Two million jobs were added in 2005; Novembers initial job growth
was revised upwards by more than 40 percent of the original
estimate; and unemployment dropped below 5 percent, according to
Bureau of Labor Statistics data released January 6. CNNs Andy
Serwer delivered the whole story that featured job growth in
December and a huge revision in November. But NBCs Today show
gave the news a passing mention that ignored 90,000 of the new jobs
created.
NBCs Ann Curry summed up the latest unemployment
report, which was released at 8:30 a.m., with a three-sentence
mention on the January 6 shows 9:00 a.m. news briefing. New
figures this morning show the nations unemployment rate falling a
bit last month, Curry said. The jobless rate stood at 4.9 percent
in December, a drop of one-tenth of a percent. The economy added
108,000 new jobs for the month. She left out the 90,000 jobs that
were added to the revised November results.
But over on CNN, business reporter Serwer actually
included the sharp revision in the November 2005 jobs number, which
went up from 215,000 to 305,000. The Fortune magazine editor
added, thats a lot of jobs youve got, you know, over 400,000
jobs in two months.
Meanwhile on the White House lawn, Fox News
correspondent Wendell Goler mentioned the unemployment numbers while
previewing President Bushs upcoming speech on the economy.
The president's aides feel he doesn't get enough
credit for an economy that they that is doing pretty good
statistically at least 108,000 jobs created in December, that's
actually less than the market expected, Goler noted, adding, the
Labor Department revised upward November's figures from 215,000 jobs
to more than 300. That makes about 1.9 million jobs created in 2005,
more than 4.5 million since May of 03.
Reuters reported that 2.2 million jobs were added to American
payrolls in 2005. The complete unemployment report can be found
here.
NBC Glosses over Strong 2005 Job Growth
January 3rd, 2006 2:00 PM
Font Size