Lying in Post-Fact America

[phantom power]

...here’s how CNN covered (Ryan's speech) in the immediate aftermath:

Blitzer: So there he is, the republican vice presidential nominee and his beautiful family there. His mom is up there. This is exactly what this crowd of republicans here certainly republicans all across the country were hoping for. He delivered a powerful speech. Erin, a powerful speech. Although I marked at least seven or eight points I’m sure the fact checkers will have some opportunities to dispute if they want to go forward, I’m sure they will. As far as mitt romney’s campaign is concerned, paul ryan on this night delivered.

Burnett: That’s right. Certainly so. We were jotting down points. There will be issues with some of the facts. But it motivated people. He’s a man who says I care deeply about every single word. I want to do a good job. And he delivered on that. Precise, clear, and passionate.

We live in a time when the media literally thinks it’s a separate job to separate true from false in reporting on national political figures. They think their main job is theater criticism. Read “Paul Ryan Accepts Republican Vice-Presidential Nomination”, the lead story by Jim Rutenberg in the New York Times today, and it’s just a rote regurgitation of what Ryan said, faithfully captured. This is how most campaign speeches are covered.

Sure, there are pieces out there you can read to debunk the speech. But they’re confined to partisan media, or the partisan parts of more traditional media offerings. The Washington Post editorial board surprised a bit by calling the speech “definitely misleading,” but that’s in the opinion section. It’s just their opinion.

http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/08/30/lying-in-post-fact-america/