This was a rare speech on the most important challenge facing the nation. But the media treated the speech as just another in an endless line of partisan gaffes instead of what it was – a statement by the president of the United States that America must choose between democracy and authoritarianism. The major networks did not broadcast the speech. Media coverage of Friday’s speech was simply a he-said/she-said reaction. The New York Times quoted Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy as claiming that Democrats are “dismantling America’s democracy.” The Times failed to point out that McCarthy’s claim is a lie. Nor did he mention that McCarthy himself was one of 139 House Republicans who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election even after the attack on Capitol Hill. The same Times article quoted Rona McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, as calling Biden “the divisive leader” and accused him of displaying “disgust and hostility toward half the country.” But there was no mention of McDaniel’s role in promoting Trump’s “big lie.” The Times cited a more general Republican objection to Biden’s speech — that he “maligned the 74 million people” who voted for Trump in 2020. But the Times did not say that Trump illegally refused to concede the election. It is dangerous to think that “balanced journalism” gives equal weight to liars and truth-tellers, to those who intend to destroy democracy and to those who seek to protect it, to those responsible for an ongoing coup attempt and to those who try to prevent it. Two Sundays ago, CNN’s Brian Stelter, host of Reliable Sources, put it well: “It is not partisan to defend decency, democracy and dialogue. It is not partisan to stand up to demagogues. Required. It’s patriotic. We have to make sure we don’t give platforms to those who lie to us.” Not coincidentally, this was Stelter’s last CNN show. On Friday, CNN White House correspondent John Harwood said: “The main point [Biden] is true. Now, this is something that is not easy for us, as journalists, to say. We have been brought up to believe that there are two different political parties with different views and we do not take sides in honest disagreements between them. But that’s not what we’re talking about. These are not honest disagreements. The Republican party is currently run by a dishonest demagogue.” Harwood went on to say: “Many, many Republicans are rallying behind his lies about the 2020 election and other things as well. And a significant part – or a capable part – of the constituency they lead stormed the Capitol on January 6. Violence”. Shortly after these remarks, Harwood announced that he was no longer with CNN. A source told Press Watch’s Dan Froomkin that CNN had informed Harwood last month that he was being let go. This was despite his long-term contract with the network. The source also said Harwood had used his latest show to “send a message”. Why do we have to wait until some of America’s most capable journalists are fired before they are willing and able to tell America the truth? It is not “partisan” to explain what Trump and his anti-democratic movement are up to. It is not “taking sides” to point out that the Trump Republicans are trying to establish an authoritarian government in America. It is not a “breach of journalistic standards” to tell the uncertain truth about what America is facing today. In fact, failing to call out Trump Republicans for what they are – liars, aides and abettors of constitutional crimes – violates the most basic rules of journalistic ethics. “Balanced journalism” does not exist halfway between facts and lies.
