Dismissing Tapegate; Bill Moyers Not Liberal? 1. Update on lack of resolution to Apparently To problem. 2. Forget the unethical behavior of Democrats in tapegate. CBS is more concerned that it has "sidetracked substantive ethics charges against the Speaker of the House." 3. Networks acknowledge import of the Paula Jones case and Stuart Taylor's article, so why did it take ten weeks for Taylor to be cited. 4. Gore concedes false statements on Buddhist temple event, but only CNN airs a story. 5. NBC's Andrea Mitchell says that "when the Lincoln bedroom becomes the Motel 6, that resonates with the... continue reading
Paula Ignored; Jennings Rationalizes Theft; Newt as Lenin 1. "Apparently To" problem resolved. 2. A Democratic Congressman and the New York Times conspire to publish a transcript of a phone call, but CBS is more interested in Gingrich's ethical failings. 3. As the Paula Jones case goes to the Supreme Court, Ken Bode claimed that the American Lawyer story on her generated lots of coverage. It didn't. And networks have blacked out Jones. 4. A review of the MRC's study showing a disparity in coverage of Anita Hill vs. Paula Jones - 67 to 15 stories. 5. Peter Jennings suggests... continue reading
Gumbel: Blacks Can't Be Right; Cronkite Wants Censorship Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar: Zero! Bye-bye 1. Bryant Gumbel insists that a black cannot be a conservative. 2. Gumbel is gone, but his successor calls him "fair" and a "terrific example" to follow. 3. Confronted with the MRC's Quote of the Year, the Chicago Tribune's James Warren offers a baffling response. 4. Margaret Carlson charges that Gingrich's actions were "just as bad" as what Jim Wright did. A CBS reporter insists that Wright "never broke the law." 5. In a year-end review the AP says Clinton "acknowledged" welfare reform had flaws and... continue reading
Netanyahu Blamed; Bye-Bye Bryant; Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar: 6 Days to Go Important Note: Some recipients have been getting a column of 40 to 50 "Apparently To..." lines at the top of their MRC CyberAlert. This shouldn't be happening and I think I have resolved the problem. If this happened to you with this message, please let me know. 1. Time disqualified Benjamin Netanyahu from Man of the Year consideration for failing to move left fast enough. 2. An Associated Press story reported that Clinton's effort to balance the budget was blocked by the Republicans. 3. A journalist group gives... continue reading
Scandals Skipped; Bias? Ridiculous; Clift's Year-End Awards Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar: 11 Days to Go 1. In October Tim Russert called a Clinton scandal development "dead serious." On Friday he called another revelation "deadly serious." But, again, it's hardly big news on NBC. 2. ABC's Cokie Roberts insisted nobody can "not be appalled" at how large donors get a night in the Lincoln Bedroom. But World News Tonight never told viewers about it. 3. Newsweek's Jonathan Alter dismissed as "ridiculous" a reporter's contention that Clinton's ethics were underplayed, but MediaWatch showed how wrong Alter remains. 4. Time magazine endorsed calling... continue reading
Eight items today: Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar: 17 Days to Go (Gumbel returns Tuesday from a week plus vacation) 1. Instead of exploring White House use of bedrooms to thank donors , CBS reporter Rita Braver claimed Bush and Reagan did the same. 2. Network evening shows ignored the White House as Motel 6 story , but found time to report on bi-sexual fruit flies. 3. George Stephanopoulos landed at ABC , but he'll do more than offer comments during This Week roundtables, he'll report news stories. 4. ABC promoted the conclusions of a liberal spending advocacy group which claimed... continue reading
Now informing over 1,100 recipients in at least three countries and eight time zones. Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar: 25 Days to Go 1. The Media Research Center Web site highlighted in USA Today. 2. CNN's Brooks Jackson didn't see a cover-up as he bought the new Democratic line of the Buddhist temple fundraising. 3. The Supreme Court reporter for The New York Times said the 10th Amendment challenge to the Brady bill "sounds like a sort of outlandish argument." 4. A former Washington Post reporter insisted that "What every conservative press critic preaches, and almost every reporter denies, is largely... continue reading
Five items today: Today we inaugurate a much-awaited new feature: The Bryant Gumbel Countdown Calendar. With his contract expiring Friday, January 3, 1997 we'll lead each CyberAlert with the number of days until we have Gumbel-free mornings. As of December 5: 29 days to go. 1. If the cost of living increase is adjusted slightly downward, ABC asserted that seniors would "lose" money; CBS reported that seniors could no longer afford to see a movie. 2. A USA Today reporter cited Bob Dornan's defeat as one of his three "signs of hope" that racial/ethnic tensions are improving. 3. Welfare and... continue reading
Braver Backs Hillary; Kessler PR; Hiss Through the Years Seven items in today's holiday weekend edition. I apologize for the length, but I want to get it all out before it gets too old. 1) CBS White House reporter Rita Braver agreed with Hillary Clinton that criticism of her getting involved in fixing welfare reform shows a First Lady just can't escape attack. 2) A Reuters story referred to welfare reform as "draconian." 3) NBC's Robert Hager delivered a glowing review of David Kessler's years in the charge of the FDA, never explaining how many thought he over-reached in his... continue reading
It's been a few days, so seven items today: 1. MSNBC reported that Alger Hiss "was a victim of Cold War hysteria." But Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings issued "clarifications" this week on their reports on the death of Hiss. 2. In five days, developments in the John Huang/DNC foreign fundraising scandal get mentioned about once in the morning and once in the evening on the networks. 3. Bryant Gumbel connects prayer and Jimmy Carter's failure as President. 4. Tom Brokaw praises the work of a liberal mogul to counter "deep" federal budget cuts for the poor and immigrants. 5... continue reading