Stop right-wing media spin on Katrina investigation

Dear MoveOn Member,

The nation's most influential newspapers are playing into the hands of the Republicans in Congress. Instead of reporting both sides of the debate over who should investigate Hurricane Katrina, the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today only reported that Democrats are boycotting the House Republican investigation—without explaining why. This is a critical debate: we need to demand balanced coverage of today's hearing.

House Republicans have formed a partisan committee to investigate Katrina, beginning today. Major newspapers are failing to point out the reason why Democratic leaders are boycotting today's investigation: because it is rigged in favor of Republicans. Republicans gave themselves more committee votes so they can out-vote Democrats, and Democrats have no control over subpoena power. Instead of reporting the full story, newspaper coverage implies Democrats are obstructing the process.

The hearings start today, and we need to ask all the major papers and wire services to be sure tomorrow's coverage explains why Democratic leaders are boycotting the House investigation: because the investigation is totally lop-sided, leaving Democrats outnumbered and with no subpoena power. Please contact Gannett right away.

Gannett
Faith Bremner: fbremner@gns.gannett.com

Outrageous mistakes in the media happen every day, shutting out progressive views. That's why we're launching Media Action, a new long-term campaign to challenge biased and inaccurate news coverage. Reporters and editors need to hear from us whenever they get the facts wrong or allow the right-wing to spin the debate. Expect to hear from Media Action often as we join together to make sure progressive views get a fair hearing in the media.

Thanks for all you do,

–Noah T. Winer and Adam Green
MoveOn Media Action
Tuesday, September 27th, 2005

P.S. Our friends at Media Matters first spotted this mistake. You can read all about it at:

New York Times:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509230002

Washington Post and USA Today:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509220008

Thanks for posting. Have you posted it in the DU Activist HQ, too?

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They must be eliminated at all cost - fascism is the result of the world the way they want to see it!!

:D

I wonder if anybody with that name actually exists?

I like the Media Action idea.