Category: Media

Media, Politics

“Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Maher Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture

National Public Radio has had a rough go in the last few years with declining audiences, financial shortfalls, and the recent exposure of its political bias by longtime editor Uri Berliner. However, if you tuned into the comments of NPR CEO Katherine Maher this week at the Texas Tribune Festival,  you would think that the only challenging decision for NPR is picking the design of the next pledge drive tote bag. Continue reading ““Perceived Criticism”: CEO Katherine Maher Defends NPR’s Coverage and Culture” →

Columns, Media, Politics

The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it

Below is my column in the Hill on the effort of Democratic officials to keep Robert Kennedy on the ballot in swing states after seeking to block actual candidates from the same ballots. It is all in the name of democracy.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The Ghost of Richard Daley: Democrats Aren’t Creating Disorder; They’re Preserving it” →

Free Speech, Media, Politics

“That Has to Stop”: Harris Denounces Unfettered Free Speech in 2019 CNN Interview

I previously wrote how a Harris-Walz Administration would be a nightmare for free speech. Both candidates have shown pronounced anti-free speech values. Now, X owner Elon Musk and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have posted a Harris interview to show the depths of the hostility of Harris to unfettered free speech. I have long argued that Trump and the third-party candidates should make free speech a central issue in this campaign. That has not happened. Kennedy was the only candidate who was substantially and regularly talking about free speech in this election. Yet, Musk and Kennedy are still trying to raise the chilling potential of a Harris-Walz Administration. Continue reading ““That Has to Stop”: Harris Denounces Unfettered Free Speech in 2019 CNN Interview” →

Free Speech, International, Media

Brazilians to be Fined $9000 a Day for Receiving News from X
Columns, Media, Politics

Why Musk’s Lawsuit Against Media Matters . . . Matters

Below is my column in the Hill on the victory of Elon Musk last week against the liberal media outlet, Media Matters. This follows similar recent victories by others against CNN and the New York Times to clear paths to trials. For those who have embraced advocacy journalism as the new model for media, a bill is coming due in the form of defamation and disparagement lawsuits.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Why Musk’s Lawsuit Against Media Matters . . . Matters” →

Media, Politics, Torts

Palin Wins Appeal on Defamation Case Against New York Times

Over the years, I have written repeatedly (here, here, here, here, and here) about the interesting defamation case brought by Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, against the New York Times. The judge in the case U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff was previously reversed and proceeded to issue novel and deeply flawed rulings before dismissing her case.  He has now been reversed again and Palin will have a new opportunity to sue the newspaper. Given Judge Rakoff’s dismal record in this case, it is concerning that he will be allowed to preside in any new trial.

Continue reading “Palin Wins Appeal on Defamation Case Against New York Times” →

Columns, Courts, Media, Politics, Supreme Court

Poetic License: How Press and Pundits are Reframing Personalities to Fit Our Politics

Below is my column in The Hill on the sudden embrace of bipartisanship in Washington … by some of the most partisan figures in our political system. Press and pundits are suddenly reframing Vice President Kamala Harris as a moderate while heralding Justice Amy Coney Barrett for her independence. It is enough to give you vertigo from the media and political spin. Update: GovTrack has responded to the column, which is discussed at the end of the column.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Poetic License: How Press and Pundits are Reframing Personalities to Fit Our Politics” →

Media

The Curious Story of Taylor Lorenz … and Belated Concerns of the Washington Post

There is a rather curious controversy brewing over one of the Washington Post’s most controversial writers, Taylor Lorenz. The “tech columnist” for the Post has drawn continual criticism over public meltdowns and alleged doxxing. However, the Post seemed to value her notoriety…until she posted a picture of President Joe Biden with “war criminal” on it. Lorenz appeared to suggest that others added those words before various mainstream media outlets contradicted her account. She is now denying that she denied it was her words and the Post is investigating. What is most curious, however, is what it takes for the Post to investigate alleged false claims by its columnists. Continue reading “The Curious Story of Taylor Lorenz … and Belated Concerns of the Washington Post” →

Media, Torts

CNN Loses Another Motion in Defamation Case as Court Orders Tapper to Appear

We previously discussed the defamation lawsuit against CNN and the curious effort to use Taliban law to dismiss the lawsuit by Navy veteran Zachary Young. The litigation has not been going well for the network and it just lost another key motion to block an effort to depose Jake Tapper. Worse yet, the court appears to have questioned the veracity of the host in a sworn deposition on his lack of knowledge over the financial subject matter of the deposition. Continue reading “CNN Loses Another Motion in Defamation Case as Court Orders Tapper to Appear” →

Free Speech, Media

“An America Issue”: Washington Post Reporter Calls on White House to Censor Trump for America

In my new book on free speech, I discuss at length how the mainstream media has joined an alliance with the government and corporations in favor of censorship and blacklisting. The Washington Post, however, appears to be taking its anti-free speech campaign to a new level with open calls for a crackdown. The newspaper offered no objection or even qualification after its reporter, Cleve Wootson Jr., appeared to call upon the White House to censor the interview of Elon Musk with former President Donald Trump. Under the guise of a question, Wootson told White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre that censoring its leading political opponent is “an America issue.” Continue reading ““An America Issue”: Washington Post Reporter Calls on White House to Censor Trump for America” →

Media, Torts

“Illegal Under Taliban Law”: CNN Seeks Summary Judgment Under a Curious Claim in Defamation Case

CNN has been fighting a defamation case brought after a segment by Jake Tapper that accused Zachary Young and his company Nemex Enterprises Inc. of preying on people seeking to flee Afghanistan, even suggesting that he was a type of human trafficker. CNN’s new motion for summary judgment raised eyebrows in citing Sharia law to say that what Young was doing in rescuing people was unlawful under Islamic restrictions. Continue reading ““Illegal Under Taliban Law”: CNN Seeks Summary Judgment Under a Curious Claim in Defamation Case” →

Free Speech, Media, Politics

A Shield or Sword? A Response to NewsGuard

I hope that our readers have read the response of NewsGuard’s Gordon Crovitz to my recent criticism of the company’s rating system for news sites. He makes important points, including the fact that the company has given high ratings to conservative sites and low ratings to some liberal sites. I have mutual friends of both Gordon and his co-founder Steve Brill, who have always sworn by their integrity and motivations. I do not question Gordon’s account of past ratings for sites.

However, I also welcome the opportunity to further this discussion over media rating systems and to explain why I remain unconvinced by his defense. It is a long overdue debate on the use and potential misuse of such systems.

Continue reading “A Shield or Sword? A Response to NewsGuard” →

Free Speech, Media, Politics

NewsGuard’s Gordon Crovitz Responds to Turley Column

On the weekend, I ran a column critical of NewsGuard and its recent notification of this blog that it was being “rated.” NewsGuard co-founder Gordon Crovitz responded to that column the next day. We have previously exchanged emails on my concerns over rating systems generally, including the Global Disinformation Index (which is not related to NewsGuard). I noted the concerns over bias from conservatives and members of Congress, but my primary concern remains with the concept of a rating system for media sites and blogs. While NewsGuard has given high ratings to some conservative sites, I generally oppose media rating systems due to free speech concerns and the use of these systems by the current anti-free speech movement.

I have always found Gordon to be open and frank about these subjects and I wanted readers on the blog to hear the opposing view from him directly. He was kind enough to consent to my posting the following. I will be posting a response to Gordon separately in the hopes that we can use this controversy as a foundation for a much needed discussion of rating systems and their impact on free speech.

Here is his response:

Continue reading “NewsGuard’s Gordon Crovitz Responds to Turley Column” →

Constitutional Law, Media

Former CNN Anchor Leads Major Challenge In Defense of the Second Amendment
YouTube Screengrab

For years, former CNN Anchor Lynne Russell was the familiar face of Headline News for the country. She may soon be making headlines again as the lead plaintiff in what could prove a major Second Amendment challenge in Washington, D.C. Russell is challenging the city’s prohibition on “off-body” carrying of weapons, including keeping a handgun in a purse. That type of off-body carry is precisely what may have saved Russell’s life in a shootout with an armed assailant in 2015. Continue reading “Former CNN Anchor Leads Major Challenge In Defense of the Second Amendment” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Media, Politics

Succession by Defenestration: How Biden’s Withdrawal May Trigger a 25th Amendment Fight

Below is my column in the Hill on the withdrawal of President Joe Biden from the 2024 election. After weeks of Democrats and the media raising the alarm of his mental capacity, Biden finally gave up his public refusal to step aside. Harris will now be the nominee through succession by defenestration, or being tossed from a window. Yet, there remains a lingering question of Biden’s capacity to serve for another six months as president.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Succession by Defenestration: How Biden’s Withdrawal May Trigger a 25th Amendment Fight” →