Global Warming Doomsayer Sees End of Civilization
If there were a Society of Global Warming Alarmists, Bill McKibben might get kicked out for being too much of a worry wart . . . You've probably seen those phone-message forms with check boxes in ascending order of urgency from "FYI—no need to return call" all the way up to "the future of civilization hangs in the balance." We might see that last category as light-hearted exaggeration, but it's…
ChiTrib Uses Chronic Debtor to Decry Internet Loans
The risks and benefits of so-called payday lending are certainly worthwhile of media coverage, and genuine instances of fraud or exploitation are and should be fodder for criticism in the print media. But it helps when your highlighted victim actually has good credit to start with and/or isn't consistently turning to Internet loans to supplement income. No matter to Chicago Tribune's Stephen…
AP: 'Good Economic News Something of a Mirage
In the past several months, NewsBusters has seriously questioned the reporting of the Associated Press's Jeannine Aversa given her proclivity to misrepresent economic data.On Saturday, Aversa wrote an opinion piece that fully explained why she sees gloom and doom in every government statistic regardless of whether or not it's warranted.Here's how Aversa began her analysis entitled "Good Economic…
Apple Is Rotten at Being Green; Where's Director Gore, or the Media
It must be nice to be on Old Media's "free pass" list.
For years, Apple Computer has been on that list (disclosure: yours truly is a 23-year Mac user). Apple has been the cool, innovative tech darling, the noble foil of big, bad monopolist Microsoft.
Another free-pass beneficiary is Al Gore, who sits on Apple's Board of Directors.
Wait until you see what ClimateCounts.org thinks of Apple's…
MSNBC: Man Avoids 'Sky High Gas Prices' by Riding Horse
Gas prices got you down? Ride a horse, says MSNBC. On a "MSNBC Live," report on "sky high gas prices" anchor Tamron Hall relayed the story of one man who is using a horse rather than a vehicle, but did not explain some important reasons why prices have soared. "The high prices have led ... one Tennessee man to find a more fuel efficient way to get around town in Bradley County: The guy…
Nightline Attacks ‘Edible Food-Like Substances’ in One-Sided Repor
Mother knows best? Or journalist does?ABC's "Nightline" seems to think so when it comes to nutrition advice. The May 8 broadcast featured health tips from a writer with no scientific background encouraging viewers to only eat food their mother would recognize.Michael Pollan, a long-time opponent of "agribusiness" - the food industry - was featured in a segment on his new book, "In Defense of…
US News’s Zuckerman: I Don't Give to Politicians; Records Show He Ha
It's not unusual for journalists to attempt to distance themselves from the appearance of political ties, especially when trying not to be perceived as biased. But saying you do and actually doing are two separate things. U.S. News & World Report Editor-in-Chief and chairman of Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP) Mort Zuckerman was asked about donating money to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen…
NY Times Reporter Twice Charged With Plagiarism Disparages Salmon Indu
How many times will The New York Times publish a disreputable reporter's work before it learns its lesson? Perhaps the third time will be the charm. Alexei Barrionuevo has under come under fire for plagiarism on two separate occasions, but the Times printed a story March 27 ("Salmon Virus Indicts Chile's Fishing Methods") by Barrionuevo anyway, prompting a response from the salmon industry.…
ChiTrib Notes How Anti-Wal-Mart Hysteria Hurting Windy City
Wal-Mart is right up there with "Big Oil" as a left-wing bogeyman, and the mainstream media are often on the side of liberal activists screaming "Boo!" as our friends at the Business & Media Institute can attest. But today's Chicago Tribune laid out how "[b]ig city politics trumps low prices" with a labor union victory over Wal-Mart's plans to erect a store within city limits.The paper's Web…
‘Nightly News’ Praises ‘Goliath’ Home Depot’s Demise
How could job loss for 80 small-town residents be a "great story?" When it means the defeat of a "big box" "Goliath" said NBC.On May 7, NBC "Nightly News" gleefully reported the closing of a Home Depot in Brattleboro, Vt. The closure is part of the company's plan to close 15 of its roughly 2,200 stores due to underperformance. NBC portrayed it as "David versus Goliath," and praised the little…
ABC’s Housing Crisis Newest Bad Guy: The Builder
It must be difficult every night for the media to find a fresh angle on the housing downturn. Perhaps the so-called "victim" angle is played out, so ABC's May 7 "Nightline" blamed the builders. The broadcast featured Maricopa, Ariz., a community near Phoenix where one in 10 homes is for sale. "While existing homes go begging for buyers, builders continued putting up new houses," said ABC…
AP's Crutsinger 'Clings to Recession' Despite Improving Data
The Associated Press's business writers just won't let go of their claim (or is it audacious hope?) that we are in a recession -- not heading towards one, but actually in one. Despite yet another decent economic report, this one on productivity, the AP's Martin Crutsinger downplayed a significant beating of expectations, and continued to invoke the R-word (bolds are mine): Worker productivity…
Another Day, Another Snapshot of Media Pumping Out Gas Price Hype
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and media hype about gasoline prices. On television that third item often takes place not just in your usual standup at a gas station interviewing outraged motorists. In Web-based media, however, the still shot is worth 1,000 barrels.We've noted how CNN.com has done it. Today, it's ABCNews.com with its front-page teaser headline "Oil: Another Day,…
