On Friday night, NPR’s All Things ConsideredFinally, they considered what they wouldn’t normally consider: their leftist bias. The topic was the shocking idea that Republican candidates are “shunning mainstream press.” As if National Progressive Radio is in the “mainstream” of political life. Anchor Ailsa Chang began:
CHANG:Conservatives perceive the main stream press to be biased against them for decades. [Whaaat?] Donald Trump dubbed reporters the enemy of the people, and this year a lot of Republicans running for office are simply shunning mainstream press on the campaign trail. NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben has more.
Two Republican governor candidates refused to speak to Danielle Kurtzleben during a recent visit to Wisconsin. Why would two Republican candidates for governor refuse to talk with Danielle Kurtzleben, gosh! I would start by showing them this item: A year ago on the NPR Politics Podcast, she said she was “pumped” to promote an “excellent” book about how black rioting against police brutality should be called a “rebellion.” But these people call themselves the “mainstream press.” Refusing to talk to them is a “rebellion,” too.
Because of my criticisms against NPR’s leftist bias since 1980s, I have not been interviewed on an NPR newscast. I would have jumped at the chance. Even though I am a Wisconsin native, this would have been a great opportunity. But, they have “shunned me,” possibly because I talk about taking NPRs tax dollars away. Scott Jennings was the CNN analyst that dares say Republican-sounding things. It could be detrimental to your campaign to submit to NPR, he said.
JENNINGS. There’s a possibility you could end up saying something which ends up in $10,000,000 worth of ads on the other side. It’s not like the benefits of the interview outweighs the risks. You just won’t do that.
KURTZLEBEN
Her admission was that Democrats could sometimes ignore scrutiny by the media. What about charges of bias in media? They’re just a tactic.
We can’t settle the question of liberal bias in just a few minutes. Coming from an established media outlet, the claim that we are objective would be seen by some as being biased. But regardless, claims of liberal bias are themselves a political tactic — case in point, Donald Trump. [Then soundbites from Trump rallies.]
Kurtzleben had indeed been working on a story about Wisconsin Republicans and Abortion. Also, she spoke with Washington PostReporter Dave Weigel mischaracterized the press shun: “Recently the Florida GOP banned many mainstream outlets from its Sunshine Summit, but permitted in conservative outlets.” Definition of “barred” The event was attended by some conservative outlets. Weigel and other liberal outlets were outside, but they were present in the cafe.
So it came to an end:
KURTZLEBEN – This type of question is crucial for journalists to think about, according to Khadijah Costley White (Rutgers University professor of Journalism and Media Studies).
KHADIJAH COOSTLEY WITE: Do voices matter, even if they are using the opportunity to spread misinformation and disinformation? Does that make democracy more valuable?
KURTZLEBEN Jennings is one of many who are worried about the implications for accountability.
JENNINGS – You’re probably aware that I am a Republican communications man and interact with traditional media. CNN is my home. With all honesty, I’m saying this. It’s essential that we have reliable media. It’s essential to democracy.
KURTZLEBEN – Candidates are not incentivized by democracy to speak to the media. Because it is in their best interests, they talk. This begs the question: Where does this lead? Here’s Weigel again.
WEIGEL: Look. WEIGEL: Look. How dare they? This is what I want to know. It’s possible to go back in time when Democrats only had one newspaper. Republicans, however, have another.We might not agree with that but it is a precedent.
KURTZLEBEN Simply because I didn’t have enough people who could talk to me, it was impossible. It means that there are not enough outlets. Inequality in coverage between the parties, and an electorate who must work harder to become fully informed. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
NPR regularly provides unproven coverage on both the parties. Kurtzleben’s July article on Wisconsin Democrats and Abortion. It isn’t a hint at:
A Republican view
— Any criticisms of Democrats’ extreme/potentially harmful abortion advocacy
— or any mention of leftists throwing Molotov cocktails inside a Madison pro-life group’s headquarters in May. But hey, maybe she’s “pumped” because that’s a “rebellion.”
NPR’s funding comes in part from you the American taxpayer. Feel free to contact NPR Public Editor Kelly McBride to tell her your view of this NPR story.
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