the primaries, making it highly unlikely that Republicans started that rumor either. While the commentators didn't suggest that the rumors are connected with the McCain campaign they do reference 'the far right'. However, if they listened to their own reporting they'd recognize that the 'far right' has not been particularly excited about Senator McCain as a candidate. Yet the media has concluded that 'the far right' is spreading rumors to help a candidate they aren't thrilled about.
Questions of patriotism stem mainly from a picture/video of Senator Obama not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem. Obama's apparent refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin, and Michelle Obama making a statement that 'For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country'. Certainly, there is plenty of cause to question the fairness of these 'un-patriotic' claims, but blaming it on the right doesn't hold water.
An anonomous blogger can say just about anything without consequences, creating a rumor prone environment. Have right-wing bloggers spread rumors? Probably, but they are not alone, and they aren't the source of the previously mentioned rumors. If the MSM wants to hold onto any credibility they need to do their homework, and not just guess.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Main Stream Media Drops the Ball on Obama Rumors
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3 comments:
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck!
We all know that the far right has patented these techniques. Lets for argument sake assume that the far right did not start some of these rumours, I will bet my house that the right is now at the driving seat in spreading them
anonymous...
Say what? The far right patented what? No offense, and I don't know you, but...
Where have you been the last few years?
With all the hate-journalism aimed towards Bush, and all the hate-politics spewed towards Bush, we have seen a new definition nasty rumors, character assasination, and outright hatred and demonization.
Obama is getting a free ride from the media, and you can count that conservatives have noticed it; When he wins, there will be about as much slack given to Obama as was given to Bush; How do you spell, F-A-I-L-E-D P-R-E-S-I-D-E-N-T..
Anon - I'm not saying that the far right has never spread rumor. I'm saying the press should do its homework. The 'Michelle Tape' is easily tracked to Larry Johnson's blog, and the email rumors started way before any Republican was paying attention to the Democrats. It's these blind accusations that are simply poor journalism, and one would hope the media would be more interested in facts than taking sides.
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