Background to media bias...
Three of us went to the Arizona state capitol to soak up the AW Ban protest and press conference set up by the anti-gun "Arizonans for Gun Safety." We were there to speak to the press afterward so that we could give some balance (read" accuracy) to the issue which has been sorely lacking lately. Still,w e were puzzled as to why the press continued to get the story so factually wrong ("now we will have AK47s in the streets" or "these are the same weapons used in Iraq") as if they were reading from a Handgun Control Incorporated fact sheet.
It turns out, they do rely on such fact sheets, based on laziness, and an agenda of their own...(see below)
The media, print reporters, radio reporters, three TV crews showed up for the same old dog-and-pony show set up by a dozen people. Would these journalists have bothered to show if a gun rights group had called the press conference? They've not done it for us before.
The following is from Gary C, who was at the press conference with me.
---snip---
I turned on the radio in time to hear the news at the top of the hour on KFYI. One of the first reports was a brief statement that both sides cannot agree on the consequences of the "assault weapons" ban sunset today. However, "AK-47s and UZI's will become legal" to manufacture and distribute.
After calling the KFYI News (602-650-5250) and speaking to the "news person" who just read the story, I am now INFORMED as to why KFYI news chose to run "this version of the AP story."
Ready? The answer is "it fits in the brief time slot that we have" ... yes, you read that right. It's an AP story quoting our friend, Sarah Brady.
The news person then played another version in the background which refers to NRA and others. It seemed to have a more "balanced" report but was slightly longer. I said, "play that version, it's at least factually correct." The version they are playing is a direct quote from the VPC press release carried by AP and contains a statement from Sarah Brady. But they don't mention the source (Brady) and REFUSE to include that in the news. They also REFUSE to retract or modify the story. They REFUSE to investigate and they REFUSE to listen further. Because?
Because, "Sir, you obviously have an agenda" and "we can't take time to call someone and confirm every story.'
The news person suggested that Mike Anthony, KFYI news director makes these decisions and will be in at 9am. (602-650-5250)
---snip---
Three of us went to the Arizona state capitol to soak up the AW Ban protest and press conference set up by the anti-gun "Arizonans for Gun Safety." We were there to speak to the press afterward so that we could give some balance (read" accuracy) to the issue which has been sorely lacking lately. Still,w e were puzzled as to why the press continued to get the story so factually wrong ("now we will have AK47s in the streets" or "these are the same weapons used in Iraq") as if they were reading from a Handgun Control Incorporated fact sheet.
It turns out, they do rely on such fact sheets, based on laziness, and an agenda of their own...(see below)
The media, print reporters, radio reporters, three TV crews showed up for the same old dog-and-pony show set up by a dozen people. Would these journalists have bothered to show if a gun rights group had called the press conference? They've not done it for us before.
The following is from Gary C, who was at the press conference with me.
---snip---
I turned on the radio in time to hear the news at the top of the hour on KFYI. One of the first reports was a brief statement that both sides cannot agree on the consequences of the "assault weapons" ban sunset today. However, "AK-47s and UZI's will become legal" to manufacture and distribute.
After calling the KFYI News (602-650-5250) and speaking to the "news person" who just read the story, I am now INFORMED as to why KFYI news chose to run "this version of the AP story."
Ready? The answer is "it fits in the brief time slot that we have" ... yes, you read that right. It's an AP story quoting our friend, Sarah Brady.
The news person then played another version in the background which refers to NRA and others. It seemed to have a more "balanced" report but was slightly longer. I said, "play that version, it's at least factually correct." The version they are playing is a direct quote from the VPC press release carried by AP and contains a statement from Sarah Brady. But they don't mention the source (Brady) and REFUSE to include that in the news. They also REFUSE to retract or modify the story. They REFUSE to investigate and they REFUSE to listen further. Because?
Because, "Sir, you obviously have an agenda" and "we can't take time to call someone and confirm every story.'
The news person suggested that Mike Anthony, KFYI news director makes these decisions and will be in at 9am. (602-650-5250)
---snip---
