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| Michele Bachmann (R.Minn.) official photo. |
Yes, I’ve repeatedly criticized the media for fanning the flames of controversy, its biased – often sexist – reporting, and its repeated bashing of selected politicians like Sarah Palin. But at the same time, I also insist on fact checking a politician’s statements – no matter who they are - and at least making an effort to keep our political leaders honest.
The Columbia Journalism Review nails the Star Tribune for its recent lapse in this area:
Campaign 2012 is underway, even with but one declared Republican contender. And so comes an example of What Not to Do in Campaign Reporting, courtesy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (h/t, MinnPost’s David Brauer).
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) visited Iowa (Iowa!) on Friday and delivered a speech “covered by a corps of roughly 50 Iowa, Minnesota and national media,” according to the Des Moines Register. In other words, speculative Election 2012 press coverage—Will s(he)? Won’t s(he)? And when will s(he) or won’t s(he)?— is picking up at a predictable pace.
“Bachmann testing the waters,” as the Star Tribune headline had it.
Mid-story, the Tribune reports, in passing, that “Democrats deride [Bachmann] as… factually challenged.” (I’m just passing along some other politicians’ claims about the veracity of this politician’s claims. Yes, I’m a reporter from Bachmann’s home state so I should be in a particularly good position to tell readers whether “factually challenged” is a fair description of the Congresswoman or just an unfounded Democratic dis. But, moving on….) A few sentences later it is confirmed: there will be no fact-challenging (of the “factually challenged”) here (emphasis mine):
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