False equivalence

Published April 28, 2015

by Gary Pearce, Talking About Politics, April 28, 2015.

John Drescher of the N&O called foul on Governor McCrory’s public-records stonewalling. But will the media referees let McCrory manufacture a counterpunch against Roy Cooper?

It’s called “false equivalence.” It’s a favorite media-manipulation trick.

Let’s say your candidate has a big, fat negative. Like you haven’t fulfilled a public-records request dating back to last July. Instead of coming clean, you try to tar your opponent with the same brush. So, about a month ago, the Republican Party asked Cooper’s office for 14 years of public records. Nothing specific, mind you, just everything. Now, a month later, the GOP pot is calling the Cooper kettle black because he hasn’t turned over 14 years of everything.

Drescher appropriately called out McCrory and the Republicans: “If 14 years of records should be supplied in 36 days, Gov. Pat McCrory ought to be able to meet our much smaller requests in a few days.”

But what will happen as this story, and the campaign, march on?

Will the media equate McCrory’s lack of response with Cooper’s? That is, will they use the typical “objective” journalism shorthand: “While McCrory’s office has not responded to media requests, McCrory said Cooper has failed to respond to the state Republican Party’s request.”? And leave it there? Or will they explain the difference?

Stay tuned.

http://talkingaboutpolitics.com

April 28, 2015 at 9:33 am
Norm Kelly says:

Silly question. The media is an ally of libs. Therefore, the vast majority of media will not just explain the difference. The vast majority of media types, including die-hard libs (redundancy alert!), won't stop at explaining the difference, they will go overboard explaining how McCrory OBVIOUSLY has something to hide about his relationship with Duke Energy. Many media-type libs will then proceed to do in-depth investigation of everything related to McCrory, any & all involvement with Duke, and will draw conclusions about his relationship NOT based on the facts & figures. Cuz we all know facts & figures are meaningless to libs who rely solely on 'feelings'. And libs always 'feel' that Republicans are telling lies any time they open their mouth. Except it's usually the other way around. Except media types, being good demon allies, won't point this out.

Stay tuned is right. For the roasting of McCrory and the uplifting of Cooper. Media types and lefties in general are already planning celebration parties for the winning Cooper, the defeat of McCrory, and a major celebration for the start of the end of the reign of nasty, heartless, racist Republicans.