Character Assasination; Sarah Palin and Barack Obama
The Culture and Media Institute of America found that all big 3 US networks distorted their reports on Sarah Palin since she was introduced as Sen John McCain’s running mate.
And it warns “the public cannot trust what they’re hearing from ABC, NBC and CBS about the GOP vice-presidential nominee. The networks have been so intent on assassinating Palin’s character that they have turned for added ammunition to sources they normally ignore – conservative columnists and comedians.”
Here are it’s major findings:
- Major network news shows ran 69 stories about Sarah Palin between September 29 and October 12. 37 stories were negative, just 2 were positive, and 30 were neutral. Not a single evening news show ran a positive story about Palin.
- Overall, 21 network stories portrayed Palin as unintelligent and unqualified. 8 of these stories played a total of 11 clips of Saturday Night Live ridiculing Palin. 14 segments featured the most embarrassing clips from Palin’s interview with Katie Couric.
- 9 stories emphasized attacks on Palin by conservative columnists.
- 14 stories demonized Palin as little more than John McCain’s attack dog.
- ABC was hardest on Palin, with 9 negative stories (60%), 6 neutral (40%) and no positive stories. NBC ran 15 negative stories (54%), 13 neutral (46%) and no positive stories. CBS ran 14 negative stories (54%), 10 neutral (38%) and 2 positive (8%).
Sadly I have met and talked to many people about Sarah Palin and what they know about her is what they saw on Saturday Night Live. And even worse, many beleive it to be the truth. It is indeed laughable.
It may not be fair but it surely is entertaining.
If I was Sarah’s handlers I would have just put her out there to admit she knows nothing about Washington, nothing about foreign policy and nothing about the role of the vice-president, and then promise that she is a quick study and can easily learn her way around with the proper guidance of John McCain or his people. This move would have endeared her more to the Americans instead of the ridiculous attempts by the Repulican Party to sell her off as someone with enough executive experience to be second in command.
Not so long ago, Emails questioning Barack Obama’s patriotism and religious beliefs circulated threatening to damage his formidable campaign.
In contrast, Sen. Obama was smart enough to address those questions head-on during the primary season and put them to rest.
As hard as McCain tries to bring back Sen Obama’s questionable assosiations with radicals and unrepentant terrorists — it is not working. Most Obama supporters have either already voted early or have made up their minds, and the many polls show this.
But with many polls also tightening, the next few days leading up to election day will surely be very tense and exciting.
Watch our special coverage America Decides Nov 5th from 9AM Sin/HKG/MNL on Channel News Asia.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi Tim,
I am a fan of you.I watch all your programmes and news…I just wanted to know more about you like where you are born,are you single and about your job.Pls let me know more about you.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
It would be scary should Palin becomes the Vice-President of US of A.
It’s just a heartbeat away from the presidency. Of course I got this idea from watching too much network news. Funny thing is I believe them. Republicans are warmongers. They are behind the Military Industrial Complex. Bush didn’t go to war because of terrorists. It’s because of MONEY.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
tim, the statistics that you show do not prove what you argue for. it merely states that networks have shown negative news about palin. that in itself is not character assassination. it is only assassination if facts have been distorted or lies have been made.
the “institute” that you have quoted saying that the 3 big networks distorted the truth in this case is a conservative right wing organisation which would understandably have a significant conflict of interest. Perhaps, their report should not be taken at face value.
palin was portrayed poorly by the media because she performed poorly. simple as that. if she had not made the blatant mistakes that she had, there would have been little to slime her with. apologies for being blunt but i believe this was a poorly researched post.