Fake News/Media Syndrome

ReverendHellh0und said:

They only retract when caught. never on their own. often they know the story if false, sit on it let it fester then when the damage is done, quietly retract or edit.

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Alas your assessment is too often the pure truth.

Grim17 said:

As many know, this topic is one I spend a lot of time on around here.

Bias in the mainstream news media is a huge problem in America. I'm not talking about bias in political opinion shows, because that is expected. I'm talking about the bias that exists in what is presented to the public as the "hard news".

Here's an example in the days prior to the 2016 election, of how political bias can skew the news. I did this analysis myself and broke the entire report down to show the FACTS about how this story was presented:
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...ook-example-liberal-bias-nbcs-today-show.html


Then you have bias by omission:
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...erage-trump-accusers-vs-wikileaks-emails.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...sive-story-clinton-s-hacked-email-server.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...obama-adm-immigration-big-3-ignore-story.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...s-36-hours-news-programming-and-not-word.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...cbs-hands-uo-dont-shoot-and-doj-findings.html

How about news outlets actively trying to help one side over the other:
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...but-there-no-such-thing-liberal-bias-msm.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...ew-york-times-alters-clinton-email-story.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...eft-and-their-media-they-make-difference.html

These 2 go together:
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias...-pipeline-passes-so-does-big-3-reporting.html
https://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-in-the-media/217717-big-3-and-presidents-vetos-keystone.html


Those we just examples of posts that I created here at DP... There are dozens and dozens of other examples here and all over the internet.

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I didn't click on more than a few links--there are a LOT of links there --but your point is well taken. Not only all over the internet but in the daily newspaper, on television, sometimes on the radio though even straight news reporting on the radio seems to be less offensive than much of the print media and television, and certainly social media which would go back to the internet. The blatant misleading bias and misrepresentations were and are rampant in the months leading up to the election and currently.

That's why I encourage those who care about this topic to keep posting the new instances that come up as well as old ones until we make a case so obvious that even the most partisan among us can see the problem. I keep hoping that dwindling audience and readers plus constant exposure of their partisan bias and misrepresentation and blatant effort to direct the public perception will cause them to rethink what they are doing and clean up their respective acts.

I voted serious because Trump's "fake news" onslaught undermines belief in the real news, and allows him and his supporters to run away with the doubts that they introduced. Very Goebbels.

Reality inisists that

"Credible media outlets have a low error rate and a near 100% correction rate (usually within hours) if they make a mistake.

Trump has made more than 1,600 false claims since taking office and has a 0% correction rate."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/grap...ms-database/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.7e2c55176466 …

SheWolf said:

Anybody with journalistic integrity should retract false stories. If the stories were not retracted and responsibility not taken, this would be far more concerning. Despite some changes like FB, blogging, and foreign countries pushing propaganda into our media market, the entire meme is propaganda. Journalistic intergity is not dead.

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Retraction isn't sufficient, most especially when the story has had time to fester and metastaticize. When the retraction is on inside pages below the fold where few will ever see it instead of on the front page with a big headline where the original story ran, the retraction does little to educate the public on the truth. When television news spends long segments for days reporting erroneous facts, a simple one time onscreen admission does not undo the damage. And when the news source just quietly edits the information on their website--the usual form of 'retraction--they do absolutely nothing to remedy the erroneous news that has been copied and pasted and cited many thousands of times elsewhere.

AlbqOwl said:

Retraction isn't sufficient, most especially when the story has had time to fester and metastaticize. When the retraction is on inside pages below the fold where few will ever see it instead of on the front page with a big headline where the original story ran, the retraction does little to educate the public on the truth. When television news spends long segments for days reporting erroneous facts, a simple one time onscreen admission does not undo the damage. And when the news source just quietly edits the information on their website--the usual form of 'retraction--they do absolutely nothing to remedy the erroneous news that has been copied and pasted and cited many thousands of times elsewhere.

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You act like this is a huge new problem in American jornalism, and it's not. We were led into a war, Shirley Sherrod was fired and lost her job, people live in different realities based on what media they consume. The problem isn't that journalism had been comprimised. If you believe everything you read, if you can't see the bias and slant in the you consume, then that is the real problem. Nothing has changed.

ReverendHellh0und said:

They only retract when caught. never on their own. often they know the story if false, sit on it let it fester then when the damage is done, quietly retract or edit.

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They can only retract when they know they were wrong. Propaganda masquerading has news does not retract. Propaganda will, at best, cause confusion and lead to it's consumers to pick there own reality and not trust anything outside their little bubble. That's the irony of this little meme you're pushing.

I constantly say that I am on this website to expose myself to different views and gauge the perception of others, it's like trying to figure out where the current zeitgiest is. I try to avoid tunnel vision and living in a bubble. Political outrage and concerns comes in waves and fads, and this is no different. I don't see any evidence our media has been compromised and journalistic integrity is dead. Our media isn't going the way of Russian media or Pakistani media. If I see that happening, I will be really concerned. Hang in there, in a few more years you're going be worried about something else.

SheWolf said:

You act like this is a huge new problem in American jornalism, and it's not. We were led into a war, Shirley Sherrod was fired and lost her job, people live in different realities based on what media they consume. The problem isn't that journalism had been comprimised. If you believe everything you read, if you can't see the bias and slant in the you consume, then that is the real problem. Nothing has changed.

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This is a new thing in journalism in the last few decades. Yes there has always been error as none of us are infallible, and there has always been bias on the editorial page--in fact, that is what the editorial page is for i.e. opinion rather than straight news. But other than the more obscure yellow journalism sources, most media took pride in their integrity to be fair and honest editorially as well as in the straight news. But as a member of the media, I have NEVER seen the absolute unbridled distortion and deliberate misrepresentation in the media as we have seen in recent times.

Manc Skipper said:

I voted serious because Trump's "fake news" onslaught undermines belief in the real news, and allows him and his supporters to run away with the doubts that they introduced. Very Goebbels.

Reality inisists that

"Credible media outlets have a low error rate and a near 100% correction rate (usually within hours) if they make a mistake.

Trump has made more than 1,600 false claims since taking office and has a 0% correction rate."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/grap...ms-database/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.7e2c55176466 …

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News flash. President Trump is not the media. Can we focus on media here please? Focusing on media instead of Trump bashing, you might choose to change your vote.

AlbqOwl said:

This is a new thing in journalism in the last few decades. Yes there has always been error as none of us are infallible, and there has always been bias on the editorial page--in fact, that is what the editorial page is for i.e. opinion rather than straight news. But other than the more obscure yellow journalism sources, most media took pride in their integrity to be fair and honest editorially as well as in the straight news. But as a member of the media, I have NEVER seen the absolute unbridled distortion and deliberate misrepresentation in the media as we have seen in the last few decades.

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I saw distortion and misrepresentation in the lead up to the war in Iraq. Other people were so worried and scared of terrorism, on top of being proud and resentful towards Saddam, that they were completely blind to it.

People choice there outrage, and today, it's fake news. I really really don't think the media is in much worse state than it was under GWB. No doubt, 24 hour news and internet has changed our media, but you have to be smart and selective as to what consider legit news source. Even try watching international news to gain some perspective. It's far more informative on world events.

ReverendHellh0und said:

there have been more retractions since trump than anytime in past history. it's over and over again.

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For sure George W. Bush was hated by most of the press, but there was more accuracy in reporting during his term than what we are seeing now. Rightwing social media and the internet has way too often been maliciously erroneous in what it put/puts out there re Obama, Hillary, and others on the left and I hate that with a passion because I would like to think conservatives are above that sort of thing. But obviously many are not.

But I have NEVER seen the level of malicious hatred and contempt that the media levels at President Trump. They accuse him of being racist, homophobic, sexist, etc. etc. etc. based on the flimsiest and silliest extrapolation of what he has said into something he obviously never said or intended in any way. He is accused of telling lie after lie when if you look at the vast majority of those accusations, they are based on the most flimsy and silly extrapolations of something he said into something he didn't say and/or intend.

And it isn't just Trump they do it to. A member on this thread pointed out a specific example: When Obama made his 57 state gaffe, there were some hateful comments made but most of us and certainly the media just chuckled because it was obvious he meant to say 27 states.

But when Sarah Palin misspoke and said North Korea when she obviously meant South Korea, the entire media complex, the internet, social media was brutal in condemning her ignorance. And they cut her no slack whatsoever.

It is that kind of thing that should drive anybody who is fair minded straight up the wall.

AlbqOwl said:

For sure George W. Bush was hated by most of the press, but there was more accuracy in reporting during his term than what we are seeing now. Rightwing social media and the internet has way too often been maliciously erroneous in what it put/puts out there re Obama, Hillary, and others on the left and I hate that with a passion because I would like to think conservatives are above that sort of thing. But obviously many are not.

But I have NEVER seen the level of malicious hatred and contempt that the media levels at President Trump. They accuse him of being racist, homophobic, sexist, etc. etc. etc. based on the flimsiest and silliest extrapolation of what he has said into something he obviously never said or intended in any way. He is accused of telling lie after lie when if you look at the vast majority of those accusations, they are based on the most flimsy and silly extrapolations of something he said into something he didn't say and/or intend.

And it isn't just Trump they do it to. A member on this thread pointed out a specific example: When Obama made his 57 state gaffe, there were some hateful comments made but most of us and certainly the media just chuckled because it was obvious he meant to say 27 states.

But when Sarah Palin misspoke and said North Korea when she obviously meant South Korea, the entire media complex, the internet, social media was brutal in condemning her ignorance. And they cut her no slack whatsoever.

It is that kind of thing that should drive anybody who is fair minded straight up the wall.

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A lot of Americans think Trump is racist and xenophobic. A lot minorities also feel the same way about him and his rhetoric.

I can tell it bothers you, but that is the fact of reality. For you to classify that as malicious, hateful, and contempt is a little too much. A lot of people thought Obama was racist and many other things. Glenn Beck got on the news and made some pretty astounding statements, but you have never seen anything like this before? Really?

The media isn't treating Trump any worse than Fox News has treated Hillary and Obama. You should really just admit that.

AlbqOwl said:

News flash. President Trump is not the media. Can we focus on media here please? Focusing on media instead of Trump bashing, you might choose to change your vote.

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Newsflash: President Trump (plus foreign and domestic allies) are actively undermining the media, in org=der to further THEIR fake message.

AlbqOwl said:

For sure George W. Bush was hated by most of the press, but there was more accuracy in reporting during his term than what we are seeing now. Rightwing social media and the internet has way too often been maliciously erroneous in what it put/puts out there re Obama, Hillary, and others on the left and I hate that with a passion because I would like to think conservatives are above that sort of thing. But obviously many are not.

But I have NEVER seen the level of malicious hatred and contempt that the media levels at President Trump. They accuse him of being racist, homophobic, sexist, etc. etc. etc. based on the flimsiest and silliest extrapolation of what he has said into something he obviously never said or intended in any way. He is accused of telling lie after lie when if you look at the vast majority of those accusations, they are based on the most flimsy and silly extrapolations of something he said into something he didn't say and/or intend.

And it isn't just Trump they do it to. A member on this thread pointed out a specific example: When Obama made his 57 state gaffe, there were some hateful comments made but most of us and certainly the media just chuckled because it was obvious he meant to say 27 states.

But when Sarah Palin misspoke and said North Korea when she obviously meant South Korea, the entire media complex, the internet, social media was brutal in condemning her ignorance. And they cut her no slack whatsoever.

It is that kind of thing that should drive anybody who is fair minded straight up the wall.

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It should, but instead you get called a "trump meat bag" for pointing out the obvious.

iliveonramen said:

The Daily Caller article: Soros-Connected Company Provides Voting Machi | The Daily Caller

I don't typically read Buzz Feed or The Daily Caller. I know that NYT, Post and other mainstream media is under more scrutiny than smaller publications. Unless its a sex tape or other tabloid style media it's the mainstream media that publishes the breaking news. They will make mistakes but their job is to find the mistake and post a correction. Other smaller publications aren't under the same level of scrutiny so to me that makes them less trustworthy as news sources.

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You'll notice that right wing web sites, talk show hosts & FOX NEWS will continually refer to the main stream media as the "lame stream media"--and their favorite target is the Washington Post and the New York Times. These two have to verify their information by 3 qualified sources before it goes into print, and if they get it wrong they are required to retract or correct the story--as does main stream media outlets. This is something they hate to do so they make every effort to get it right the first time.

Others that are outside of this group, Brietbart news, the Drudge Report, etc. etc. etc. are not required to do the same. So they are free to influence people with bogus information. You're right, all of the FAKE or wholly DISTORTED news is coming out of these outlets, and unfortunately FOX NEWS--whom are doing everything they can to deflect news rather than report it.

And of course the right has the microphones.



A very good article on how they have manipulated so many in this country.
Donald Trump breaks the conservative media - Business Insider

As Conor Friedersdorf wrote last year in the Atlantic: “the elements of the party that sent pro-Trump cues or to primary voters—Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Sara Palin, Jeff Sessions, Rick Scott, Jan Brewer, Joe Arpaio, Rudi Guiliani, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Breitbart.com, The Drudge Report, The New York Post,—are simply more powerful, relative to National Review, Mitt Romney, John McCain, and other ‘Trump is unacceptable’ forces, than previously thought.”

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https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/10/the-gop-that-failed-215243

And through this right wing media bubble that so many have insisted on living in for the last 2 decades, they have lost all critical thinking skills of their own.

They are so accustomed to turning on the radio or T.V. and getting the "news they want to hear." Which is 3 or more daily hours of right wing hyperbole, half truths, misconceptions along with enough conspiracy theories to fill the capital building from floor to ceiling. Basically information that is regurtiated and then spoon fed back to them. Henceforth, the rise of someone like DONALD TRUMP, they are attracted too, because he is being promoted by these same right wing websites and talk show hosts.

Manc Skipper said:

Newsflash: President Trump (plus foreign and domestic allies) are actively undermining the media, in org=der to further THEIR fake message.

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So you are blaming trump for the plethora of retractions that have had to occur since his election?

SheWolf said:

They can only retract when they know they were wrong. Propaganda masquerading has news does not retract. Propaganda will, at best, cause confusion and lead to it's consumers to pick there own reality and not trust anything outside their little bubble. That's the irony of this little meme you're pushing.

I constantly say that I am on this website to expose myself to different views and gauge the perception of others, it's like trying to figure out where the current zeitgiest is. I try to avoid tunnel vision and living in a bubble. Political outrage and concerns comes in waves and fads, and this is no different. I don't see any evidence our media has been compromised and journalistic integrity is dead. Our media isn't going the way of Russian media or Pakistani media. If I see that happening, I will be really concerned. Hang in there, in a few more years you're going be worried about something else.

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Sure it does.


For example, it was the move of the day when after a mass shooting to opine which tea party member committed the act, then when it turns out the guy was left of center to pretend it was never discussed. like the ross incidents they put it out there, and only when caught do they make the change. show me one time that CNN realized they were wrong before others and correcting it.


hell most of the time, CNN leaves the lie in the headline up and puts the retraction at the end, knowing full well most people just read headlines.

ReverendHellh0und said:

It should, but instead you get called a "trump meat bag" for pointing out the obvious.

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Well, you ran around this site for years calling Obama a racist. But now it's some kind of hate filled character attack on Trump?

SheWolf said:

Well, you ran around this site for years calling Obama a racist. But now it's some kind of hate filled character attack on Trump?

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I did?

I said he made a racist statement when he said his grandmother's racism was typical of white people. I said he used race when convienent. but did I call him a racist? I don't think so as I don't think he is.


I'm not sure how this relates to the discussion though.

AlbqOwl said:

I hope it is possible at DP to have a serious, civil discussion re the serious business of media coverage that is:

1. Biased to the point of dishonesty
2. Erroneous to the point of incompetence
3. Fake news in that it is information created or repeated or represented in a way that is deliberately false.

Based on posts and people recruited to be talking heads on television, it seems obvious some think this syndrome doesn't exist at all or it is purely an invention of Fox News. Others are diligently pointing out that it does exist and is mean, cruel, hateful, and detrimental to us as a society whether in the mainstream media, on the internet, or on social media.

So what do you think? This is the thread to express your opinions and impressions and also to post examples of fake/erroneous/misrepresented news that you run across and/or examples of news labeled 'fake' that turned out to be true.

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There are always limitations on how accurately the news is presented. The issue is that the underlying facts are generally not actually in dispute, so people just wish away any reporting that disagrees with their desired narrative. It's an act of cowardice to fail to address what someone has to say by simply calling it a lie without evidence to back that assertion up.

Oh and the media has two poles; one at center left, one at far right. One of those is much more reliably accurate than the other.

ReverendHellh0und said:

Sure it does.


For example, it was the move of the day when after a mass shooting to opine which tea party member committed the act, then when it turns out the guy was left of center to pretend it was never discussed. like the ross incidents they put it out there, and only when caught do they make the change. show me one time that CNN realized they were wrong before others and correcting it.


hell most of the time, CNN leaves the lie in the headline up and puts the retraction at the end, knowing full well most people just read headlines.

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Do you not comprehend that right wing media does it too. Also, I have never heard of the stories you're talking about? Why is that? Fox News recently last week retracted a headline, which an outraged poster even posted on this site. So that fib really made it's way around. All you and Owl do are complain about MSM, but you fail to admit or recognize this problem occurs at Fox News and it's not new. This entire meme is misleading and is misinformation.

ReverendHellh0und said:

I did?

I said he made a racist statement when he said his grandmother's racism was typical of white people. I said he used race when convienent. but did I call him a racist? I don't think so as I don't think he is.


I'm not sure how this relates to the discussion though.

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Yes, and then in many other discussions you came out to support racial profiling, because you think certain races are scary and prone to violence like Obama's grandma.

SheWolf said:

Yes, and then in many other discussions you came out to support racial profiling, because you think certain races are scary and prone to violence like Obama's grandma.

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You are lying. Come on you are better than that. I've never done any such thing.

SheWolf said:

Do you not comprehend that right wing media does it too. Also, I have never heard of the stories you're talking about? Why is that? Fox News recently last week retracted a headline, which an outraged poster even posted on this site. So that fib really made it's way around. All you and Owl do are complain about MSM, but you fail to admit or recognize this problem occurs at Fox News and it's not new. This entire meme is misleading and is misinformation.

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yes, of course they do. but right now, as far as fox news is concerned, they are doing much better than CNN, you would have to admit.

ReverendHellh0und said:

You are lying. Come on you are better than that. I've never done any such thing.

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No. I am not lying. That is actually how I saw your behavior.

SheWolf said:

No. I am not lying. That is actually how I saw your behavior.

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That's on you. I've never made any such claim nor have I ever posted anything remotely racist as you claim. quote me.