where fake news is born - CNN headline "Are Dems being paid to show up at town halls?"

[NRaleighLiberal]

Headline should be

"GOP dishonestly accuses of Dems being paid to show up at town halls. It is a lie".

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/14/politics/democrats-town-halls-chaffetz/index.html

This is the type of shitty journalism that needs to end!

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. WRITE THEM NOW

and tweet about this!

[denverbill]

2. Better question: Is CNN being paid to regurgitate right wing fake news?

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. here's what I just tweeted

Link to tweet

[Atman]

4. It's not by definition "fake news."

It is sensational headline, but it merely asks a question. I didn't read the story -- what was the answer?

Your alternative headline would never fly in any real news source. It is opinionated and not objective. A more proper headline would be:

GOP Claims Dems Paid for Town Hall Protests

Then, if it is a real news story, it will have interviews, lay out the facts as they are known, and reach at least a preliminary conclusion. Your headline is even more biases than the CNN headline you dislike. Sorry, I'm just being honest.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028641474

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. I know - agree with what you said - but it is frustrating and is how false memes spread.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. You really should have read the story...

the headline was indeed to get your attention-- and then they hit you with the answer.

[Atman]

11. I did go back and read it. Good article.

It was actually rather complimentary towards the Democrats and protesters. CNN did what all web sites are prone to do these days; phrase a headline in the form of a sensational question in an effort to make you want to click. Anyone who clicks on this one will find the answer, and it is not bad for Democrats. In fact, it was really informative, and provided all sorts of names of organizations people might be interested in joining to help organize even more protests against GOP representatives.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. They do say that in the article if you bothered to read it...

I am not sure why asking a question in a headline is suddenly a bad thing.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. because it plants the seed. It is patently false. The whole thing is just bullshit.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Anything can plant a seed, but the ground has to be fertile...

Headline writing is an ancient art and a simple thing like asking a question means the answer is likely to surprise you, at least a little.

Since they don't give an answer in the headline you are tempted to read the story, and if you are one of us pinko Commie lefty assholes, you will be presently surprised at what you learned. Things you might not have learned if the headline simply said "RW Liars Claim Protesters Paid" and you passed on the article in disgust.

The same with wingnuts who will be looking to see confirmation of their own biases, but will be gobsmacked with facts not to their liking.

[Occulus]

16. It's because a LOT of people do not read more than the headline.

It's a propaganda technique meant to insinuate the (ridiculous) question into readers' minds, thereby granting it legitimacy.

It works especially well when the question is asked- and asked, and asked again- by sources with a reputation for honesty.

It's an old technique. I'm frankly astonished that most here aren't seeing it for what it is.

[NRaleighLiberal]

17. I am equally astonished. This is what gives rise to Saddam's WMD type stuff

[Fred Sanders]

9. Fox News Cavuto headline.....the question mark makes it OK to speculate without evidence, ya see.

[Lanius]

10. Typical corporate media tactics to influence public opinion and create drama

A headline with the words Democrats, paid, and town halls are enough to get people talking about the possibility, which is enough to sow doubt among the low-information and non-political people.

[C_U_L8R]

13. Real journalists

Don't ask stupid rhetorical questions in their headlines.

[TrekLuver]

14. And right next to it on the CNN homepage it says "Obama's FAKE death panels are back".

ENOUGH with the fake news bullshit. You are spreading what Trashbag and Putin want...

[tavernier]

15. "Is Trump Insane?"

There's your rhetorical question headline.

[MagickMuffin]

18. I was paid $100,000,000,000 to attend

Now I can move into a super McMansion!!!

[wildeyed]

19. Clickbait.

They are so desperate for page views that they sacrifice journalistic integrity. And then those of us who value journalistic integrity start tuning out. This is the downward spiral that they have chosen to participate in. If they would focus on either consistently producing excellent journalism OR being a tabloid news source, things would go better for them. It's the in-between that is frustrating to everyone.

[SoCalDem]

20. It pissed me off when the tea party folks were reported on as grassroots..

I was waiting for some news outlet to wonder WHO PAID FOR THAT MEGA BUS..

We even found online ads telling their folks where there were "training sessions" being held. They provided lectures/lunches/bus trips..

not very grassrooty