Our weekly recognition of less-than-meritorious excellence in journalism is worthy of Pulitzer Prize consideration.
As an extension of the media-mocking venture at Townhall, Riffed From The Headlines, we once again recognize the exalted performances in our journalism industry and compile worthy submissions to the Pulitzer Prize board in numerous categories. We must recognize journalistic mistakes-excellence to be able to correctly identify them.
Distinguished Feature Writing
- Mary Kekatos — ABC News
It is time for some groundbreaking reporting on war zones. This was apparently the type of reporting that ABC thought would open eyes and bring about a change in awareness.
Experts suggest that kids living in war zones face an increased chance of developing anxiety or depression. Study after study has found that those who are part of war-zone families or children fleeing conflict areas have a greater chance of experiencing mental problems.
According to experts, children who live in war zones face a greater risk of depression and anxiety. https://t.co/DVpltbBAqa
— ABC News (@ABC) March 5, 2022
Distinguished Investigative Reporting
A fascination with media fact-check professionals is the variety of stories they address. It is not necessary to spend time on detail from Biden speeches or Administration claims when there are plenty of memes to debunk, jokes that can be corrected, and satires to fight.
With all the propaganda, bogus intelligence and intel that gets spool in the fog of warfare, it is not surprising that Reuters would spend some time alerting people that eBay’s claims about confiscated Russian tanks being for sale are inaccurate. This is a relief, because the cost savings for the duped would be incredible — they would really screw you over on the shipping.
People are claiming that they have sold Russian tanks left in Ukraine by Russian tank owners and posted them to eBay. This is false. Any such sale would go against company policy, eBay said https://t.co/idwNtAq99p pic.twitter.com/hV9SXKLpgU
— Reuters Fact Check (@ReutersFacts) March 4, 2022
International Excellence in Reporting
- Valerie Silva — Eater-Montreal
Economic sanctions, credit card companies withdrawing Russian account access, and airline suspensions were among the most impactful responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The least significant reactions include the closure of Air BnB’s operations in Ukraine, as well as Vlad Putin losing his honorary blackbelts in different martial arts.
Perhaps the worst response was that of a Drummondville restaurant in Canada who decided to remove Poutine from its menus because it is familiar with the name. While they won’t deny making the Canadian-inspired dish, they do sever the Canadian name from their menu. They might change the name to “Frites du Liberte’ ”
Quebec bars reopen today, a Drummondville restaurant revises its branding because Putin’s last name is spelled “poutine” in French, and more local restaurant newshttps://t.co/QWK4rtQUM2
— Eater Montreal (@EaterMontreal) February 28, 2022
Outstanding Local Reporting
- WTAE Action News 4 – Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh ABC affiliate cut off to one anchor during local news. He began to describe how local police made an arrest. This story was about an older man in his 70s accused of touching inappropriately with a preteen girl. Above the shoulder of the newsreader, they posted a chyron of a man in his 70s who has a history of such behavior – but it was rather inadvertent.
While it is true that the statement was accurate in some instances, it didn’t concern President Biden.
This was one of our most iconic live TV moments pic.twitter.com/il4Nx9O6LP
— Jewish Patriot 🚛 (@MAGAJew2) March 1, 2022
The Distinguished Explanatory Reporting
Axios is here to deliver the harrowing news on a new scourge across our continent – giant spiders that can parachute from above will be spreading unchecked! The announcement is that an invasion of millions of large Joro spiders will descend upon us – literally. They will be spreading across the East Coast this spring, as promised.
Although this may sound like something that would be impossible, it is not. It has been present in Georgia for over a decade. Experts say there are no ways to prevent their spread. And they’re completely innocuous.
An invasive species of spider the size of a child’s hand is expected to “colonize” the entire East Coast this spring by parachuting down from the sky, researchers announced. https://t.co/Dnwer6RC8j
— Axios (@axios) March 9, 2022
International Excellence in Reporting
- Patrick Kelleher — Pink News
Great Britain announces that a group made up of hikers won a major victory for equality. It has been announced that they have fought mightily and now LGBTQ people will have equal access to…the outside…I think? While I wasn’t aware of trails, parks and wilderness as being exclusively for heterosexuals, that is probably what it meant to me.
The middle class is still in a great deal of trouble when it comes to nature. It’s a relief, however, that those who are wealthy now have full access to the outdoors.
Meet the queer hikers proving the great outdoors isn’t just for cis, straight, middle class folk https://t.co/gPYw3LIfZw
— PinkNews (@PinkNews) March 8, 2022
Distinguished Cultural Commentary
- Emily Yahr — Washington Post
Imagine singing about your check for restaurant meals?!
Most people do not know Walker Hayes by name, but certainly more people know him by his secondary moniker – “The Applebees Song Guy.” Hayes’ hit song “Enjoy What You Like” has been ubiquitous over the past year, either heard on the country charts–where it topped all others–or in the incessant commercials from Applebees, the eatery featured prominently in the song. This strange amount of attention is for lyrics that essentially only sing the items on the menu while being seated at a counter in the fast-casual diner.
After years of ups and downs in Nashville, the singer-songwriter is hoping to make the most of 2021′s runaway hit.https://t.co/XWqpLQsmA4
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 8, 2022
About Post Author
