Big Update on the Dubious "Talking Points"

Good stuff.

I'm particularly interested in this:

Update 3: I've just spoken with news sources who argue ABC News only reported the memo was circulated on the Senate floor, and that ABC News never suggested it was of Senate Republican origins. However the headline for the memo posted online reads, "GOP Talking Points on Terri Schiavo." If they weren't authored by Republicans, why call them GOP Talking Points? Even more was suggested when the story was reported on TV. I found the transcript from Good Morning America on March 19, 2005:

KATE SNOW: (Off Camera) ABC News has obtained some talking points that Senate Republicans were circulating, outlining why Republicans should be involved in this case.

graphics: republican talking points

KATE SNOW: (Voice Over) Here's a couple of the points. The pro-life base will be excited, and it's a tough issue for Democrats, which, which raises the question, is this just pure politics, Mr. DeLay?

TOM DELAY: Kate, I don't know where those talking points come from, and I think they're disgusting.

KATE SNOW: (Off Camera) Senate Republicans.

Not only was Kate Snow asking a Republican representative about an alleged Senate memo, she outright said it originated from "Senate Republicans." This does not appear to be true. The actual source appears to be Democratic aides, but ABC News defends its stories as only reporting Republican "use" on the Senate floor. You be the judge.

Show of hands: How many of you believe that if the parties were reversed here that Kate Snow would state, flat-out, that this absurd forgery came from "Senate Democrats," when there is such doubt about that assertion?

I'm developing a new theory about reporters:

They're not so much biased as they are stupid.

posted by Ace at 04:16 PM

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