Ron Fournier & Conservative Media Bias: Say it Ain't So
Ron Fournier, the Associated Press’ D.C. bureau chief, has been causing quite a stir for seemingly behaving as a Republican operative disguised as an objective newsman. If he’s not writing fawning letters to Karl Rove, he’s using the power of his post to light up Democratic candidates, like in this piece titled “Obama Walks Arrogance Line.”
Best shot: “Obama and his wife, Michelle, ooze a sense of entitlement.”
It’s not particularly surprising. In the age of squawking cable hosts and the dueling propaganda arms of Fox and MSNBC, you, dear reader, have come to expect tainted news. Whether you’re reading the lefty ramblings of that damned Jeff Woods, or listening to the conspiratorial adventures of Phil Valentine, having a take is part of the game.
But you don’t expect it from the Associated Press, which is to news what beige is to the color spectrum. The agency’s always been known as the dullest outlet on the block. Think of the guy next door who meticulously mows his lawn in black socks, still plays air guitar to Boston, and laughs out loud while watching Full House. He’s probably an AP bureau chief.
Which is leaving the Obama campaign a bit stunned. It’s one thing to take a nightly beating from the likes of Hannity and O’Reilly. It’s quite another to get slapped around by a guy whose dream date is dinner at CiCi’s followed by a night of karaoke.
So over the weekend, the lefties began to fire back with what’s known as an Astroturf campaign. Suddenly, my email box began filling with letters concerning the nefarious activities of Ron Fournier. It’s as if everyone in Tennessee simultaneously came to the same conclusion on a Sunday night: “Man, that Ron Fournier sucks!”
Here’s one from Steven in Franklin:
The AP use to be an example of good journalism. Now with Fornier's loaded language and commentary passed off as news, it has hit an all time low--joining Fox in their den of deceit. Still, it's good stuff to show students as something that tries to pass as journalism but is nothing more than manipulation. Surely the Nashville Scene can do better.
Here’s another from Art Webb of Nashville:
Even though I don't support Democrats in 2008, even as a 22 year old male who's family is strongly left-winged, I am appalled by the Obama-Biden smears that Associated Press D.C. Bureau Chief Ron Fournier complacently allowed to be distributed across the country last Saturday. I locally supported and campaigned for the Republican Party in February (2008), but even still, this isn't the way news should be addressed. It's inappropriately presented and should be frowned upon. Please stand up to the AP and let Ron Fournier know that his anti-Democratic bias isn't accepted on either side of the fence.
Can’t we all just get along? Or at least go back to arguing about tire gauges?
