The Bad Frame: Why Are the New Yorker, Salon and Other Liberal Media Doing the Right's Dirty Work?

[babylonsister]

The Bad Frame: Why Are the New Yorker, Salon and Other Liberal Media Doing the Right's Dirty Work?

By Don Hazen, AlterNet. Posted July 14, 2008.

This week's New Yorker cover image of the Obamas is shocking in the racism and gross stereotyping that is built into its supposed satire.


The New Yorker magazine hits the news stands today with a shocking cover -- a caricature of Barack and Michelle Obama depicting the presidential candidate in a turban, fist-bumping his wife who has a machine gun slung over her shoulder, while the American flag burns in the fireplace. The cover is shocking in that it depicts the Obamas in bizarre caricatured images and associations which reflect the very stereotypes with which the conservatives, particularly Fox News, have been trying to frame both the Obamas. Thus, instead of satire, the cover becomes a political poster for conservatives to reinforce their messages. Senator Obama was shown the cover image by a reporter covering the campaign on Sunday, and while seemingly taken aback, he declined to comment.

But the Obama campaign quickly put out a release condemning the magazine cover. Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama, said in a statement: "The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Sen. Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."

Unfortunately the impact of this image will extend far beyond the reading audience of the New Yorker; cable news and the right-wing media noise machine will amplify the derogatory image to millions more. And the New Yorker of course will reap enormous publicity, clearly translating to increased sales and notoriety for the brand, and for corporate owner Conde Nast -- one of the largest and most powerful media companies in America.

But the publicity could very well backfire. Editor David Remnick and artist Barry Blitt's attempt at satire seems so arrogant and indulgent in its insensitive and out of touch with political and media dynamics of tabloid TV and blogs, that it just might make a lot of people angry, including some subscribers. The cover turns the magazine into a potential Molotov cocktail, to be gleefully tossed by Fox News and the conservative blogs, into the already combustible tinderbox of race and muslim stereotypes just below the surface of America's public discourse.

more...

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/91355/?page=entire

[curious one]

1. Maybe they were not liberal at all!

[Demeter]

2. Good Question!

Perhaps because of the fear that Obama will win in November and will change the course of the nation?

After all, what will the snide do when they don't have Boy George to kick around?

They'll have to (shudder) start reporting factually.

[ixion]

3. great analysis

it goes right to the heart of problem, IMO.

[Karenina]

4. $hort an$wer: $,$$$,$$$

Wonder what Vogue's final tally was with the Gisele/LaBaron cover...

[BeyondGeography]

5. Surprised that Remnick green-lighted that

He's usually very level-headed. Chalk it up to a midsummer's brain fart, I guess. But, if it happens again, no more subscription for me. The only time I have to read it is on airplanes anyway, and my travel budget has been cut in half.

[bemildred]

6. Because that is who they really are. nt

[peacetalksforall]

7. Not all ideas are good ones. I join others in condemning this decision.

The message sent will do much harm because way too many people are going to miss the stated intent. Very bad decision because it requires an exaplanation that is not going to get passed down to those who need to hear it.

The New Yorker just got placed on a watch list for many.

[madrchsod]

8. i do find it disgusting but.....

that is what freedom of the press is all about.

i hope the new yorker reaps the whirlwind

[AlinPA]

9. McCain is laughing up his sleeve. This is a huge gift to his campaign. This will be the

poster dispalyed all over the U.S. by the right wing.

[Doctor_J]

10. Because the elite like TNY, Salon, The New Republican, etc. are part

of the GOP base - the "have mores"

[AdHocSolver]

11. More and more, I am thinking the liberal elite insiders are trying to sink the "upstart" Obama.

Obama is showing the Democrats how the party leadership should have played the game these last eight years to win elections and they are resentful.

This is the same group who attacked Howard Dean for going to the people for support, and who dislike Dean for impementing the fifty state strategy that won us some added Congressional seats in 2006.

Democrats have not only to overcome a Republican power grab, but we have to deal with the power hungry back-stabbers in our own party.