Krugman notes media/CNN read a GOP Script & did not report the Dem convent

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/03/opinion/03krug.html

Krugman notes media/CNN read a GOP Script & did not report the Dem convention


Published: August 3, 2004

<snip>If that sounds like a script written by the Republicans, it is. As the movie "Outfoxed" makes clear, Fox News is for all practical purposes a G.O.P. propaganda agency. A now-famous poll showed that Fox viewers were more likely than those who get their news elsewhere to believe that evidence of Saddam-Qaeda links has been found, that W.M.D. had been located and that most of the world supported the Iraq war.

CNN used to be different, but Campaign Desk, which is run by The Columbia Journalism Review, concluded after reviewing convention coverage that CNN "has stooped to slavish imitation of Fox's most dubious ploys and policies." Seconds after John Kerry's speech, CNN gave Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party's chairman, the opportunity to bash the candidate. Will Terry McAuliffe be given the same opportunity right after President Bush speaks?

Commentators worked hard to spin scenes that didn't fit the script. Some simply saw what they wanted to see. On Fox, Michael Barone asserted that conventioneers cheered when Mr. Kerry criticized President Bush but were silent when he called for military strength. Check out the video clips at Media Matters; there was tumultuous cheering when Mr. Kerry talked about a strong America.

Another technique, pervasive on both Fox and CNN, was to echo Republican claims of an "extreme makeover" - the assertion that what viewers were seeing wasn't the true face of the party. (Apparently all those admirals, generals and decorated veterans were ringers.)<snip>

But the real power of a script is the way it can retroactively change the story about what happened... Mr. Kerry's speech was a palpable hit...once calm returns (post the 4 year old alert), don't be surprised if some of those same commentators begin describing the ineffective speech they expected (and hoped) to see, not the one they actually saw.<snip>

[onehandle]

1. Yes, Paul. We noticed. They followed Rove's orders well. nt

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Cable "News" needs a GOOD BALL CRACKING by...

JK's Justice Department.

:grr: