The MEGA Media bias thread

[SWFLSkins]

Edit, 6-1-2010, I hope all members will join me in posting these articles and emailing the writers with the accurate information or at least post them to be followed up on later.

---------------------------------

I think based on both past and recent history that there should exist a thread that contains all the media bias for historical purposes. Having followed the Redskins for years and seeing some of the yellow journalism that has occured, it would be nice to have a reference thread to revisit as a matter of unofficial record here on ES.

I have seen several instances even in my local paper where articles from a wire service were changed and amended to fit an agenda or use sensationalism to achieve readership. Several instances of late involve national writers having made claims without quotes from the individuals involved. As a former collegiate journalism major this bothers me, I was certainly taught to respect the truth and to uncover it, not make it up.

This thread first,

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=323860

From JLC, May 2010

I hope you read this JLC and keep up with this thread, your sure to be of note.

[ACW]

Oh brother, some of you have a mega persecution complex :rolleyes:

[LD0506]

As a former collegiate journalism major this bothers me, I was certainly taught to respect the truth and to uncover it, not make it up.

You have no future whatsoever in journalism......

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I had a text message exchange with 106.7 the Fails Skins beat reporter Chris Russell about this the other day. He basically told me to **** off and that I don't know what he knows. The reason for the exchange was a 10 minute rant on his weekend show about how epically stupid the Skins are for wanting to play Haynesworth at the NT. I'm at work now but I'll post the whole thing when I get home.

[DGREENHULK]

It is the age old debate....Does the MEDIA go out of their way to disrespect the organization VS has the organization done enough to earn the respect of the Media?
I agree the media bias towards the SKINS is very real and some reporters and 4 letter networks do seem to go out of their way to "put us in our place" but we haven't produced much on the field in the past decade and we have an owner that people love to hate if you put those 2 things together the organization has painted a target on its back and the Main Stream Media is taking aim. The only way to fix the problem is winning and with Allen and Shanny it is only a matter of time before the Skins start gaining back the respect they ounce had. HTTR

[Coral]

You have no future whatsoever in journalism......

Ouch. That was uncalled for.

Why would you even say that? Delivering truth is the entire aim of journalism.

Compare the career of Adam Schefter with that of Jason La Canfora. Which prevails; truth or juicy gossip?

Just because those who are truly great within the field are few and far between doesn't mean that they don't exist, and the aspiration to be such certainly isn't a basis to bash someone.

[TK]

Ouch. That was uncalled for.

Why would you even say that? Delivering truth is the entire aim of journalism.

Compare the career of Adam Schefter with that of Jason La Canfora. Which prevails; truth or juicy gossip?

Just because those who are truly great within the field are few and far between doesn't mean that they don't exist, and the aspiration to be such certainly isn't a basis to bash someone.

http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2009/4/9/633748533114571260-Sarcasm.jpg

[SWFLSkins]

You have no future whatsoever in journalism......

Yeah, I am a terrible liar, thanks for the derail, haaha, But really the media visits here. Would it be so bad to to track the accuracy of their stories covering the Redskins?

[[[ghost]]]

Yeah, I am a terrible liar, thanks for the derail, haaha, But really the media visits here. Would it be so bad to to track the accuracy of their stories covering the Redskins?

I think he was just kidding. He was pretty much saying that you're understandable disregard for unethical news reporting goes hand in hand with mainstream news' current direction.

[Coral]

TK

How was that sarcasm? He just went after the poster for absolutely no reason.... it was just inconsiderate.

Had he said that yellow journalism didn't exist and that Mike Florio is the epitome of good journalism, then ok, that'd be sarcasm.

I actually feel bad that half the posts are directed at eachother, rather than the topic at hand, so let me throw in my two cents:

http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/04/23/haynesworth-deal-expected-to-come-down-friday/


JLC: Team and league sources remain convinced that the Redskins will trade DT Albert Haynesworth on Friday, most likely to the Titans for a third-round draft pick. Despite various denials from multiple teams, the sources said the Redskins are still shopping Haynesworth and have held recent conversations with the Lions, Titans and Vikings.

This isn't EXACTLY what I was looking for, but I'm sure you'll all recall. JLC vehemently insisted that Albert Haynesworth would be traded. Even after Mike Shanahan appeared on air and denied it. Even after Adam Schefter said it wouldn't happen. He insisted he "knew people" that "knew" Haynesworth was going to be dealt.

The stories that have ensued almost lead me to believe he's TRYING to personally make a rift in our locker room.

[Mahons21]

Did really no one get the joke? He was saying he has no future in journalism because SWFLskins was saying he was taught to report the truth.. He was implying journalists no longer reveal/report the truth, they report whatever will pay the mortgage.

[LD0506]

TK- Bullseye, as usual


Coral- try the decaf


SWFLSkins- No insult intended whatsoever, but like Gresham's Law "Bad money drives out good", those amoral types willing to do whatever to get their name in print, even if it means fabrications and innuendos passing for substance, will overwhelm and swamp that righteous few who try to hold to the ideals of what journalism once was and drive them out.


Thanks Mahons, I guess I wuz been to sub-till or sumptin

[PortlandSkins]

of course the media trashes us. our owner is a douche and makes it known on a daily basis. there is no bias--no need for it.

[Enter Apotheosis]

of course the media trashes us. our owner is a douche and makes it known on a daily basis. there is no bias--no need for it.

Do you close your eyes when you read threads?

[Coral]

Coral- try the decaf


SWFLSkins- No insult intended whatsoever, but like Gresham's Law "Bad money drives out good", those amoral types willing to do whatever to get their name in print, even if it means fabrications and innuendos passing for substance, will overwhelm and swamp that righteous few who try to hold to the ideals of what journalism once was and drive them out.

:pint:

Ok.

Even so, I just don't buy into what you're saying.

I like to think that guys like Schefter and Morton are the best reporters. Are their reports the juiciest? No, not really... Are they the funniest? Hmm... sometimes.... Photogenic? No..?

They're the best at what they do because they're RIGHT!!!! It's journalism at it's finest.

I don't think there's anyone here on ES that doesn't respect Schefter and hate JLC. We obviously know the good ones from the bad ones. There are fewer good, but they're the ones we (and everyone else) pay attention to; wouldn't you agree?

Joke or not, I don't think you're correct in your assumption that honest reporting will forever be overshadowed by gossip.

[BadKarma]

I have no problem with the media creating an open forum for discussion but lately it seems to me that outlets like the Post and JFK have run out of things to talk about and are attempting to create rifts in the organization. At the end of the day we as Redskins fans all share the common desire to see this team get back to the glory days and this mean spirited anti Redskin propaganda is going to fall out of favor quickly when the team starts to evolve under the new leadership. Looking forward to the inevitable format change at WJFK in 6-8 months.

:point2sky

[TK]

Even so, I just don't buy into what you're saying.
It went over your head, under your feet & nowhere inbetween. :silly:

[Merlin Emrys]

Who cares. Just take it for what it's worth and move on.

[Coral]

It went over your head, under your feet & nowhere inbetween. :silly:

:stop: agreement and comprehension are not one in the same.

[Destino]

Winning (and not declaring war on your local paper) cures everything. The Redskins make the playoffs next year and score some points and the media will be writing fluff pieces on McNabb finding a new home, the resurgence of Shanahan, and some heart string tale about some previously unknown (nationally) player. If they lose we'll hear about Snyder trying to buy a championship again and the lack of draft picks pointing to a business as usual attitude in Ashburn.

Welcome to pro sports.

[Major Harris]

Winning (and not declaring war on your local paper) cures everything. The Redskins make the playoffs next year and score some points and the media will be writing fluff pieces on McNabb finding a new home, the resurgence of Shanahan, and some heart string tale about some previously unknown (nationally) player. If they lose we'll hear about Snyder trying to buy a championship again and the lack of draft picks pointing to a business as usual attitude in Ashburn.

Welcome to pro sports.
this.

the persecution complex on here is funny. i don't visit other teams message boards, but i'd be willing to bet there are fans of a lot of other teams that feel the same way.

[RFKFedEx]

the persecution complex on here is funny. i don't visit other teams message boards, but i'd be willing to bet there are fans of a lot of other teams that feel the same way.

:hysterical:

You are so right. If you visit Cowboyszone.com you'll read of complaints that the national media always hates on the Cowboys and loves to see Dallas fail, etc.

I'd venture to say that per capita, there are an equal number of fans for every team who feel there is bias against their team. Consequently, there is little bias on the whole.

Also, the OP should know that it is impossible to not have bias or an agenda in journalism.

[SWFLSkins]

SWFLSkins- No insult intended whatsoever, but like Gresham's Law "Bad money drives out good", those amoral types willing to do whatever to get their name in print, even if it means fabrications and innuendos passing for substance, will overwhelm and swamp that righteous few who try to hold to the ideals of what journalism once was and drive them out.


____________________________

None taken, I understand what your saying, thus the HAHA. It is like the media is no longer held to any standards and I can't believe half these guys get on TV without merit.

[SWFLSkins]

this.

the persecution complex on here is funny. i don't visit other teams message boards, but i'd be willing to bet there are fans of a lot of other teams that feel the same way.

I don't doubt that Major, but the Redskins get more than their fare share. And I do believe by tracking it, it could be useful in the future. PFT probably propels lies and slander against all the teams.


__________________________________________

Also, the OP should know that it is impossible to not have bias or an agenda in journalism.


That is true, but certainly tracking the twists and bias would not only be fun but informative. That was my goal, not to save journalism. You know like helping a turtle cross the road and not running him over is not saving the world.

[LD0506]

Is there media bias? Sure, and RFK is right, there always has been but the essence of "journalism" (or what journalism used to be considered as) is to reduce or mitigate that bias as much as possible, or at the very least admit to it and make clear where you stand.

I don't think it is a specific bias against the Skins entirely as much as it is a symptom of what "journalism" has become. It is now Sportsertainment!, it is geared to the short-attention span crowd, to easy sound bites and buzzwords, to casting the advertising net as wide as possible even if it degrades the end product in the process.

Of course there are serious responsible people out there trying to find substance and meaning to offer to the public, but in an age where blogs and tweets are accepted as "news", the genuine journalists get drowned out. People have allowed themselves to be conditioned like magpies, they will jump at the sight of something shiny, anything different, and have no interest in doing any of that hard, boring reading stuff when they can just hop-hop-hop over to the next shiny thing. Journalists used to hold themselves accountable to the truth, that served as the one real check on their actions, but nowadays that's gone out the window. Listen closely, you can hear Edward R. Murrow spinning in his grave at about 3,000rpm.

If anything, ES flies in the face of that, people here are quite willing to dismiss and disparage the lazy reports, the crap that gets repeated again and again in the hopes that it may morph into actual news. TK calls out lazy journalism all the time, but never runs out of examples and opportunities to do so. We rehash the sloppy slipshod reportage daily, but it never goes away.

I applaud SWFLSkins, I sincerely hope he can retain that sense of idealism and commitment to the higher calling of actual journalism, but it will be an uphill battle. It will take legions of others with that same mindset and willingness to do it right, even if it is the hard way, to ever change what is the current morass of media spew.

[Park City Skins]

I remember back when we used to beat up on Len on a regular basis. Distinctly recall him giving an offensive lineman very good reviews right after the season roughly 8 years ago. As soon as the Redskins signed him,he was a mediocre lineman at best. True story. I'd be willing to guess,(okay,so I actually have seen this on other teams message boards in the past),that this type of charge isn't just an ES thing.

[DeadExField]

check NFL network right now, JLC ranting on Haynesworth again... the head line is

"DANIEL SNYDER DISAPPOINTED WITH ALBERT HAYNESWORTH"

[RFKFedEx]

Journalism is entertainment and nothing more. Always has been.

I actually like the fact that we have more choices for our news than ever before. I've loved Boswell forever, but the 8 local guys who've replaced him have less potential for bias than one person IMO.

How many people here actually feel like taking the time to read an entire newspaper article these days? (online newspapers, not the actual smelly ink rags we grew up with). I still glance at the WP.com every day, but I only read a full length peice 2-3 times a week.

I know I'm usually too lazy to commit 5-10 mins to read an entire peice bc I can skim the headlines to get what I need. If the story interests me enough, I'll read it. I usually look for an alternative source like ES to get to the meat of a story. If I'm really interested, I'll get prospective from several writers, not just the WPost staffers.

[brianm23]

Ouch. That was uncalled for.

Why would you even say that? Delivering truth is the entire aim of journalism.

Compare the career of Adam Schefter with that of Jason La Canfora. Which prevails; truth or juicy gossip?

Just because those who are truly great within the field are few and far between doesn't mean that they don't exist, and the aspiration to be such certainly isn't a basis to bash someone.


Gossip will prevail more than truth. Why do you think Soap Operas exist or gossip magazines? Also, you missed the whole meaning behind LD's comment.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/leavinglv/whoosh-over-yr-head.jpg


EDIT: Furthermore, you need to wake up from your fantasy world you are living in. Yes, journalism is "supposed" to be about truth and fact presenting but it's not. It's not what sells, and will not be what's promoted. Want fact? Do your own research on the topics at hand. That's about the only way you'll get a "unbiased" opinion on what goes on. Stories will be edited, quotes left out or misquoted, lying, false sources and much much more goes along with journalism these days. It's not just in sports reporting either, it's in corporate media alike and even filters down to local papers.

[Riggo#44]

check NFL network right now, JLC ranting on Haynesworth again... the head line is

"DANIEL SNYDER DISAPPOINTED WITH ALBERT HAYNESWORTH"

I won't go far as to say that it's a media bias...it's more like media BS. Take a look at Mosely's twist on that headline. It goes from "Snyder Disappointed..." to "Snyder Fed Up..."

[SKOALSKIN]

I had a text message exchange with 106.7 the Fails Skins beat reporter Chris Russell about this the other day. He basically told me to **** off and that I don't know what he knows. The reason for the exchange was a 10 minute rant on his weekend show about how epically stupid the Skins are for wanting to play Haynesworth at the NT. I'm at work now but I'll post the whole thing when I get home.

I caught wind of the show. This guy is the worst. He gets a weekend show on the fan and all of a sudden he's John Clayton. Russell sniffs around Redskins park, but his inside information has been absimal thus far. I love that he engaged you in a text battle.
The only guy worse then Russell is Holden Kuchner.

[Riggo#44]

I caught wind of the show. This guy is the worst. He gets a weekend show on the fan and all of a sudden he's John Clayton. Russell sniffs around Redskins park, but his inside information has been absimal thus far. I love that he engaged you in a text battle.
The only guy worse then Russell is Holden Kuchner.

I really think 106.7 goes out of it's way to be Anti-Redskins, or at least Anti-Snyder...I like the Junkies, and even they try to look for reasons to bash the Skins and Snyder.

That recent flap between Portis and Arrington was started by Russell who BROUGHT UP Lavar to Portis about regarding Taylor's locker... KNOWING it would stir up a **** strom. And then, in Arrington's response, he completely ignores the fact that Russell mention Arrington to Portis regarding an emotional subject such as Taylor.

[Merlin Emrys]

Is there media bias? Sure, and RFK is right, there always has been but the essence of "journalism" (or what journalism used to be considered as) is to reduce or mitigate that bias as much as possible, or at the very least admit to it and make clear where you stand.

I don't think it is a specific bias against the Skins entirely as much as it is a symptom of what "journalism" has become. It is now Sportsertainment!, it is geared to the short-attention span crowd, to easy sound bites and buzzwords, to casting the advertising net as wide as possible even if it degrades the end product in the process.


Yes, this is true, but you're confusing sports with real news. Sports is entertainment, not news. Therefore the traditional rules of journalism do not entirely apply.

[Coral]

Gossip will prevail more than truth. Why do you think Soap Operas exist or gossip magazines? Also, you missed the whole meaning behind LD's comment.

EDIT: Furthermore, you need to wake up from your fantasy world you are living in. Yes, journalism is "supposed" to be about truth and fact presenting but it's not. It's not what sells, and will not be what's promoted. Want fact? Do your own research on the topics at hand. That's about the only way you'll get a "unbiased" opinion on what goes on. Stories will be edited, quotes left out or misquoted, lying, false sources and much much more goes along with journalism these days. It's not just in sports reporting either, it's in corporate media alike and even filters down to local papers.


I'm not sure what's funnier... the fact that you're a hypocrite for obviously not reading my post (Per: "Also, you missed the whole meaning behind LD's comment.") or the erroneous rant that followed.

I acknowledged that there is poor journalism; even to the effect of saying that the number of poor journalists heavily outnumbers those who truly excel.

The whole basis for my "fantasy world" in your argument is void and there is one more issue I'm going to get to, but I'd like to stop for a moment and make an example out of you.

It's people like you that are the epitome of yellow journalism. You saw my post and saw that it was against the grain (whether or not it is true is up for debate; it's a subjective opinion), so you took it and put your own spin on it in form of insulting me. You evidently didn't read the entire statement, nor have you been following the exchange between the OP, LOD, TK and myself. Selective listening is a *****. You wasted my time and now you look silly.

The last thing I mentioned before that I'd like to clarify is the public interest in gossip. Yes, it's certainly there for a casual fan, but I don't think any of us fit that description here on EXTREMEskins.

Does Adam Schefter gossip? No. Do we take his reports for dogma? Pretty much.

Does Mike Florio gossip? :ols: Do we take his reports for dogma? :ols:

The point is, we're exposed to both, and quite frankly, we enjoy reading both. Further, we're able to separate fact and fiction. The Schefter reports typically end up in the breaking news section, whilst the Florio ones come here, are shortly thereafter closed and the poster is NNT'd (exaggeration, but you get what I'm saying). Surely, we're able to differentiate between these journalists.... at least I hope we are!!!!

The conversations you have with fans of other teams or the postman might involve such gossip, but I really don't think any of us take it too seriously.

In summary, there IS bad journalism and the number of bad journalists BY FAR outnumbers the good, but the amount of attention paid to the latter outweighs the effect of the former.

Just check how many followers Schefter has on twitter compared to JLC or Chris Russell (lol).

We AGREE!!! I don't understand what you see in my posts compared to what you're accusing me of overlooking.

[AzSkinsFan63]

we love our media bias it keeps us secure in our own delusions....

[LD0506]

I hope we can all agree on one thing: the offseason would be torture with ES as a platform for all of our rants.

The season cannot start soon enough....

[brianm23]

It's people like you that are the epitome of yellow journalism. You saw my post and saw that it was against the grain (whether or not it is true is up for debate; it's a subjective opinion), so you took it and put your own spin on it in form of insulting me. You evidently didn't read the entire statement, nor have you been following the exchange between the OP, LOD, TK and myself. Selective listening is a *****. You wasted my time and now you look silly.

Insulted you? Give me a ****ing break. I hate when people play the "victim" role as a means of a trumph card. Listen bro, that **** doesn't work with me so save your damsel in distress routine for a later date when you are being truly insulted by somebody.

I read the exchange, and it looks like TK and I saw the same thing. OP posted something about being a journalism major and brought truth up as a factor. Then LD comes along and makes a joke to the OP about journalism not being his future, which you emphatically respond "Ouch. That was uncalled for". It was a joke on the media, not to him or his dreams of being a journalist. Why was it uncalled for? Do you honestly think the media is truthful? I talked to this journalism student the other day about media, and she says majoring in journalism has opened her eyes to how bias media really is. She said the best paper's she's read (in terms of just reporting facts without bias) are the ones that the campus puts out which is very small time to say the least.

Selective listening? What? I'm not "listening" to anything, but I am reading this.

[brianm23]

In summary, there IS bad journalism and the number of bad journalists BY FAR outnumbers the good, but the amount of attention paid to the latter outweighs the effect of the former.

Just check how many followers Schefter has on twitter compared to JLC or Chris Russell (lol).


Really? I bet there have been more JLC/Russell threads created than Schefter. Schefter might have the following, but it's the JLC/Russell stuff that gets people talking. It's the drama. Drama sells. So I'd say the attention was paid more to the hacks out there, regardless if people take them serious or not.

JLC is probably one of the most talked about reporter on this site in the years I've been here. Not good talk, but talk never the less.

[Coral]

Insulted you? Give me a ****ing break. I hate when people play the "victim" role as a means of a trumph card.

Didn't use it as a trump card at all; I simply used it as a reason to respond to your nonsense. All I have to do is quote you for a trump card. You're doing a fine job digging yourself into incoherent holes.


I read the exchange, and it looks like TK and I saw the same thing. OP posted something about being a journalism major and brought truth up as a factor. Then LD comes along and makes a joke to the OP about journalism not being his future, which you emphatically respond "Ouch. That was uncalled for". It was a joke on the media, not to him or his dreams of being a journalist. Why was it uncalled for? Do you honestly think the media is truthful?

I'm not even going to answer this. I have several times already. (http://extremeskins.com/showthread.php?p=7534837)


I talked to this journalism student the other day

You're 37. Amber alert.


Selective listening? What? I'm not "listening" to anything, but I am reading this.

It's an expression, albeit one too complicated for you, obviously.

[brianm23]

You're 37. Amber alert.

Now this is a insult. So you are insinuating that since I'm 37 and talked to a journalism student that I'm now a kid napper or a threat to underage kids?


Nothing left in the arsenal so start slinging mud eh? At this point you are just trolling.

[LD0506]

Well damn, this is like a hockey game, I went to a conversation and a fight broke out.

This really isn't an argument, it isn't even a debate, it is a somewhat random conversation that we use to help us Skins fans jonesin' for the season to start to get by.

I didn't take anything Coral said as an affront, and I was the one he directed his remarks to. I envy him his innocence of youth, untouched by the ravages of cynicism or the alimony he had to pay his starter wife. I can respect his idealistic view of the media, I just cannot share it. No fault, no foul, no reason to load the shotgun.

Like any worthwhile conversation, there is no absolute right or wrong, and the meat in the bun is all subjective opinion. The rancor in the ranks is somewhat misplaced.

(The preceding editorial does not represent the views of this station or its sponsors)

[Coral]

Well damn, this is like a hockey game, I went to a conversation and a fight broke out.

This really isn't an argument, it isn't even a debate, it is a somewhat random conversation that we use to help us Skins fans jonesin' for the season to start to get by.

I didn't take anything Coral said as an affront, and I was the one he directed his remarks to. I envy him his innocence of youth, untouched by the ravages of cynicism or the alimony he had to pay his starter wife. I can respect his idealistic view of the media, I just cannot share it. No fault, no foul, no reason to load the shotgun.

Like any worthwhile conversation, there is no absolute right or wrong, and the meat in the bun is all subjective opinion. The rancor in the ranks is somewhat misplaced.

(The preceding editorial does not represent the views of this station or its sponsors)

And I too respect your opinion... here here!

Although I'm still bitter that your wife is STILL cleaning me out for that child support ;)

[darrelgreenie]

Several instances of late involve national writers having made claims without quotes from the individuals involved. As a former collegiate journalism major this bothers me, I was certainly taught to respect the truth and to uncover it, not make it up.

We're not the only ones tired of JLC passing off his own speculation as reporting citing unknown 'sources':

Mayock calls him out @ 2:07:

feZm-AK4HrE

[RFKFedEx]

JLC got a huge promotion when w/ the NFLN signed him last year.

If he were lousy at his job, I doubt he would have seen a bump in pay at a time when many journalists are getting laid off.

[Califan007]

Coral, that hole is getting deeper. I'd stop digging if I were you.

As for the media bias against the Redskins, the media uses templates to shape their stories for the most part, and the current template for the Redskins is "Snyder is greedy and meddling/Haynesworth is disgruntled and just another in a long line of high priced FA signings that failed in Washington." Every story and blog entry must have the facts fit into that template as much as possible. It's the paint-by-numbers approach to journalism.

And journalist make it worse by parroting each other's rumors and speculation as if it's proven fact merely BECAUSE another journalist or media anaylst wrote about it or reported it. So you get guys at press conferences saying things like "Jason La Canfora reported that Albert Haynesworth feels "decieved" by the Redskins. Do you agree Haynesworth has a right to feel deceived, Bruce Allen?"...The idea that maybe--just maybe--Jason La Canfora was wrong never enters the equation. He reported it, so it's taken as etched-in-stone truth and allows every other journalist to run with it as such. So one reporter's speculation from a "source familiar with the situation" gets repeated as fact by dozens of other journalists in dozens of other stories, blogs and press conferences.

What's the saying? "If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth"...well, if you repeat a rumor or speculation often enough and in different media outlets it becomes the truth.

[Califan007]

JLC got a huge promotion when w/ the NFLN signed him last year.

If he were lousy at his job, I doubt he would have seen a bump in pay at a time when many journalists are getting laid off.

Depends. What do they want from him: good journalism or good ratings and lots of blog hits?

There's a reason the National Inquirer never lays off anyone, aferall lol ;).

[RFKFedEx]

There's a reason the National Inquirer never lays off anyone, aferall lol ;).

I wouldn't be surprised if their staff has been pinched by all of the other gossip outlets like E Network, TV Guide tv, etc.

But how often is the National Inquirer proven wrong?

I'm not talking about the Weekly World News. Surely you remember that b&w newspaper at the supermarket check stand that was always writing about Elvis sightings. It was right there next to the Inquirer and other tabloids.:silly: Sadly it went out of print last year.:mad:

I'm talking about the National Inquirer, specifically in comparison to JLC.

Believe it or not, the NI has an amazing record of accuracy. The gossip they report is often confirmed by mainstream media outlets later on.

Same for JLC at the NFLN, and before when he was at the WP.

[LD0506]

Califan makes an excellent point, and why do they act that way? Because it's easy, because they don't have to go traipsing around, talking to people that know wtf they are talking about to write a non-flashy story that gets buried behind "OMG, Tony Romo didn't go golfing!!!" leads.

Congrats to Mayock for speaking the truth there, even if it isn't "shiny", it's lazy to just cite "unknown sources" (real or imagined) to float tripe that is barely blog worthy.

And Coral, I went to HomeDepot and bought a ladder with your $$, bring it back when you're done :silly:

[LD0506]

I wouldn't be surprised if their staff has been pinched by all of the other gossip outlets like E Network, TV Guide tv, etc.

But how often is the National Enquirer proven wrong?

I'm not talking about the Weekly World News. Surely you remember that b&w newspaper at the supermarket check stand that was always writing about Elvis sightings. It was right there next to the Inquirer and other tabloids.:silly: Sadly it went out of print last year.:mad:

I'm talking about the National Enquirer specifically in comparison to JLC.

Believe it or not, the NE has an amazing record of accuracy. The gossip they report is often confirmed by mainstream media outlets later on.

Same for JLC at the NFLN, and before when he was at the WP.

K: "Best investigative reporting on the planet. But go ahead, read the New York Times if you want. They get lucky sometimes."

http://imstars.aufeminin.com/stars/fan/tommy-lee-jones/tommy-lee-jones-20040428-1355.jpg

[Coral]

Califan makes an excellent point, and why do they act that way? Because it's easy, because they don't have to go traipsing around, talking to people that know wtf they are talking about to write a non-flashy story that gets buried behind "OMG, Tony Romo didn't go golfing!!!" leads.

Congrats to Mayock for speaking the truth there, even if it isn't "shiny", it's lazy to just cite "unknown sources" (real or imagined) to float tripe that is barely blog worthy.

And Coral, I went to HomeDepot and bought a ladder with your $$, bring it back when you're done :silly:

Either I don't get the joke or you don't.... but ok

Let me try to rephrase what I've been saying all along in a more "civil manner".

It's a shame that the E in ESPN stands for entertainment, because that's all it is... It really is difficult to find objective, bare truth sports reporting... It's out there, but I'd rather it be handed to me instead of all the garbage that is instead.

If I want gossip, I'll watch TMZ or go check out Perez Hilton. I want sports.

PS--Califan

Why do you suggest I stop digging? To which hole are you referring? I'm lost.

[LD0506]

Either I don't get the joke or you don't.... but ok

Let me try to rephrase what I've been saying all along in a more "civil manner".

It's a shame that the E in ESPN stands for entertainment, because that's all it is... It really is difficult to find objective, bare truth sports reporting... It's out there, but I'd rather it be handed to me instead of all the garbage that is instead.

If I want gossip, I'll watch TMZ or go check out Perez Hilton. I want sports.

My issue with so many of them is that the E in ESPN is becoming the E! in E-Network gossip spew. You said it yourself, you will accept that preprocessed artificially flavored imitation sports food substitute they offer, because "It really is difficult to find objective, bare truth sports reporting.....I'd rather it be handed to me". You have been programmed to accept this as the norm, as the best option on a scanty menu. It really hasn't always been this way, you can go back to the 80's for instance, not that long ago, and there were a lot of serious sports writers doing solid work every day, working at a craft, not just turning in X-amount of typespace to meet a deadline in the quickest, cheapest fashion possible.


PS--Califan

Why do you suggest I stop digging? To which hole are you referring? I'm lost.http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/ThatDaveGuy7/Coral.jpg

[Coral]

I don't know what to say. I see us agreeing, but you don't and there's no reasoning with you. I guess it's your time of the month.

I'll tell you what though, I like that I mean so much to you that you made me a picture :ladiesman

[Califan007]

I wouldn't be surprised if their staff has been pinched by all of the other gossip outlets like E Network, TV Guide tv, etc.

But how often is the National Inquirer proven wrong?

I'm not talking about the Weekly World News. Surely you remember that b&w newspaper at the supermarket check stand that was always writing about Elvis sightings. It was right there next to the Inquirer and other tabloids.:silly: Sadly it went out of print last year.:mad:
Are they the ones that always had the "Bat Boy" stories? lol :ols:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/justmebyron/Humorous/batboy1.jpg





I'm talking about the National Inquirer, specifically in comparison to JLC.

Believe it or not, the NI has an amazing record of accuracy. The gossip they report is often confirmed by mainstream media outlets later on.

Same for JLC at the NFLN, and before when he was at the WP.
National Inquirer has an "amazing record of accuracy"? lol...Um, no. No, they do not. What they DO have, is the occasional rumor that is more or less shown to be based in fact. Unfortunately, all that has done is give validity to everything else they print and allows them to continue tossing out unsubstatiated rumor after unsubstantiated rumor as "fact". I remember reading an article by a person who wrote for the National Inquirer and how they were encouraged to make up **** lol :yes:...

The NI does have its sources, no doubt, and occasionally they come through. But by and large they make their money by treating any and all celebrity gossip as equal and equally worthy of publishing, even if they have to make up 90% of it themselves. ;)

[Coral]

Now this is a insult. So you are insinuating that since I'm 37 and talked to a journalism student that I'm now a kid napper or a threat to underage kids?


Nothing left in the arsenal so start slinging mud eh? At this point you are just trolling.

You bet it was an insult.

I've tried time and time again to explain the same thing over and over to you.

I believe we agree, and even if you don't, you REFUSE to respectfully disagree.

I spoke with LOD. We're good; we're cleaning the slate. We concur that we're seeing eye to eye on this.

You on the other hand are being close-minded and irrational regarding the opinions of the others around you.

I know you want to be a mod, but unfortunately you're not and you can't NNT people who "disagree" with you. Sorry.

I don't know what you want at this point. Myself and the others have moved on. Dwell on your demons if you'd like. I know we're all done.

[RFKFedEx]

Are they the ones that always had the "Bat Boy" stories? lol :ols:

Nice find Cali!:ols: I miss seeing that rag in the grociery stores.




[QUOTE=Califan007;7535494]National Inquirer has an "amazing record of accuracy"? lol...Um, no. No, they do not.

Well when they get it wrong, people sue. We don't hear of that happening much.


Nobody claims to be Sixty Minutes w/ Mike Wallace when reporting tabloid brain rot.

[SWFLSkins]

I applaud SWFLSkins, I sincerely hope he can retain that sense of idealism and commitment to the higher calling of actual journalism, but it will be an uphill battle. It will take legions of others with that same mindset and willingness to do it right, even if it is the hard way, to ever change what is the current morass of media spew.
_______________________________________________

I thank you, and agree. But certainly in this day of the internet we can fight back to a degree in our own teams defense by posting the insane twists and speculation for timeless review. It could even be done as a filed by offender form and watch the trends of individual outlets and reporters. And surely one day when another media type is visiting they will stubble accross it. It would then be used to humiliate the offending party for town square fodder.

This is the only hope for accountability, will it work? I don't know. Maybe some think it is a waste of time or naive, but I see how much time is wasting on b'in about it and no action. This is action based and again would chart for historical purposes the facts after they come out.

You know like a year or so from now when Haynesworth and Snyder might be hugging a Lombardi together.

[SWFLSkins]

Yes, this is true, but you're confusing sports with real news. Sports is entertainment, not news. Therefore the traditional rules of journalism do not entirely apply.

So the NFL equates to professional wrestling?

Now that is rich.

[LD0506]

Well SWFL, if nothing else, you help teach people here what it means to be held accountable, that the kneejerk reaction is not always warranted, and maybe even a little measure of patience for a team in transition.

But I'm a dreamer

[SWFLSkins]

Well SWFL, if nothing else, Your a dreamer

Fixed it for you. :ols:

At least you get the point of the idea. IF the articles that are so outlandish were posted in one thread everyones neck would not suffer from whiplash. :pfft:

I Can't wait for voluntary camps to begin and the fans could actually worry about real concerns. I am stupified as to the Haynesworth news actually being news with no follow-up or comments with Haynesworth himself. Other than twisted tidbits from the owner and the coach, they got nothing.

Still in my dream world the ESers would track these instances and be able to reflect back on them from time to time. Not only to see who is most offending, but also to :ols: at those most offended.

[brianm23]

You bet it was an insult.

I've tried time and time again to explain the same thing over and over to you.

You on the other hand are being close-minded and irrational regarding the opinions of the others around you.

I know you want to be a mod, but unfortunately you're not and you can't NNT people who "disagree" with you. Sorry.


Are you high? Close minded about what? Nothing to be close minded about. You made a comment, I responded to it. That was the end of it as far as I'm concerned, but yet you felt the need to insult me basically calling me a some child kidnapper/molester/murder? You need help.

I can assure I want nothing to do with being a Mod on this site. Even if I was a Mod, how could NNT somebody stop people from disagreeing with me? NNT is for "No New Threads", it doesn't mean that can't post. Do you even think before you start typing? Just curious.

[LD0506]

I Can't wait for voluntary camps to begin and the fans could actually worry about real concerns. I am stupified as to the Haynesworth news actually being news with no follow-up or comments with Haynesworth himself. Other than twisted tidbits from the owner and the coach, they got nothing.


I am a firm believer that Haynesworth could come out and say "Yes, I like cats" and THAT would get twisted somehow into "See? It's a clue! He wants to go to the Panthers! Cats! That's the hint!.... tweet it before someone else does!" :secret:

No good could come from AH saying anything at this point, so I give him credit for ignoring it all, the same way that Shanny and Allen just dismiss the speculation anymore.

But dammit this season cannot start soon enough! :ols:

[LadySkinsFan]

I think the difference lies between "media" and "journalism."

Journalism, as I was taught, involves the 5 Ws and the H: who, what, when, where, why and how. We were taught to gather facts and to have 2 independent sources.

Media involves speculation, opinion, and maybe a fact or two scattered around. I don't mind opinion as long as it's labeled as such. I really hate speculation because it's based on mostly nothing, it involves inflating one's own "skill" in digging out facts and the biggest thing, it's mostly about negative subjects.

As long as we can distinguish the two types of information, we will know where to place our trust.

One reason I like Schecter is because most of what he reports and/or tweets are facts and he demonstrates the journalistic tradition. JLC and the rest are just media persons.

[SWFLSkins]

I think the difference lies between "media" and "journalism."

Journalism, as I was taught, involves the 5 Ws and the H: who, what, when, where, why and how. We were taught to gather facts and to have 2 independent sources.

Media involves speculation, opinion, and maybe a fact or two scattered around. I don't mind opinion as long as it's labeled as such. I really hate speculation because it's based on mostly nothing, it involves inflating one's own "skill" in digging out facts and the biggest thing, it's mostly about negative subjects.

_______________________________________________

I guess I never really thought about it like that and you have a great point. As disgusting as it is, it is the truth. Sadly true journalist(those seeking truth) are a dying breed in today's instant news world. I mean who really remembers the truth when the next headline is more grotesque than the last.


"We aim to depress in this golden age of grotesque"

[Bootleg]

Why can't professional athletes just sue the yellow journalists for libel and defamation of character?

They have the money to afford the lawsuit, and writing stories that are outright false definitely have an impact on their future contracts and ability to work...

[AllAboutTheU]

The national media loves to either diss or ignore the Redskins and it's been that way ever since Snyder bought the team and it probably will never change as long as he still does. Fortunately the media loves talking about McNabb so that acquisition alone will get us more attention.

[monkeezgob]

My God! There's enough insecurity evident in this thread for a psychiatric conference!
Every fan thinks their team is persecuted by the media. There's no conspiracy here. When you sign high profile, tempremental players of course the media are going to try to extract the maximum amount of drama out of any situation involving them. It's what they do! Just like they did with the Steelers and the Giants recently too when their players behaved appallingly. Is there some sort of dark conspiracy at work there too? Come on folks, grow up! You're smarter than this.

[Park City Skins]

Coral. Brianm23. Take it to PM now. While you still have those privileges,(which will be for the next 10 to 15 mins. After that.....).

Sorry to the rest of you. Carry on.

[zoony]

I think we've heard enough from Mr. Coral.

Coral, if you decide to start posting again this August- and if you don't, I think that would be fine with all of us- you are going to need to pick your game up tremendously.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, then this isn't the place for you.

[TheShredSkinz]

what?? The media loves to talk about the Redskins. Good,bad, or ugly. Be thankful we are not the Jaguars,Chiefs, or Panthers. I do believe JLC has something against us and other guys are big cowboys naturally making us the team they love to hate but we haven't won **** in a loooong time. We do have a cocky fanbase for a franchise who hasn't won **** in 20 years.

[SWFLSkins]

My God! There's enough insecurity evident in this thread for a psychiatric conference!
Every fan thinks their team is persecuted by the media. There's no conspiracy here. When you sign high profile, tempremental players of course the media are going to try to extract the maximum amount of drama out of any situation involving them. It's what they do! Just like they did with the Steelers and the Giants recently too when their players behaved appallingly. Is there some sort of dark conspiracy at work there too? Come on folks, grow up! You're smarter than this.


I think you missed the intention of the thread. It was not to say the Skins are alone in this string of mistruths, it was to simply catalog them by offender so we (the ESers) could look back and laugh at the offender and the posters who over-reacted. There is indeed an agenda in the media to rile fans up for readership. And btw, I think putting others down for thinking differently is not being grown up. As far as smarts, even the geniuses lack good judgement when emotionally discussing a topic as well documented on this board.

Oh and you want to tell me the media is level when covering the Redskins vs. the Giants and the Steelers? Really?

[The Dude]

The media has a unilateral anti-Skins agenda. ESPN is the worst offender, by far. For example, when showing highlights of any NFL player, the video team is told to first find clips of players performing well against the Skins. It's disgusting.

[SWFLSkins]

6-1-2010, Yahoo sports ranks Redskins RB's number 30. Let's see what the season brings.

BTW....Rushing Yards 2008

1. Adrian Peterson MIN 1760
2. Michael Turner ATL 1699
3. DeAngelo Williams CAR 1515
4. Clinton Portis WAS 1487
5. Thomas Jones NYJ 1312



http://extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=324565

30. Washington Redskins: Clinton Portis(notes), Larry Johnson(notes) and Willie Parker: The names sound so impressive until you realize it’s not 2006 or 2007 anymore. That’s the last time any of these guys were really good for an entire season. They’re all at the end of their careers. Perhaps coach Mike Shanahan will get enough out of them as a combination to be respectable and he still could add Brian Westbrook(notes). But that’s a big “perhaps.”

[SlinginSammy HOF '63]

Delivering truth is the entire aim of journalism.



Maybe in another era

[The Tris]

BTW....Rushing Yards 2008

1. Adrian Peterson MIN 1760
2. Michael Turner ATL 1699
3. DeAngelo Williams CAR 1515
4. Clinton Portis WAS 1487
5. Thomas Jones NYJ 1312


I didn't comment in the thread discussing that ranking, but come on, if you are going to attack that article, bringing up the 2008 rushing chart is just terrible.

Two years for an older running back is a lifetime:

Shaun Alexander 2005: 1,880; 2007: 716
LaDanian Tomlinson 2007: 1,474; 2009: 730
Edge James 2007: 1,222; 2009: 125

I mean the list goes on and on. Not saying that Portis is going to rush for 500 yards this season, but he has shown signs of slowing down. While I think that Shanny and the new competion should breathe fresh air into him, until he proves otherwise, calling him a question mark is completely founded...



Which brings me to the broader issue of this thread (In the context of rankings): as others have tried to tell the tin-foil hatted: THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY.

There is reason to be concerned by Portis. There is reason to doubt our running backs. There is reason to question our team. Two 10-win seasons in 18 years does not give you the benefit of the doubt, or change perceptions. Regardless of what we here think or know, the average NFL writer sees a team that has to have a lot go right to get back to just .500. There's been a lot of change, hopefully for the better, but to an outside observer, you aren't going to find many people who'd bet their life on this team.

At this point we don't deserve any praise. Not based on our history, irregardless of who our QB, coach, etc. is today. Please tell me when we earned this type of respect from the media. Was it when we finished last in the NFCE for the 3rd time in the past 4 seasons? If the only way you can feel better is to somehow blame the media for holding us down or not giving us credit...how about you look it the mirror, and look at a franchise that hasn't done squat in almost two decades. Until we prove this evil media empire wrong, they have every right to bag on a team that has become an also-ran in their own division for a decade. Talk is cheap. There are going to be plenty of positive pieces written, and plenty of rankings where we feel slighted. None of it matters a good goddamn at the end of the day. We need to go out a prove people wrong - then and only then can you whine about some media bias. Until then, this thread is just like all those rankings - white noise.

I wish people would stop caring about what Joe Buttwipe for Donkey Dump Sports thinks about the Skins in his pre-pre-pre-pre season power poll, or where Authur Fiddlefaddle of NFL Moanpuppy ranked our secondary 3rd in the NFC East. Get over it.

[stoney26]

The Redskins have either sucked or been mediocre for almost 20 years. There is no bias. We have just sucked.

[SWFLSkins]

I didn't comment in the thread discussing that ranking, but come on, if you are going to attack that article, bringing up the 2008 rushing chart is just terrible.

Which brings me to the broader issue of this thread (In the context of rankings): as others have tried to tell the tin-foil hatted: THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY.

I wish people would stop caring about what Joe Buttwipe for Donkey Dump Sports thinks about the Skins in his pre-pre-pre-pre season power poll, or where Authur Fiddlefaddle of NFL Moanpuppy ranked our secondary 3rd in the NFC East. Get over it.

Never said there was a conspiracy, just trying to keep the record straight.

He said Portis was not good since 06-07 and that is clearly not true and was easily researched. BTW, I am not the one collecting a paycheck to write or check for facts. IF I just stuck a piece of wood on a wall and called it finished cabinetry and tried to collect a check for it, would you write the check? It is quite simple, it is doing your job.

I don't disagree with some of the football comments you made, they were well thought out and generally insighful. I do however have more faith in the Shannahans and the run game under them. It is okay to disagree. The team has done nothing to earn any confidence at this point other than bring in people with reputations, and we know how that worked out before. This time just feels different with the comments from the players and not the hype from the media.

And if this bothers you so, don't comment, just shrug your shoulders, roll your eyes and look in the mirror and think how great you are. Not every thread is for you.

[The Tris]

I do however have more faith in the Shannahans and the run game under them. It is okay to disagree. The team has done nothing to earn any confidence at this point other than bring in people with reputations, and we know how that worked out before. This time just feels different with the comments from the players and not the hype from the media.

If you check my posting history, I have more than enough confidence in our running game as well as the offense as a whole. I believe that the upgrade in coaching can not be mentioned enough, and one need only to look at his arrival and Denver and see how going from Wade Phillips to Shanahan transformed that offense. And as much as it pains me to give the human blueberry any credit, he is much better of a coach than Jim Zorn. I expect a huge upgrade in our competitiveness.

That being said, the 1995 Broncos only went 8-8, so I am also aware that while we should be much more competitive, .500 is a reasonable goal this season from a fan's point of view. Yeah, they are different teams, but tempering expectations is not a bad thing. We have miles to go before they stop writing negative pieces about the Redskins.


BTW, I am not the one collecting a paycheck to write or check for facts. IF I just stuck a piece of wood on a wall and called it finished cabinetry and tried to collect a check for it, would you write the check? It is quite simple, it is doing your job.

I don't dispute that several members of the "media" - a term I use loosely for them - responsible for covering our team lack the connections and information to produce interesting material to generate the page views they are required. Thus they take liberties and stray into the realm of gossip and hersay. I also don't begrudge anyone for taking two particular national individuals to task for often printing, how should I put it, drivel. There are certainly people who irresponsibly cover the Redskins, but that does not constitute a mass media bias.

However, what irks me about this thread, is that it becomes a breeding ground for the Redskins inferiority complex that cause people to post every power poll, every positional ranking, every story that fails to mention our team glowingly, however insignificant. When in reality, much of that is justified, and those that are not justified are simply not as intune with our team as we are. I just wish that is wasn't always thread worthy to complain about some blogger in California who doesn't give us the proper respect. It makes a lot of Redskins fans come off whiney and entitled (not saying you are, but some people on here sound that way sometimes).


And if this bothers you so, don't comment, just shrug your shoulders, roll your eyes and look in the mirror and think how great you are. Not every thread is for you.

I guess so. I am not in the least bit saying how great I am, I'm just lamenting the fact that its sad that we no longer carry the benefit of the doubt with the national media, nor are we a team that has earn much respect the past two decades. If that makes me as arrogant as you portray me, so be it.

[SWFLSkins]

If you check my posting history, I guess so.

I am not in the least bit saying how great I am, I'm just lamenting the fact that its sad that we no longer carry the benefit of the doubt with the national media, nor are we a team that has earn much respect the past two decades. If that makes me as arrogant as you portray me, so be it.

Well after reading that, I would say how great you are. That is as well stated as any post I have ever read on these boards, and there have been some good posts-(hard to believe at times I know). You sir are a great contributor and I certainly meant no discourse only wanted to show you the door if you chose fit yourself. So, my apologies.

I can't find much in your post to dispute other than the fact that this threads intention was to offer a civil place to track and reflect on mistruths concerning the Redskins. The thread was hi-jacked early on by the Media is out to get us crew. Half heartedly that was a second intention in of itself. Consider the timing of the thread, off season, Jason Reid/JLC runaway articles on Haynesworth for weeks and poster here just flipping out over each and every one of them.


My intention is to shed light on mistruths about the Redskins by the media or to expose personal agendas and track those for nostalgia. I will continue to post thread links and news links in this thread as long as I am alive. I will only stop posting on this board when unable.

I appreciate you candor and certainly agree with many of your points of view.

[The Tris]

Shoot, everyone loves a happy ending.:cheers:

I have no problem when the Trio of Trite act up that you call them out. The very fact that they do probably justify their own thread is proof enough of their concept of journalism. I'm just glad to see that's your aim. Otherwise it'd be quite a tough task to record every article that lacks the vision that we fans have of the future. You might very well go insane! We just have to remember there is a thin line between laziness and ignorance.

[Mahons21]

Bump for irony.