CNN correspondent Brian Todd featured anarchist protesters at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh during a report on Friday’s Situation Room, but despite their clear political affiliation, didn’t mention their extreme background.
Todd devoted the first half of his report from the western Pennsylvania city to the protesters’ march. As the correspondent noted the “audible frustration on the streets by people who feel powerless over what they see as backroom deals made by a powerful few,” Todd ran video from the march where the oft-used half black, half red anarchy (more specifically, anarcho-syndicalist) flag was clearly visible (see above).
The political affiliation of some of the protesters became even clearer when the CNN correspondent played a clip from his interview of a participant in the march, who, like his companions, were dressed entirely in black, including a black bandanna which obscured his face. This tactic, known as a “black bloc,” is often used by anarchists.
Despite these obvious symbols, Todd used only the generic term “protesters” during the report. This contrasts to CNN’s explicit mention of the supposed “dark undercurrent” at recent Tea Parties, and its labeling opponents of President Obama as “insane.”
The transcript of the relevant portion of Todd’s report, which aired 50 minutes into the 4 pm Eastern hour of Friday’s Situation Room:
WOLF BLITZER: Meanwhile, leaders are trying to chart a course for the global economy in Pittsburgh. One thing they have decided on: from now on, the G-20 will be the primary body for coordinating global economic policy. What they decide there will affect so many people around the world. So some protesters say you should be privy to the discussions as well.
Let’s bring in, once again, CNN’s Brian Todd. He’s on the scene for us. Brian?
BRIAN TODD: Well, Wolf, some of those protesters are actually winding down their latest march today. They’re crossing the Seventh Street Bridge going home. This was a peaceful day of protests. Now, as is often the case with these economic summits, this one’s been a real study in contrast, between the decisions made at the very high-level meetings in that convention center, and the realities in the city itself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER 1 (chanting): Tell me what democracy looks like. (Other protesters chant back, ‘This is what democracy looks like.’)
TODD (voice-over): Less than two miles from the summit meeting, audible frustration on the streets by people who feel powerless over what they see as backroom deals made by a powerful few.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER 2: We’re here to march on- on the summit where they makes decisions about the economy of the world behind closed doors.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Who writes for Wolf?
September 25, 2009 - 17:24 ET by CobraMan"Meanwhile, leaders are trying to chart a course for the global economy in Pittsburgh."
There's a global economy in Pittsburgh? Who writes this crap?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
A lot of journo-hack
September 27, 2009 - 17:00 ET by notonmywatchA lot of journo-hack writing reminds me of the "tool DJ" in Wayne's World - they're not even trying any more - it's all just completely phoned in.
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ahem
September 25, 2009 - 17:34 ET by candanceaudible frustration on the streets by people who feel powerless over what they see as backroom deals made by a powerful few.
Sounds a lot like the 9/12 march. Too bad we're racist for doing the exact same thing.
Candance
September 25, 2009 - 17:41 ET by cajun2Good girl, you took the words right off my keyboard. Yours are prettier.
Susan Roesgen
September 26, 2009 - 05:31 ET by allanfWell this is not like those terrible "tea-bag**rs" that the brave Susan Roesgen of CNN interviewed. Why she could have lost her life.
How does Blitzer call himself a journalist?
Weird
September 25, 2009 - 17:56 ET by 10ksnookerDid CNN forment the hate? Shultz? Chris Mathews?Morning Joe? So lets get to the bootom of it and find out who is pushing the hate and violenec. Funny how a few hundred leftists wackos become anarchists on CNN.
These are left wing violent nutjobs, nothing else.
Anyone hear anybody on capiutal hill comdemn the violence, the proteters? Why not? Becaus ethey are them.
And why are they on TV anyway?
50,000 to 60,000- that's it.
September 25, 2009 - 17:56 ET by BKeyser50,000 to 60,000- that's it.
Liberal Math
September 25, 2009 - 18:04 ET by Sergeant ROCKThat's huge! Look at all of those zeroes.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
yeah, there were a lot of
September 25, 2009 - 18:07 ET by Chris Normanyeah, there were a lot of zeroes in this crowd.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
LOL!
September 25, 2009 - 18:17 ET by RukusLess than zero from what I can see! : )
Gary
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. -- Tom Paine
Now, these people are just
September 25, 2009 - 18:05 ET by Chris NormanNow, these people are just normal folks - accountants, firemen, and homemakers - just exercising their free speec rights to violence over their righteous cause - not like those conservative thugs at the tea parties...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Not only that Chris...
September 25, 2009 - 18:08 ET by BKeyserbut I didn't see any of those racist Obama=Hitler signs carried by every registered Republican and most Independants who attended the 9/12 march. Quite civil actually- except for the police acting stupidly.
BK,
September 25, 2009 - 18:19 ET by Chris NormanThese are good Middle America people - salt of the earth - the people who make America work.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
G-baggers.
September 25, 2009 - 18:48 ET by superconIt's nothing more than hating a rich man.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Is this really all that surprising?
September 25, 2009 - 18:55 ET by TeamcheeserCNN fails to mention that Obama is an anarchist every time they interview him, so -- hey -- par for the course.
"anarchist"...
September 26, 2009 - 14:08 ET by ww thumperThe whole Demicrat Party is "ANARCHIST!!
When you elect a communist......don't be surprised when Communism brakes out
1
Uhhh, I thought Obama was
September 27, 2009 - 11:37 ET by JasonCUhhh, I thought Obama was heralding big government?
Leftist, Marxist or Anarchists...
September 25, 2009 - 20:45 ET by Mitch NJYou have to forgive Brian Todd as it looks like
a CNN Job Fair to him.
Hannity
September 25, 2009 - 22:01 ET by jaywlHannity interviewed two women from the anarchists camp, "Free the People" claimed one, the other was an "independent". Both turned out to be graduate students from Pitt, English department. Yes, an Economics degree would be very difficult to pursue, economics is Soooo Haarrd to understand. It is much easier to explore "ways of telling "true stories" dependent on narrative, syntax, rhythm and language dimensions", that tidbit from a course description.I was going to expound on their ridiculous statements, however, after going to the Pitt Website to find out more about the pair I found something else to share. The University has changed since I was there. The English Department offers a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Non-fiction. They still offer Journalism, Fiction, and Poetry. I'm sure I must be ignorant of something and shouldn't be bemused by non-fiction being created, as it were. I am thankful their aspiring journalists don't yet get a degree in Creative Journalism, or is that now an oxymoron?
"Creative Non-fiction" That
September 25, 2009 - 22:04 ET by celator"Creative Non-fiction"
That doesn't sound good.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
jaywl
September 25, 2009 - 22:28 ET by MightyMouthYour post piqued my interest in this "Creative Non-fiction" stuff. So I checked the defacto standard for the internet Wiki :-)
"Weasle words" aside, the description sounds a lot like what is going on in "Journalism" today. Although not mentioned, Creative Non-Fiction would appear to be something along the lines of a movie screenplay based on a "true" story. I think the problem is that the true story (non-fiction) suffers at the hands of the creative element!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
as a lover of English
September 26, 2009 - 00:19 ET by candanceI get annoyed by people who ridicule English as an easy major. My husband used to be that way - until he enrolled in an MBA program and then came to me begging for help with research papers. After I showed him efficient research and outlining habits, he apologized for teasing me.
Candance
September 26, 2009 - 03:04 ET by MightyMouthWell done in teaching your equally significant husband. But please keep in mind he is only a man. And as we all know, men are lesser beings per God: "And on the sixth day God created man and then thought: 'I can do better!" I am sure your man would agree!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
anarchists, my patootie
September 26, 2009 - 04:22 ET by konoThis was too organized to be authentic anarchists. Note the things they're shouting -- this was nothing but a loose-knit gang of Marxist thugs. Disperse and arrest was the appropriate response.
I am confused
September 26, 2009 - 07:40 ET by bobwhiteIs creative non-fiction the same thing as a lie?
Anarchists = the ultimate
September 26, 2009 - 08:44 ET by RR GOPAnarchists = the ultimate hedonists.
I'd tolerate them if they weren't intent on telling me how to live.
Oh, the irony!
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
These types are just
September 26, 2009 - 08:47 ET by RR GOPThese types are just unhappy that they're not in charge. Hypocrites.
That's why I trust Conservatives. You practically have to drag them out of their homes to get them to protest anything. Clearly not interested in telling other people how to run their lives.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Maybe I am reading
September 26, 2009 - 08:55 ET by HermanoMaybe I am reading something into this story, but these "anarchists" have something right - they want to take back power from the few and, presumably, give it back to the people. I don't know about all of you, but this seems to me to be a lot of what the TEA Parties have been about. And Mr. Todd, if you really want to tow the party line, maybe you should promote them as extremists. Just be careful to make sure you remember to put them on the conservative side like a good little monkey. After all, you did take that "Creative Journalism" class, right?
This, once again, shows me that the Dems and Reps want the same thing - power. We the People need to put an end to it and take our government back.
Only two forms of government? Find out why... http://www.flixxy.co...
A Peacful day of Protests?
September 27, 2009 - 01:09 ET by ChattychitoWhere was this guy, they broke windows, threw rocks at police, burned trash cans and rolled them toward police lines.
These Liberals and Democrats in Black Garb were anything but peaceful.
Now 9/12 was peaceful.
"The ultimate result of shielding men from the effect of folly is to fill the world with fools."
Herbert Spencer's "State Tamperings with Money Banks"
What
September 27, 2009 - 18:54 ET by bknownstThat is peaceful, for Democrats. Remember those are the fine folks who gave us the K.K.K. At least they didn't lynch anybody this time. They also didn't blow up any buildings, like good old William Ayers, close personal friend and mentor to Comrade President Obama did.