Friday morning all three networks led with the “major development” in public schools after President Obama sent letters to every public school district, ordering them to allow transgender students to use whatever bathroom and locker room they “identify with.” All three networks reported that public schools risk losing their federal funding if they do not comply. While ABC did report the “looming threat,” language was otherwise soft, in comparison to how the networks characterized North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” as “the new Jim Crow.” With North Carolina, all three networks hammered home the LGBT “growing backlash” against the bill, but for this Obama order, they did everything in their power to downplay or ignore parents and students concerns.
NBC’s Today gave the softest report on the issue, with host Matt Lauer stating that Obama was “directing” schools to “allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity”. Correspondent Ron Allen emphasized Obama’s role as an “outspoken advocate for transgender rights” and hyped he was “getting more deeply involved” in the issue. As for backlash? While NBC noted a walkout by students over the issue in 2015, they only added that parents were “confused” and “frustrated” at the lack of “a clear policy on the issue.” An understatement to say the least.
On that note, CBS This Morning reported that the President was simply “advising” school districts to allow transgender students to use the “bathroom of their choice.”
At the same time, CBS did point out the harshness of the President’s new order in other ways. CBS was the only network to note that Obama’s letter read, the order must be upheld even if “students, parents or community members raise objections or concerns.” The on-screen graphic for CBS This Morning also read: “Pressuring public schools” and “WH: Obey new transgender guidelines or lose funds.”
ABC’s report on Good Morning America did the best job at using the strongest language to characterize the letter and it’s opposition. Correspondent Pierre Thomas reported that critics of the law had “slammed” Obama for “strong-arming” local communities and states rights. Asked by Robin Roberts how this directive would be enforced, Thomas responded that there was “a looming threat” of schools losing federal funding if they did not comply.
Still, all this was very mild compared to how hard the networks went after North Carolina for their “bathroom bill.” If the networks had been responsible they wouldn’t have characterized this as Obama “advising” or “directing” schools, as CBS and NBC did, but as the President directly going after states rights and overtly “threatening” school districts.
