Category: Media

French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials

Years ago, I called Antifa the Keyser Söze of the left, after the character in “The Usual Suspects.” In the film, the character Virgil explains how Söze stayed in the shadows: he became “a myth, a spook story that criminals tell their kids at night.” The strategy was too simple: “the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”

Democratic leaders have long fostered the myth around Antifa, the largest and most violent group on the political left. For years, they have denied the existence of the group even as members were charged with crimes (including terrorism). Now, the French authorities have found that the nonexistent group is the largest of three “ideologically distinct groups” responsible for the violence in France. It appears that either the entire French security system is delusional or the trick is up for the American left.

Continue reading “French Police Identify Antifa as the “Ideologically Distinct Group” Behind the Riots Despite Democratic Denials” →

Supreme Showdown: Investigative Reporter and Accused Chinese Operative Face Off in Press Freedom Case

Below is my column in The Hill on an important case currently before the Supreme Court on the free press and the ability to protect confidential sources. The underlying facts may seem like something out of The Onion: an accused Chinese operative and PLA Colonel who was viewed as a national security risk is successfully using the Privacy Act to get a respected journalist to reveal her confidential sources. However, it is very serious and, unless the Court reviews the case, investigative journalism in the United States could suffer a debilitating blow with little more than a shrug from the courts. Continue reading “Supreme Showdown: Investigative Reporter and Accused Chinese Operative Face Off in Press Freedom Case” →

Columbia’s Political Review Joins Attack on Students for Expressing Views of Cornell Rape Case

I recently wrote a column on the cancellation of a free press event at Columbia University where student journalists had the temerity to offer their own views on the coverage of the alleged Cornell rape case. Now other “student journalists” are joining the outcry for action after the column’s publication. The Columbia Political Review joined the mob to denounce the authors and the Sundial staff for an essay that “perpetuates a culture of campus violence, rape, and assault.” As depressing as this latest example of viewpoint intolerance is in higher education, there is one redeeming element. The staff editor of the Sundial, Shoshana Aufzien, wrote a magnificent reply to these critics that gives some of us hope that there remain young journalists who understand the essence of free speech and the free press.

Continue reading “Columbia’s Political Review Joins Attack on Students for Expressing Views of Cornell Rape Case” →

Columbia Group Cancels “Press Freedom” Event After Student Column Criticizes the Cornell Case Coverage

Marc Elias Legal Team Threatens Media with a Lawsuit for Questioning the Health of Democrat Roy Cooper

(MSNBC/via YouTube)

Marc Elias has long been at the center of controversial election tactics, including criminal investigations. If lawyers had to take an oath to first do no harm, the court-sanctioned Democratic lawyer would leave Hippocrates gobsmacked.  Well, Elias is back and his legal team is threatening the media with what appears an entirely meritless defamation lawsuit on behalf of former Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. Continue reading “Marc Elias Legal Team Threatens Media with a Lawsuit for Questioning the Health of Democrat Roy Cooper” →

Borked or Just Business? Supreme Court Hears Challenge to the Sharing of Viewing Records on Free Sites

Today the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a major case pitting privacy advocates against media companies. By any measure, Salazar v. Paramount Global is a blockbuster case in the making. At issue is the use of viewing habits by companies offering free subscriptions and material to the public. These companies make money by then using that history for tailored marketing programs. Michael Salazar is arguing that a Blockbuster-era law should prevent such sharing of his viewing history, a ruling that would have a massive impact on media and entertainment companies.

Continue reading “Borked or Just Business? Supreme Court Hears Challenge to the Sharing of Viewing Records on Free Sites” →

Harper’s Magazine to Honor NPR CEO Katherine Maher with First Amendment Award

Harper’s Magazine appears to be competing with The Onion in satire this week. It is awarding its First Amendment prize to NPR CEO Katherine Maher. It is akin to awarding a Second Amendment prize to Gavin Newsom. Maher has long been the very symbol of advocacy journalism and bias. Ironically, she is being given an award after steering NPR into the rocks to keep her job and its ideological bias. Continue reading “Harper’s Magazine to Honor NPR CEO Katherine Maher with First Amendment Award” →

Foul Call: New York Times Calls for Canceling Sophie Cunningham in The Athletic

Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico at White House

Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a Temporary Restraining Order yesterday in CNN, Inc. v. Trump to restore the access of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico to the White House. As I previously explained, it was the only decision that he could make in light of controlling precedent from the D.C. Circuit in Sherrill v. Knight (D.C. Cir. 1977). The White House will have to get either the D.C. Circuit to overturn the long-standing precedent or get the Supreme Court to do so. Neither is likely. Continue reading “Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico at White House” →

Fake News or Viewpoint Discrimination: Can the President Ban Disfavored Media?

The Trump Administration is rushing to prepare for a fight that few knew was coming after President Donald Trump banned Politico, CNN, and MS NOW from the White House for spreading “fake news.” I understand the President had been planning this step for over a year, but he announced it with little notice to his staff. What will follow could be one of the most consequential fights over press rights in decades… and the odds are against the President. Continue reading “Fake News or Viewpoint Discrimination: Can the President Ban Disfavored Media?” →

F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation

Below is my column in the New York Post on the referral of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for possible criminal prosecution by a federal judge. Judge Paul Diamond is only the latest jurist to reach the breaking point with Krasner, who has used a mix of rage and race politics to stay in office.

Here is the column: Continue reading “F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation” →

“I Hope it Gives a Really Good Lesson Going Forward”: Rahil Prakash and the License to Lie

In this political season, there is one question that needs no poll: Rahil Prakash is a liar. The other thing we know is that he will likely get away with spreading fake polling results. Lies can be protected speech under the First Amendment and, while Prakash would not likely want to take a popularity poll, he is unlikely to face legal consequences for his “short-term social experiment.” Continue reading ““I Hope it Gives a Really Good Lesson Going Forward”: Rahil Prakash and the License to Lie” →

The Sound of Silence: Fauci Takes the Fifth and the Heat Over his Diary Disclosures

Below is my column on Fox.com on yesterday’s “testimony” from Dr. Anthony Fauci. Americans deserve answers to the questions raised by his diary and other remarks. The most likely course to gain such answers would be through an immunity grant. The impact of a pardon on invocations is a bit murky but, as I stated yesterday, the odds favor Fauci in a court finding that he can still invoke the privilege. In any challenge, a court would likely find that there remains a risk of self-incrimination. What is clear is that many in Washington would prefer Fauci to remain silent on the questions raised by his diary.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Sound of Silence: Fauci Takes the Fifth and the Heat Over his Diary Disclosures” →

The Perils of Pluralization: NPR Retracts Nina Totenberg Scoop on Alito Retirement

To paraphrase Mark Twain, Justice Samuel Alito’s retirement has been “much exaggerated.” Yesterday, my phone exploded with calls from reporters about the scoop by NPR’s Nina Totenberg that Alito had retired. As someone who has covered the Court for 30 years and was in the midst of covering yesterday’s opinions for Fox News, it was enough to trigger a panic attack. I had been told that Alito had selected his clerks for the next term and was not retiring. Then NPR issued a retraction that Totenberg was wrong and Alito was still showing signs of judicial life. It turns out that it came down to the perils of pluralization for the press.

Continue reading “The Perils of Pluralization: NPR Retracts Nina Totenberg Scoop on Alito Retirement” →