With our weekly feature we assess the news landscape over the past seven days and ascertain if one news organization rose up by lowering itself on a consistent basis. Using our very strict arbitrary measurement process, we compile the news outlets departing furthest from journalism standards.
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This week was a tight one for some, as there were narrow differences between the numerous outlets up for consideration, but one managed to distinguish itself. Let’s scratch our heads and hold our noses as we delve into the mayhem.
THE CONTENDERS
POLITIFACT – It has been a week of fractured fact-checks from these experts. They defended Pete Buttigieg from criticism over $7.5 billion spent on eight EV charging stations, telling us the actual number of 38 being installed is vastly preferable. Joe Biden was protected from criticism of dropping $1 billion for African relief while people in the Carolinas still need help; they tell us that our tax dollars coming from a different policy is acceptable. Politifact debated Trump calling his “the most secure border” by both claiming there was a surge in the Spring of 2020 (when…COVID had all but stopped crossings) and then basically contradicting themselves by saying, “When Biden took office, there was a pent-up demand to cross the border due to asylum seekers who were waiting in Mexican border towns because of Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” program and pandemic-related border closures.”
CBS NEWS – The network attempted to justify the United HC shooting by explaining how healthcare costs have risen, as have the percentage of insurance denials. Not mentioned in its piece – the failing enterprise of the Affordable Healthcare Act. Leslie Stahl of “60 Minutes” infamy bemoaned the failing status of the press, saying she had become hobbled, all while never alluding to her own efforts at hobbling, like Kathy Bates in “Misery.” They tried to fact-check Tom Homan on his claim about the amount of Fentanyl deaths in the country and managed to prove him correct.
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NEW YORK TIMES – Jonathan Swan expressed dismay that people in Donald Trump’s cabinet would be loyal to…umm…Donald Trump?? After the Daniel Penny acquittal, the Times framed the subway incident curiously. After years of denying the border crisis, this week we learned there has been the biggest surge in history. While a bit late to the game, the Times joined the chorus by saying that Trump’s tariffs meant to battle fentanyl will tragically lead to a Guacamole crisis.
Winner
ABC NEWS
In a tight race, the network took it at the wire. Martha Raddatz kicked things off with her complaint on the cost of deporting illegals, as if the cost of dealing with them in the country is not higher.
After the IG Report that showed over two dozen people working with the FBI had not only been in the crowd during the January 6 riot but half of them had either entered the Capitol building or were found in restricted areas, ABC went into deflective denial. They followed the party line that there were no “agents” involved but also went further, saying the Feds had no involvement whatsoever.
The capper on the week was the news that the network had to settle the defamation suit brought by Donald Trump. ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to the upcoming Trump Library as well as issuing an on-air retraction. This was a decision that reportedly is angering those inside the network enduring cutbacks and layoffs – apparently a costly trial is preferred over repairing the bias in their journalism.
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