According to CBS and NBC, here’s what matters: Ron DeSantis “scolding” teens for wearing masks. What doesn’t matter? Schools are being instructed about issues such as the Hunter Biden scandals and the crisis at the Border.
Last week, the Florida governor said to event with high schoolers: “You do not have to wear those masks. I mean, please take them off.” He added, “So if you want to wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous.”
What was the media’s reaction to this? NBC’s Nightly NewsThis story was reported by the NBC News on March 2. NBC’s TodayOn March 3, another story was produced Nightly News That evening, he wrote another story. You can read the entire article here. CBS Evening NewsIt was noticed by s on March 3rd. CBS MorningsThe 4th.
Here’s a flavor of the breathless hyping of a non-story:
On Thursday’s Nightly News, anchor Lest Holt blasted, “Today’s outrage over the Florida Governor’s scolding to a group of students because they wore masks, calling it political theater.”
Reporter Miguel Almaguer hyped, “Tonight, more rain after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis admonished a group of high school students Wednesday.” He ended the report with this ridiculously pompous close: “And while he won’t wear a mask, tonight he is the face of controversy.”
NBC was the main force in making such a minor event an overheated big deal. Late Night host Seth Meyers played video of the moment and snarled, “Do you really need to make a fuss about high school students just trying to keep safe?”
(Meyers spent his first year as the Biden president sounding like an automated DNC talk-show machine.
Although CBS took the story much longer than NBC, they still promoted it. This was the March 2 CBS Evening News, reporter Mola Lenghi warned, “Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis admonished a group of students at the University of Florida for wearing masks.” The network covered it again on the March 3 CBS Mornings.
The NBC evening and morning shows and CBS afternoon programs devoted only three minutes each to a DeSantis-related exchange between teenagers. This doesn’t include the short joke. Late night. Also, ABC, unlike the other two networks, ignored the non-story.) Although three minutes might seem short, consider how many stories these networks BURIED by 2022.
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Like in every other year 2021, networks did not pay attention to the situation at the southern border in January.
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They spiked any news in January of Critical Race Theory and controversies like “Privilege Bingo” being taught in Virginia public schools.
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During the first year of Biden’s presidency, the networks allowed 308 seconds to the various scandals of Hunter Biden.
Clearly, the above controversies, scandals and news stories are not priorities of the networks. Five national news programs get more attention than the governor’s offhand comments to high school students.
Liberty Mutual sponsored Ameritrade and Fidelity’s promotion of a nonstory to national news. You can click the links and let them know how you feel.
This is the transcription for March 3, 2018. NBC Nightly News. To read more, click “expand”.
NBC Nightly News
3/2/2022
Eastern, 7:17:47LESTER HOLT – Outrage at the Florida Governor’s harsh treatment of students who wore masks calling it political theatre. This incident upset parents, and highlighted the intense debate about masks. Miguel Almaguer.
GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS : These masks are not necessary. Please take off those masks.
MIGUEL ALMAUGER: There is more to the fallout from Wednesday’s warning by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a number of high school students.
DESANTIS : It’s really not doing anything and it’s time to end this COVID theatre.
ALMAGUER – Putting the spotlight on yet another bitter division over face masks
DESANTIS – You may wear it if you like, but that’s ridiculous.
ALMAGUER – And what do they mean?
DESANTIS: [sighs]
ALMAGUER – Eric Marshall was among those students.
DAWN MARSHALL: My skin almost shook. It was shocking.
ALMAGUER: His mother, Dawn who’s immunocompromised, was furious by what the Governor said.
MARSHALL : He took my authority. He placed my child in danger. Because my child is coming home, he put me at danger.
ERIC MARSHALL : It was not something I had prepared for. It was a photo-op for me, so I attended the USF press conference.
ALMAGUER : Despite the fact that mask mandates have been repealed in the vast majority of the US, the CDC advises still wearing them indoors if there are high COVID levels. This was true for Tampa, where this press conference was held. Today’s interview was with Rochelle Walensky, Director of the CDC.
ROCHELLE WALENSKY They can choose to wear a mask.
ALMAGUER: Today Governor DeSantis called masks political theatre and doubled down. DeSantis defended his statements and highlighted the event in a fundraising email. He won’t be wearing a mask tonight, but he will defend his comments. Miguel Almaguer, NBC News.
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