Cable news dismissed and ridiculed inauguration protesters

[quaoar]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200501210007

During January 20 inauguration coverage, hosts and commentators on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News ridiculed inauguration protesters; downplayed their numbers and significance; and implied that they posed a security threat.

CNN host Wolf Blitzer seemed to ignore fellow host Judy Woodruff's point that parade watchers generally had to pay for seats (and therefore likely supported President Bush), asserting that in contrast with the protesters -- whom he called "angry, angry people" -- "there are a lot more people who have gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue who love this president."

Later, Blitzer again downplayed the protesters' significance: "And we don't want to make too much of the protesters, because we don't know how many there were. Certainly, the nature of this business, the nature of television, we could over-exaggerate based on the images, and they might just be a tiny, tiny overall number." A January 21 New York Times article rebutted Blitzer's assessment, noting that the number of protesters in the protest-designated space alone was in the "thousands," and that there were also protesters interspersed with Bush supporters throughout the parade route: "The numbers of protesters along Pennsylvania Avenue might have been greater, but the swarm of people trying to pass through security checkpoints made it hard to reach the parade route quickly."

As the Bushes' limousine passed the designated protester area, CNN guest and Harvard University historian Barbara Kellerman remarked: "I doubt very much they are taking the protesters very seriously at this point. I think they are celebrating the moment. And I must say, who can blame them?"

< snip >

[noamnety]

1. I am surprised

I would have thought the MSM would have been able to photoshop them out.

[skylarmae]

2. good ole 'blitzer the blow' again, eh?

[jdots]

3. Who would name thier kid Wolf ?

Mr. Blister I know it's really hard for you to understand why anyone would do something without being paid for it.Lots of decent people care enough about this country and the world to give thier time and hearts to maintain democracy .You will never know about justice and equality because you are a souless empty fool.Please hire more body guards and put up more security cameras around your little gated estate,you are a prisoner of your selfish petty greed.