They Tell Us the Truth

Posted by Mary Mancini on November 2, 2008 under Uncategorized |

In yesterday’s NY Times profile of media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, Republican pollster Frank Luntz said that Democrats should tell Media Matters to “shut up.” “They are vicious,” he continued, “They only understand one thing: attack, attack, attack.”

Congrats, Media Matters and friend of the show, Media Matters research fellow, Elbert Ventura*, for the article in the Times and for raising the blood pressure of Republican operatives everywhere! For too long they’ve spread their smears, half-truths, and lies, without any accountbility. But thanks to you and your colleagues, not anymore! No wonder Luntz is pissed.

The weekly Media Matters updates we get from Elbert are an indispensable source and help us wade through the manufactured reality that makes its way onto our airwaves. But Media Matters does not editorialize, they simply use the words of hyper-partisans as evidence of, well, The Crazy. If any viciousness exists, it’s in the words that Media Matters transcribes.

Take a look at today’s headlines, Cincinnati-based radio show, Bill Cunningham allegding that “Obama wants to gas the Jews” and Michael Savage saying that “If you’re insane, hate the family, hate man and woman, hate your mother and father, hate the Bible, hate the church, and hate the synagogue, of course you’re in favor of ‘no’ on Proposition 8.”

Luntz is right, that is vicious.

Talk to you tomorrow, Elbert!

*Elbert Ventura has worked as a writer, editor, and researcher for various publications. His work has appeared in The New Republic Online, The American Prospect Online, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among other outlets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and political science from Brown University and a master’s degree in media and public affairs from George Washington University. He is a Research Fellow at Media Matters for America.