For years, NewsBusters and the Business & Media Institute have regularly complained about the abysmal financial coverage offered by the mainstream press while accusing media of consistently painting a negative -- and oftentimes fallacious! -- picture of the economy.
On Friday, a perfect example of such was illustrated by the Associated Press whose article about the February unemployment data just released by the Labor Department grossly misrepresented what was announced.
In fact, the AP's Jeannine Aversa actually fabricated data that went completely contrary to what was reported. Take a close look at paragraph two of Aversa's article published at Yahoo at 9:39AM (emphasis added):
The Labor Department's report, released Friday, also showed that the nation's unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent as hundreds of thousands of people -- perhaps discouraged by their prospects -- left the civilian labor force.
Um, NO! Here's what the Labor Department specifically said about this issue in its Employment Situation Summary released at 8:30AM (emphasis added):
Persons Not in the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
About 1.6 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) were marginally attachedto the labor force in February. These individuals wanted and were available forwork and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were notcounted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. Among the marginally attached, there were 396,000 discouraged workers in February, about the same as a year earlier. Discouraged workers were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed no jobs were available for them. The other 1.2 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in February had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. (See table A-13.)
See that phrase "about the same as a year earlier?" See anything about the number of discouraged workers increasing in February? Where did Aversa find such a claim by the Labor Department?
It certainly couldn't have been in Table A-13 "Persons not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted," which showed that folks out of the workforce due to discouragement actually declined by 71,000 in February!
That's right, folks: the number of people not in the workforce due to discouragement over job prospects, according to the Labor Department, declined from 467,000 in January to 396,000 in February.
Let's look at that second AP paragraph again, shall we:
The Labor Department's report, released Friday, also showed that the nation's unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent as hundreds of thousands of people -- perhaps discouraged by their prospects -- left the civilian labor force.
Where'd you get this, Jeannine?
Honestly, such negligence from most employees in the nation wouldn't be tolerated by their employer. Sadly, those of us that analyze economic reporting see this kind of nonsense from the mainstream media fairly regularly.
Nice job, AP!
Related post by Tom Blumer here.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
About 5% of the population is unemployable
March 7, 2008 - 11:52 ET by YahooWatcheranyways due to the dismal education system in this country and years of socialist entitlement programs keeping many in cycle of helplessness.
In conclusion, anything less than 5%, such as the current 4.8%, is fine with me.
It is all the more incompetent...
March 7, 2008 - 12:01 ET by heldmyw...because of sites like NewsBusters!
When the truth can be brought out in a timely fashion, and nail after nail driven into the coffin of duplicitous and sloppy MSM rubbish, you'd think they'd learn! Can they be so stupid as to imagine they're getting away with this stuff?
The MSM is going to have to learn truth, fairness and honesty if it wants to survive. Then again, it may simply be more efficacious and cost-effective to have the whole shebang, ah, "put down".
»→ I'm pro choice
March 7, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Cool ArrowWhen it comes to News, I am pro choice. So much so that I pay for extended cable so I can watch FOX.
If FOX were a local station, I could do without cable altogether.
♣ a seal
On 101.5 in New Jersey This Morning
March 7, 2008 - 12:08 ET by rbm411On radio station 101.5 this morning as I was driving in my car at 9:38 the business reported came on and said;
1. Markets were in a freefall because of employment. (He really said freefall"
2. He specifically quoted that hundreds of thousands of people had just given up looking for work.
I was horrified until I logged onto Yahoo 10 minutes later and the market was only UP $2.39.
What putzes
Noel, It must pain you when
March 7, 2008 - 12:10 ET by Roger the ShrubberNoel, It must pain you when two brilliant minds (ie: yours and mine) are thinking like. Today's (award winning) Shrub Report® spoke of same topic.
The difference, of course, is your dissection skills are vastly superior this this shrubber's!
The AP misrepresent itself as a news organization
March 7, 2008 - 12:16 ET by c5thenIt seems to me that they are really the rhetorical arm of the DNC.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Um.... Sorry Guys....
March 7, 2008 - 12:21 ET by The Detroit PopulistSorry to disappoint you guys
But I'm one of those unemployed. I have been since 2005.
Luckily for me, I'm in a good situation. But I am unemployed.
Whether this article is biased. Is anyone's guess.
But the unemployment in Michigan is horrible.
-Chuck
Not to denigrate you, but
March 7, 2008 - 12:28 ET by mattmNot to denigrate you, but your point is irrelevant to the issue in this post. The discussion is about the media coverage on the economy being so terrible, specifically the Associated Press.
BTW - you don't have to stay in Michigan.
Uhmmm...
March 7, 2008 - 12:36 ET by The Detroit PopulistYou do, when you're the only child and your parents are in their 60's and you are all they've got, and you don't want to be an a-hole and abondon them.
Know what I mean?
Some of us aren't heartless.
-Chuck
Well, since I am a
March 7, 2008 - 12:59 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, since I am a heartless Conservative, I can only say I admire you for choosing to stay near your family.
However, that being said, you have made a CHOICE to stay in the worst cesspool city in the country. Having the HIGHEST unemployment rate of any US city has to suck.
Thanks....I think?
March 7, 2008 - 13:43 ET by The Detroit Populist<blockquote>
Well, since I am a heartless Conservative, I can only say I admire you for choosing to stay near your family.
However, that being said, you have made a CHOICE to stay in the worst cesspool city in the country. Having the HIGHEST unemployment rate of any US city has to suck.</blockquote>
As I said on my Blog. I don't want pity, really. I am blessed. But it would be nice to make some money for my ability to write.
---
I make Ann Coulter look like a Nun!
"As I said on my Blog. I
March 7, 2008 - 20:47 ET by ckc1227"As I said on my Blog. I don't want pity, really. I am blessed. But it would be nice to make some money for my ability to write."
It would be nice if I could play shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Until that happens, I'll have to make money some other way.
Whoa!
March 7, 2008 - 20:57 ET by BlondeAs we Swedes say....
Oofdah!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
You're parents weren't
March 7, 2008 - 20:44 ET by ckc1227You're parents weren't always in their 60's. And, seems to me you could help them a lot more if you had a job somewhere else as opposed to being an unemployed bum in the same city.
You are the perfect example of liberalism. You want all kinds of things, you just don't want to do what it takes to get them. Instead, you want someone else to do it, have it taken from them by force if necessary, and have it given to you. You should be proud.
As for writing, well, I would tell you not to quit your day job, but.....
Sorry to hear...
March 7, 2008 - 12:39 ET by ontheright...about your situation, truly. However the critique of the story and crux of Noel's point is not related to the topic itself, only the deceitful manner in which it was reported...
Best of luck to you!
Unemployed in Michigan
March 7, 2008 - 12:39 ET by m36b1We had civil engineer from Michigan that had been unemployed for some time come down to Lubbock Texas and get a job instantly. He was amazed at the competition for him down here. His only regret was that he grew up in Michigan, and it was hard for him and his family to leave. That's one great thing about the U.S. - if you really want the American Dream - you can go somewhere to get it. It may not be where you grew up, but that's a choice everybody's got to make. I moved to Texas from the upper midwest (South Dakota) as a civil engineer too because engineers are in such high demand down here. Not so where I am originally from. It was a little wistful moving away, but I have very few regrets now! I would say most (not all) people in certain places in the country stay unemployed because they're reluctant to search elsewhere.
TDP... Are you trying to
March 7, 2008 - 12:44 ET by bigtimerTDP...
Are you trying to say you could not find some kind of a job in three years?
Wow...
The bias in the msm regarding anything economical will always be twisted and spun to look the opposite of any good news that comes out as long as it is a President with an 'R' after their name...they are really gonna' ratchet it up to the utmost with their lying headlines before the election in Nov., just so typical.
I heard some of the twisted headlines last night regarding the unemployment numbers and posted on Tom Blumers thread...it is maddening, but expected anymore by the bias and hypocrisy in the press...this is their agenda...always will be, we know very well if this was Clinton the news would be breaking with the great job he and his administration had done...ticket tape parade and all...
Well it's like this here....
March 7, 2008 - 13:41 ET by The Detroit Populist<blockquote>
Are you trying to say you could not find some kind of a job in three years?
Wow...
</blockquote>
Oh Sure, I could get a job, if I want to work for min wage, But I'm 35 years old. I'd like to make some money, that would be worth getting out of bed over. I'd like some Health Insurance.
On the right side, I have went back to writing, which is something I enjoy. I just wish I could make decent money at it. :-)
-----
I make Ann Coulter look like a Nun!
TDP... Well a lot us in
March 7, 2008 - 13:52 ET by bigtimerTDP...
Well a lot us in life have taken a job that is minimum wage until we could get something better...without complaining about it. It is a paycheck, that includes no health insurance, heck you sure aren't getting any health insurance just writing are you...maybe you should try both, even in places like Seattle, Spokane ect in my area have jobs at places like McDonald's that have health insurance included and the jobs are not minimum wage either...the papers are full of various jobs.. You do what you got to do in life until you can work your way up...some people have no choice and do so without complaining.
As to your parents, unless they are ill you may want to consider moving where you can find something you like that suits you and cutting the apron strings some...you can always visit each other.
Just a thought.
I think I'll just stop this
March 7, 2008 - 13:58 ET by The Detroit PopulistI think I'll just stop this now, because I dearly love my parents, and I don't want to be banned from here for telling some feckless bastard what I think of them..
Good day!
Wow BT - It's unbelievable that what you posted could have
March 7, 2008 - 14:03 ET by Dee Bunksparked this kind of hate. Do you have some history with this guy or is he just super sensitive? I'm not familiar with him.
Morning
March 7, 2008 - 14:06 ET by bigtimerMorning Dee...
LOL...
Nope no history with this gentlemen...first time I have posted to him.
He's a dear fella' isn't he?
Must of hit a nerve I guess.
Oh well...
Wow bt
March 7, 2008 - 14:15 ET by shawn228I thought us liberals were sensitive. He still has not answered your question about how he supports himself. Maybe the reason he does no want to move away has something to do with his "good situation" ;-)
Good morning shawn... I
March 7, 2008 - 14:18 ET by bigtimerGood morning shawn...
I tend to agree with you deduction...lol.
Btw...I don't know if he is a conservative, sure doesn't sound like one.
JMHO
Good morning bt....
March 7, 2008 - 14:21 ET by shawn228Perhaps he can get a job as a PR person for Ford, Chevy, or Chrysler. Seems like such a people person doncha think?
Oh shawn... I am roaring
March 7, 2008 - 14:25 ET by bigtimerOh shawn...
I am roaring with laughter with your post...I kid you not.
Thanks...
...such a people person...ROFL!
Hi BT - I guess I'm lucky he left before he got to my comment
March 7, 2008 - 14:16 ET by Dee Bunkbelow.
Dee... He hasn't answered
March 7, 2008 - 14:20 ET by bigtimerDee...
He hasn't answered my questions either, I have one below the one you posted too...
Oh well..time will tell.
Chuck
March 7, 2008 - 13:08 ET by Noel SheppardChuck,
Not to be disrespectful, but what does unemployment in Michigan or your personal financial situation have to do with this article? Did I suggest that there AREN'T ANY unemployed people in America, or Michigan? Did I imply the AP was errant in reporting that there are people without jobs?
Please advise, for your comment is rather confusing. ns
No But.
March 7, 2008 - 13:37 ET by The Detroit PopulistNoel,
It just irks me, that Conservatives act like there is no unemployed people and that the world is just fine.
and it's a lie. and the attitude of the Conservatives is "Tough S--T".
and until that Changes. Conservatism will what it is now, A joke.
------------
I make Ann Coulter look like a Nun!
TDP - did it irk you when Clinton was President and the media
March 7, 2008 - 13:53 ET by Dee Bunkacted like there was no unemployment? There is always unemployment. It's impossible and not even desirable to have full employment.
Free Market
March 7, 2008 - 14:04 ET by m36b1That's a great point Dee Bunk - gumdrops and rainbows when Clinton was President - right? I fail to see some folks assertion that Conservatism is a joke because some people are unemployed. Hunh? Perhaps some states like Michigan needs to purge themselves of their socialist state governments, including its governor, but that isn't likely to happen because, hey - they say "awww" and rave against the "eeevil" corporations. Never mind that the overinflated union wages and benefits, along with the state govt's oppressive taxes and regulations just drive out true employers. After all, the last I heard companies aren't in business just to go bankrupt for the sake of socialism. Conservatism's a joke? That's why companies leave places like Michigan? I beg to differ.
M36b1 - I agree - it's very annoying when people in states
March 7, 2008 - 14:28 ET by Dee Bunkwith above average unemployment blame the Federal Government.
"It just irks me, that
March 7, 2008 - 20:33 ET by ckc1227"It just irks me, that Conservatives act like there is no unemployed people and that the world is just fine. and it's a lie. and the attitude of the Conservatives is "Tough S--T". and until that Changes. Conservatism will what it is now, A joke."
Hey "man", how some "straw" with that whine.
Chuck, I sympathize with your plight, but only to a point.
March 8, 2008 - 00:19 ET by R D HelmIt concerns me that you have been unemployed for three years.
I am in a similar situation, as I am having to take care of my aging parents, and they are well beyond their sixties. My father is eighty years old and suffering from severe Alzheimer's. My mother is seventy-eight years old and suffering from severe diabetes.
I lost a very good paying job back in June due to the fact that I was one of the highest paid people in the office. I am in the land surveying/engineering field in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. I was a project manager at a small land surveying outfit. The "mortgage crisis" has literally devastated my chosen field, as residential and commercial development has been severely impacted. I have been rather fortunate to have found a couple of short-term contract gigs in the interim, but I haven't made a dime since Dec. 31st.
Because of my family situation, like you, I cannot leave the area just now, even though with my skills and background, I could move out to Texas and be making $35/hr, or more, the very next day. I am currently in line for what may just be the only office gig in my chosen field within 100 miles of me. If I do not get this position, I may very well wind up taking something in the $10 to $12 per hour range, which is less than half of what I am used to making.
Fortunately, I had some money put away when I got canned, but I just forked out $2600 for a furnace replacement last week, as well as for a sewer line back up, which cost me another $500.
If you are getting turned down for lesser jobs, my advice is to play dumb, as I am within a week or two of having to do similarly if the job I interviewed for doesn't pan out.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
It's not negligence or
March 7, 2008 - 12:26 ET by mattmIt's not negligence or incompetence, it's outright fraud.
We predicted this. When ever it's an election year when a Republican is president, the economy is a disaster, when a Democrat is president, economic bad news is unreported, or spun as good news which is all you get.
The actual economic facts don't matter....as per usual.
Bingo mattm. Here's but one example...
March 7, 2008 - 13:12 ET by Gary HallBingo mattm. Here's but one example...
First the facts:
Robert Scheer, a former LA Times opinion columnist, a bit of satire here on his part. I quote Scheer, because he was true to form for a leftist, screaming about the hit the minorities were taking (while the MSM protected their own - Clinton/Gore). June 6, 2000, LA Times:
Then follows the MSM presentation:
Two months later, as the economy continued to unravel, this was the typical MSM presentation:
Aug, 2000. The DOW was off it's high by 1,100 points, the Nasdaq was down some 50% from it's highs, unemployment claims were soaring, CA was in the midst of the Enron blamed energy crisis, the manufacturing index had been in a steep plummet and was nearing the low point in the cycle (continued down until April 2001); here's Charlie Gibson, ABC World News anchor, pushing the campaign of Al Gore because the economy is so strong:
And who in the MSM was not pitching it the same as Charlie Gibson?
Noel - CRAZY !!!!!
March 7, 2008 - 12:30 ET by MrShyWhat's (disgustingly) more, look at this:
http://money.cnn.com...
After the headline "Job losses: Worst in 5 years" comes the subhead:
Payrolls sink in February, fueling recession anxiety. Unemployment rate declines, but that's because there are fewer people in the workforce.
First off, they had to put that "disclaimer/asterisk" bit in the subhead, rather than where it belongs, in a paragraph somewhere in the body of the article. But the TOPPER is their new f-@$%-ing (sorry, just steamed) header/banner:
Recession Watch 2008
Huh? WATCH ??? What is going on here!?!? They're basically outting themselves and admitting that they're sitting there, salivating and waiting for the economy to tank, so they can FINALLY get that free pass to the White House. It's sickening!
Noel & NB'ers, help me out here because I'll admit I'm no big economic and number-crunching expert (I'm mostly that big "Bush fan" :p) but unless my hearing and eyesight is going, for a good year or two now I've been hearing that damn word "recession" as much if not more than the words "Obama" and"Hillary". ARE we close to a recession? Have we been in one for a day even in the past year??
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
TDP, sorry to hear of your
March 7, 2008 - 13:48 ET by BrownCowTDP, sorry to hear of your situation. Its amazing that even McDonalds and Taco Bell have life timers... Usually someone that is in dire need can get a quick filler job there, no ?
I have parents in their mid 60's living in my state of origin. I moved away to be able to provide for my family. I really miss my parents and can not adjust to the environmental changes as I went from the great northwest to the desert southwest. I do however have a decent job and my wife as well as soon to join us child (end of april) can eat. GL in you future endeavours.
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. -Ronald Reagan
You must kidding
March 7, 2008 - 13:55 ET by The Detroit Populist<quote>TDP, sorry to hear of your situation. Its amazing that even McDonalds
and Taco Bell have life timers... Usually someone that is in dire need
can get a quick filler job there, no ?</quote>
I tried working there years ago. Was told I'm too old and wanted too many hours. Over qualified. Can you believe it?
I write. It's what I love. I just which I could make money at it.
I'd like to be a syndicated Columnist. I'm a "Two steps to the right of center" type of a guy. I'd like to write on things that I find funny or comment on the Politics of the day.
I'm not Ann Coulter, But I can hold my own. However, I do think that the grateful dead's music ought to be outlawed. *shudder* ;-P
------------
I make Ann Coulter look like a Nun!
Told you were too old? Oh
March 7, 2008 - 14:02 ET by bigtimerTold you were too old?
Oh please...give me a break.
I have had three different jobs at once in two different towns at one time in my life...without a vehicle too, supporting my son... pull yourself up by the boot-straps and quit complaining...geesh...
Just how do you survive anyway?
Just curious...your parents?
I guess all I am getting at
March 7, 2008 - 14:09 ET by BrownCowI guess all I am getting at is that when you NEED a job you can find one even at a place that is not "ideal". Heck, if your going for something really basic dont include a job in the application that would make you look over qualified...
I had my retired father inlaw applying for jobs at local golf courses and even the PGA tour store with his current resume showing that he was previously the CEO of three consecutive companies. They all gave him the one raised eyebrow and never called back.
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. -Ronald Reagan
Well he could the Forest
March 7, 2008 - 14:24 ET by Dan The Man 2Well he could the Forest Gump thing and mow lawns, except he mowed them for free.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Employment
March 7, 2008 - 16:43 ET by merlin61You have stated more than once that you like to
write. After reading your comments, you have
many spelling and correct English errors. You
can't be a writer if you can't compose correctly.
You spelled "wish" as " which" and another
sentence that made no sense at all. Go back to
school and take English grammar courses and
writing courses and maybe you can be a writer.
In the meantime, a part-time job anywere is a
supplement to your well-being and will keep you
busy.
Merlin give King Aurther a
March 7, 2008 - 16:51 ET by Dan The Man 2Merlin give King Aurther a break. This is a blog and most times done on the fly, so spelling and puncuation and even grammar are sometimes sacrificed to get a quick response out. Specifically we dont want grammar Nazis here. On a blog it is important to get your idea out more tahn spell it correct. Now proper choice of words is important and one must realize what one to chose. :=)
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Dan, your point is well
March 7, 2008 - 17:39 ET by Indiana JoeDan, your point is well taken. However, for someone who aspires to be paid for writing, TDP's posts leave a lot to be desired. I don't think Merlin was being a "grammar Nazi."
There is, after all, a purpose to the "preview comment" button, no?
You say I don't think
March 7, 2008 - 18:27 ET by Dan The Man 2You say I don't think Merlin was being a "grammar Nazi and niether do I. His was criticisim and if TDP was submitting his work for publication I would hope he would write better and communicate more effectively. My comment of grammar Nazi was directed more towards those posters who are famous for being grammar Nazis. I jsut dont want to see this blog stoop to the GN level.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
two words.
March 7, 2008 - 20:17 ET by The Detroit Populistup yours, prick...
Uh....TDP
March 7, 2008 - 22:20 ET by timzankI don't mean to be critical, but "up yours, prick" is actually THREE words.
Shawn
March 7, 2008 - 14:24 ET by DelsaMaybe you are not as liberal as you think you are??
Just saying?
Delsa
March 7, 2008 - 14:31 ET by shawn228I have always said I am a independent that is left of center. Believe me, I am not blind about the Democratic follies at all.
Shawn
March 7, 2008 - 14:39 ET by DelsaPoint taken and I was attempting humor.
You are A O K with me and as an aside, I never thought you were blind. As a matter of fact sounds like your eyes are just fine.
Noel's point is
March 7, 2008 - 14:36 ET by Delsawell taken. I believe the AP and other msm outlets have some sort of driving interest in tearing down our economy in general.
I am as we all type listening to a Congressional hearing where the brain dead democrats lead by E H Norton of DC, are grilling leanding CEO over their pay/
I wish one of these guys would say something like, "when you take over our companies, you can set our salaries"!
Democrats in charge in a majority way scares the hell out of me.
If they have total control, the AP report will have been self fulfilling.
Good job Noel
Democrats in charge in a
March 7, 2008 - 16:41 ET by Dan The Man 2Democrats in charge in a majority way scares the hell out of me. I go one further Politicians in charge in a majority way scares the hell out of me.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
These numbers are bad .? What ?
March 8, 2008 - 00:17 ET by JayTeeMan, did they talk down the Economy on the News this evening. WOW...I really believe we are knee deep in a Recession...if I can just get that Talking head to tell me the Details....of "These numbers are Bad"....what numbers ?
4.8% un-employment is Bad ? Bill Clinton never saw those low numbers for years.
And evidently we had HUGE numbers of people leavng the workforce...whomever they were ... the MSM didn't trust me with the details, as they did not explain why/who/where. Maybe the Feds are Deporting illegals ? nah...that's not it.
I guess we will be "Recessionized" all this weekend....but if we have un-employment going down, why are all these people leaving the workforce ? Did Someone start checking for valid SocSec #'s ?
Gulliver
March 8, 2008 - 09:24 ET by catnamedjakeDoom & gloom! Idiot MSM. Why? Why does everything have to be so horrible? Not being able to get a job? That's THE single biggest crock I ever heard. Anyone who says this just refuses to do anything they don't want to. AND, anyone who says they are "taking care of their 60 yr old parents" is living in the parents house, "free of charge". Where I work (3rd shift in a food production plant) we have a saying--- DIG IN