FNC Cites MRC Study Recounting Media Double Standard on Romney Wealth
On Saturday's Fox News Watch, two studies from the Media Research Center - parent organization to NewsBusters - were cited during the program. The first mention came during a discussion of Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Cory Booker's criticism of the Obama campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital.
After panel member and FNC contributor Judy Miller wondered why either Romney's time at Bain Capital or the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's association with President Obama should not be considered "fair game," fellow panel member Jim Pinkerton of the The American Conservative magazine brought up the media's double standard of focusing much more on Republican Romney's wealth in 2012 as compared to Democrat John Kerry's wealth in 2004. Pinkerton:
Let's say, for fun, that it is an issue, in which case we can then say, "Now, why is it that this Massachusetts political figure with good hair in 2012 did not get anything like the good treatment of another Massachusetts political figure with good hair eight years ago, John Kerry. And, as, you know, Mike Ciandela at the Media Research, the study you cited, 13 to 1 ratio of more coverage for Romney's wealth than Kerry's wealth, when, in fact, Kerry, through his wife, is probably worth 10 times-
Before discussing FNC host Bill O'Reilly's attention to the topic from Tuesday's The O'Reilly Factor, host Jon Scott recounted the results of the study compiled by the MRC's Busines and Media Institute:
For those of you who didn't understand what Ellen (Ratner) is talking about, the Media Research Center, a conservative-leaning organization, did a study of mentions of John Kerry's wealth on the evening news, the big three evening news broadcasts back in 2004. He got two mentions from CBS and ABC, one each. NBC didn't mention it at all. Contrast that with stories about Mitt Romney's wealth during the same three-month period in the current 2012 environment, he got mentioned 27 times
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Comments
Why Kerry's wealth wasn't covered
Submitted by American Delight on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 7:12am.
Only positive information is relevant for discussion by the media for liberal candidates. Only negative information is relevant for discussion about conservatives. (Leaving aside the fact that having wealth is actually a good thing, and that earning wealth is probably superior to marrying into it..)
The only exception that the news media will make is by providing constructive criticism to the left about tactics. For example, lately they've been asking whether attacking private equity is "helpful" for the president. They are willing to criticize Obama only when they think their criticism will help him re-tool his campaign to something they'd prefer.
ABC, CBS, and NBC.....
Submitted by gwalt on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 8:15am.
.....have names. They are Brian, Diane and Scott. Let's do an ad campaign asking why Kerry's wealth was a non-issue and Romneys is. Put out newspaper ads, billboards and go after them by name and face questioning their honesty and integrity. We know they have none, but others need to know as well.
We keep calling them MSM, media and ABCNBCCBS---- they don't feel any need to be honest because we are attacking logos.
We need to get personal----- they do it--- ask Joe The Plumber.
"A lot of briefing for a 2 hr. special with Dan Rather. Saw the show & wonder why we bothered". Ronald Reagan
agreed
Submitted by Barabbus on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 9:38am.
I think your suggestion is the way to go. "We" know they're dishonest. But some "Pod carrier" Liberals out there still attempt to brass it out, and maintain with straight faces that Diane and the others are objective. That charade has to stop. It really does. How long do we have to play along with a Stephanopolous? How much longer do I have to hear Republicans say an Ann Coulter or a Breitbart, God rest his soul, are too loud, or too agressive? I watch an endless stream of Republicans walk into buzzsaw interviews and have to play "the game". Just educate the people about their role. Since it's true and they're quilty,
Letterman (400 million $$$)...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 9:55am.
...making jokes about Romney's wealth (260 million $$$). Well, Hello There Hypocrisy!
When you hear Liberals say that Romney is "Out of touch"...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 3:21am.
what they are really saying is that he is really really rich and we are envious.
Funny they never said that about Kerry and unlike Romney, "Lurch" earned his money the hard way, by marrying into it...twice!
I believe Obama has become such a disaster as a candidate...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 3:19am.
that even the media is starting to ease back a bit, with Chris Matthews being the obvious exception.
They are starting to realize that the American people can no longer be fooled into thinking Obama is some great Messiah and if they are going to continue to be listened to, they had better start reporting the truth about their former hero or start losing the little credibility they have.