Anatomy of a fake news story on Chula Vista sales tax
Often it’s pointed out that the MSM has a liberal bias. It’s true, but many in the MSM simply can’t recognize their own bias. They HONESTLY believe that they are doing a good job as journalists, and take umbrage if anyone suggests otherwise.
Below is a typical — indeed quintessential — example of this bias — a bias that is liberal. But it’s also a biased article for additional reasons that most people don’t understand — I’ll discuss below. The reporter and their editors will be offended and yet puzzled why I would see bias in this pro-tax article. Let me help.
First, the article (see below). To summarize, it’s a 15 paragraph SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE story that could have been (and maybe WAS) essentially written by the city of Chula Vista’s PR flack. It’s probably a regurgitated press release, an ode touting the need for a higher sales tax. The reporter dutifully reported what the city wanted him to say — quoting the proponents extensively.
There is… Read More