NPR lets senators lie to their listeners

[Enrique]

this morning, NPR interviewed first Bob Corker, then Kent Conrad about the budget debate.

First up, Renee Montaigne (sp?) asked Corker about Ryan's Medicare privatization plan. Corker responded that Ryan's plan would result in seniors getting the same kind of health insurance as U.S. senators. Preposterous, of course. But Montaigne didn't say a word.

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/06/135168385/republican-sen-corker-weighs-in-on-budget-debate



Then the male NPR guy asked Conrad about public opinion as it relates to the deficit. Conrad said, yes, public opinion is to blame because people don't want to cut anything, and they don't want to touch the revenue side of the equation. LIE!!! Polls showed huge support for letting the Bush tax cuts expire. And they show huge support for raising taxes on the rich now. Big lie, and NPR didn't say a word.

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/06/135168389/democratic-sen-conrad-on-long-term-budget-deal

[Blue Owl]

1. Good catch

It's not the first time NPR has helped the GOP frame one of their turds.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Brian Lehrer (NPR-NYC) let Marsha Blackburn say that she has phone calls

all the time from her constiuents who want "other options" than the present Medicare system.

I didn't believe it for a minute.

[Scuba]

3. Yep, NPR caved to the right a while ago. n/t

[Armstead]

4. In all fairness, I just heard an interview with Rep. Jan Schiakowski and they...

...let her have her say.

I don't think it is always the job of a news interview to go after the guest, as long as they are equal opportunity about it.

[Angry Dragon]

6. I have to disagree

It is the responsibility of news-people to give us the news, not propaganda.
So when a falsehood is stated then it needs to be questioned.
If that is not done then the news-person is not doing their job.

[Armstead]

8. Depends on the context

Questions that challenge are fine. Lletting people state their views is also fine.....I guess yelling antagonistic interview is okay too....It all depends on the context.

In terms of straight news, The main thing is letting different voices be heard.

The important thing is to get differing viewpoints out. If someonevis full of bullshit, the listener/viewer/ reader can sort it out .

[Sal Minella]

11. That's what I'm thinking.

Anybody who's moderately well-informed has seen the polls in favor of raising taxes on the wealthy, and won't believe for a moment that "the Merkin People" don't want any taxes raised but do want foodstamps cut.

And the crap was palpable in the assertion that there will be many "choices" for health insurance, and older Americans will be able to "choose" a health care plan just like the Congresspersons have.

"Choosing" might be possible but paying for it on a Social Security check might prove problematic.

[Enrique]

17. i remember being surprised when I saw those polls

I had fallen for the bullshit big time.

I think that's the kind of lie I hate the most, the ones that I fell for. Like the one about how no oil spilled as a result of Katrina and Rita. All those GOP assholes saying it, and no one telling me it was a total lie. How am I going to know? (Think Progress is how I finally found out).

[Sal Minella]

20. I feel like Think Progress and Common Dreams and truthout keep me

from being totally swamped by the detritus of American media.

[crikkett]

10. Agreed.

[The Magistrate]

9. The Difference, Sir, is That Rep. Schakowski Did Not Lie, And The Other Two Did

[Armstead]

12. In your opinion. Mr. Magistrate....Here's mine

We Need the form of Jews that is an honest broker on inforamtion and a spectrum of opinion.

The diminishing numbers of sources for that is a big reason our politics and many other things are getting so mucked up.

There is certainly is a place for challenging, confrontational journalism, and can be from the same source as in- depth and investigative journalism. That would include digging below the spin to get to the truth and expose lies.

And advocacy and opinionated news and opinion also has a role. I watch MSNBC' The Nation, etc....And if I want to hear whatvthe other side is saying I can go to Fox, the National Review, etc.....However they each skew the truth and interpret it from a specific viewpoint....As a result it is as if they are different universes......and there is no dialogue or contact between different sides.

That is why it is also important to have a down the middle venue to present the views of different sides by letting people state their case.

[The Magistrate]

13. Both The Quoted Statements By the Senators Are False, Sir

It is not true that Ryan's proposal will give Medicare recipients the same insurance Senators receive, and it is not true that the public opposes increasing taxes on the wealthy. These are not statements of opinion; they are matters of fact. It is beyond question both Senators know the statements they made were false. To knowingly make a false statement is to tell a lie. When a public official tells a lie, that is news, and should be so treated by a reporter.

[Armstead]

14. My reply is that they can bring someone else on to refute it or...

Better still do an in-depth analysis that looks at the details based on research.

My original reply was fairly focused. Let me restate more clearly.

The complaint was that NPR has sold out or is part of a conspiracy because they interviewed the Senators without calling them liars.

My point is that not all interviews have to be confrontational or antagonistic or advocate. It is important that there be a place to allow people to state their positions without it having to be a wrestling match. It is also important for people to hear what they have to say and decide for themselves.

I DID NOT say there is no place for challenges or in-depth investigations. I was simply saying that straight news reporting is not the same, and straight reporting is also necessary -- as long as it reports on all sides equally.

[The Magistrate]

16. Their Job Is To Report News, Sir: Lies By A Senator Are News

It is not a question of refuting: lies are to be exposed and liars shamed.

[emulatorloo]

5. The intimidation worked. They bend over backward so as not to appear "biased"

They are afraid of being called "liberal" so they just keep their mouths shut

[jtown1123]

19. They've been doing this for years to not appear "biased." Sad state of affairs

[FiveGoodMen]

7. This is why I don't care if they get defunded.

NPR functions as a (pretty muted) RW propaganda source that left-leaning people trust.

Fox can't fool us, but NPR might.

[jillan]

15. We should defund them!

kidding!

[jtown1123]

18. The media has been complicit in all these lies. Shameful