All three networks on Wednesday offered excited descriptions about a global warming deal struck with China by the Obama administration. According to Good Morning America's Jim Avila, the President's Asian visit was supposed to end with "toasts to the landmark global warming agreement." In a follow-up story, Amy Robach parroted the President's claim that it is a "breakthrough climate deal with China."
On CBS This Morning, Norah O'Donnell hyped, "President Obama will arrive in Myanmar this hour after striking a major deal with China on climate change." Today Correspondent Kristen Welker added that "it's all a part of an attempt to show a deeper level of cooperation between the U.S. and China." [For a montage, see MP3 audio here.]
None of the networks allowed criticism of the potential deal. How might the U.S. emit 26 percent less carbon by 2025? What will this mean for taxes? These questions went unasked.
In the New York Times, writer Mark Landler similarly promoted the "landmark agreement." He cheered, "It was the signature achievement of an unexpectedly productive two days of meetings between the leaders."
The Times conceded:
Administration officials acknowledged that Mr. Obama could face opposition to his plans from a Republican-controlled Congress. While the agreement with China needs no congressional ratification, lawmakers could try to roll back Mr. Obama’s initiatives, undermining the United States’ ability to meet the new reduction targets.
On the networks, the journalists seemed more interested in a dispute between the Times and China's President. Avila breathlessly recounted:
AVILA: After weeks of trying, the White House finally convinced China to hold an extremely rare closing news conference with one question from the American press, provocatively choosing the New York Times, which has been battling with China over censorship and access to ask it. And the Times reporter pulled no punches, confronting President Xi. But the Chinese President did not immediately answer, abruptly turning to the Chinese press without even acknowledging the American question. Reporters were stunned, as was Obama who looked directly at the press corp. With a shrug that seemed to say, "what am I going to do?"
A transcript of the November 12 GMA segment is below:
7:10
AMY ROBACH: We begin with the big news overnight from President Obama's visit to China. The U.S. And China announcing a deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama calling it a major milestone. But not everything went so smoothly at a news conference with China's president today. ABC's Jim Avila was there.
JIM AVILA: It was to end with ruffles and flourishes, toasts to the landmark global warming agreement. But instead, nearly overshadowed by a diplomatic snafu right in front of the world press.
BARACK OBAMA: We have agreed, I believe, to take a question from the press.
AVILA: After weeks of trying, the White House finally convinced China to hold an extremely rare closing news conference with one question from the American press, provocatively choosing the New York Times, which has been battling with China over censorship and access to ask it. And the Times reporter pulled no punches, confronting President Xi. But the Chinese President did not immediately answer, abruptly turning to the Chinese press without even acknowledging the American question. Reporters were stunned, as was Obama who looked directly at the press corp. With a shrug that seemed to say, "what am I going to do?" After several minutes, much to the relief of President Obama and his aides, the Chinese leader did finally answer, saying the United States needs to stay out of the Hong Kong situation, and the New York Times, he said, causes its own problems by not following Chinese law. Amy?
