In the latest edition of the NewsBusters Podcast, Tim Graham addresses the brand-new book by CNN's in-house Fox basher, Brian Stelter. His Fox-bashing book is titled HOAX: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth. It's selling like hotcakes in the feverish world of Trump haters. Stelter is selling it on his own network, as well as on MSNBC shows, and a 43-minute interview on National Public Radio. Tim takes on the notion that relies so heavily on anonymous sources inside Fox. Why should we trust sources like this in a book by a CNN host ripping into Fox?
Tim also delves into convention coverage again, noting some of the categories of convention bias that NewsBusters bloggers are investigating in every election cycle when exposing bias and double standards when the parties convene. These include:
Tone. The Republican convention is always dark and hateful and ultraconservative, while the Democrats are inspirational and somehow "super centrist."
Fact-Checking. The "fact police" always get extremely active when Republicans talk, because liberals think it's preposterous that, say, Joe Biden will impose socialism if elected. PolitiFact cries "False" and The Washington Post throws Pinocchios at Republicans, but go limp when Democrats are in the spotlight. Oh, they "fact check" Democrats, but it's mostly a big bucket of No Problem.
Inclusion. The Republican convention is always narrowcasting to a fringy base, while the Democrats have a "big tent." This year, they're touting all these "Republicans" for Joe Biden, like Colin Powell endorsing a Democrat for the fourth presidential election in a row.
Controversies. The media love talking up scandals and controversies and kerfuffles at the Republican convention, and all of that gets dismissed as a "distraction" when the Democrats get together.
You can listen here, or check it out wherever you enjoy podcasts.
