The Debate's Low Bar for Journalists
Plus, what a moderator got wrong in asking VP Harris a question
News agencies have heaped praise on the moderators of the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Why? Because amid Trump’s onslaught of crazy lies, the moderators offered a few fleeting moments of fact checking. Today, I explain why this is misguided and damaging, and what the media must do to pull through for us as a society.
Plus, one of the hosts said something false in the process of asking Harris a question. I explain how it reversed their roles.
Also, I answer your questions about the media’s refusal to state that Israeli hostages in Gaza, including a U.S. citizen, were “murdered.” I show times the media freely use that word elsewhere — including when a Palestinian man was killed by another Palestinian.
A fantastic website you must visit: #FacesOfIron, using my unique link. Each click to learn amazing stories of Israeli heroes will help support our show. Please share the link too: https://bit.ly/3XcnEvZ (only clicks through this link count).
Some links I mention:
I corrected Trump’s insane, false claim about a former Virginia governor allegedly considering executing a baby in Episode 13, titled “A Law to Ban Politicians Lying.”
USA Today: “Donald Trump had a very low bar for this debate. He was still a disaster.”
A post-debate fact check from CNN
NYT: “Trump Received Millions From Foreign Governments as President, Report Finds”
WaPo: “After helping prince’s rise, Trump and Kushner benefit from Saudi funds”
Remember, you can access most newspapers in full for free by following the steps I explained in a post exclusively for those who choose to support this newsletter:
What you can do
Anytime any news agency lets any falsehoods go uncorrected, look up the email addresses of top executives. Send a note like this, and cc me at josh@joshlevs.com so that the executives see.
As the podcast They Stand Corrected explains, the job of journalism is to provide truth, always. Why did you allow (name of person/organization) to lie in saying (provide example(s)), without correcting them?
Please respond to this message within 48 hours. I’m copying Josh Levs, host of the podcast, who might report on this as an example of systemic failures in media.
Meanwhile, there’s a new way to support the show:
If you’ve ever thought, “You know that guy Josh and his producer, I’d buy them lunch or coffee,” well now, you can! Contribute any amount to the show via PayPal here. Every contribution means so much!
Have things you want me to fact check? Paid subscribers, message me here on post in the comments. Everyone else, here’s a form you can use.
Let’s keep up the good fight for truth and democracy,
JL
