Media Matters for America

This week is all about what media are not telling you. They're not telling you what Wisconsin journalists are saying about Paul Ryan, the connection between the heat wave and climate change, that the Romney campaign hasn't run their budget numbers, and more.John Whitehouse
Twitter: @existentialfish
What Wisconsin Journalists Want You To Know About Paul Ryan
In the early stages of a VP announcement, news outlets often depend on the campaigns themselves, prior national coverage of the candidate, and even Wikipedia for insight. Butlocal reporters know information the national media can miss. That's why Media Matters' investigative reporter Joe Strupp talked to journalists in Wisconsin. Here is what those who know Paul Ryan best want you to know: http://mm4a.org/RDYa3B
"WE HAVEN'T RUN THE NUMBERS"
During his first solo interview this week, Ryan made a startling admission to Fox's Brit Hume: that Ryan and the Romney campaign "haven't run the numbers" yet as to when their plan would balance the budget. Even more surprising is how little media coverage that admission received. Simon Maloy lists four reasons this statement should ring alarm bells for media covering the campaign. Read those reasons and find out the few who have correctly noted the importance of this statement.http://mm4a.org/Ow1BdF
RUSH LIMBAUGH IS STILL BAD FOR BUSINESS
Cumulus Media CEO Lew Dickey told investors that Rush Limbaugh was still a "drag" on the radio industry, causing millions in losses, months after many said that Limbaugh's advertiser problems would blow over. Angelo Carusone describes why Limbaugh's problems are far from over. Get the details and see who are the latest advertisers to drop Rush Limbaugh here: http://mm4a.org/OQ0aSY
STUDY PROVES BILL NYE RIGHT ON CLIMATE COVERAGE
During a recent appearance on CNN, Bill Nye expressed 'disappointment' in the mainstream media for ignoring climate change and the environment. A new Media Matters study proved Nye's criticism correct. While covering that July 2012 was the hottest month ever on record in the United States, print and TV media rarely even mentioned climate change. Jill Fitzsimmons puts this study in context of CNN's continuing problems contextualizing climate change for its viewers. Get the details on the study for CNN and other news outlets: http://mm4a.org/N0u1g7
NPR GIVES CREDIBILITY TO EXTREME ANTI-IMMIGRANT VOICE
From birthers to truthers, people with extreme and discredited views are part of the American political process. But venerable media outlets ought not validate discredited sources and extremist views. NPR missed the mark this week. When reporting on the implementation of the new immigration policy, NPR turned to extreme anti-immigrant activist William Gheen. Just days earlier, Gheen argued that immigrants carried diseases and were likely to brings drugs to America's streets. Solange Uwimana breaks down NPR's failure. Find out what NPR should have disclosed about Gheen if they felt the need to interview him: http://mm4a.org/RX8MfQ
FEATURED VIDEODuring an appearance on CNN this week, Romney surrogate John Sununu pushed blatant falsehoods about President Obama and Medicare. Instead of leaving it there, CNN's Soledad O'Brien did what more in the media should do when faced with falsehoods and pushed back with the truth. Watch here:http://mm4a.org/Nxr6aN
WHAT FACE THE NATION DOESN'T KNOW...
Taking a talking point from right-wing figures, Face The Nation guest host Nancy Cordes wrongly suggested that President Obama has no deficit reduction plan. Get the full scope of Cordes failure, and what she should have known with rudimentary preparation:http://mm4a.org/OjtSUH
NO EVIDENCE? NO PROBLEM
Daily Caller "reporter" Matthew Boyleadmitted in a recent interviewthat there was "not really any evidence" to substantiate his latest attacks on Attorney General Eric Holder. Boyle has a long history of spurious and false claims about Holder, but admitting that "politics of coincidence" drives what he writes is a new low even for the already discredited Daily Caller. http://mm4a.org/SjvScj