John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron Paul

[Admiral Shran]

As a major Ron Paul supporter, I think this is awesome. I might not agree with Stewart on everything, but he did an amazing job here. Well done, sir. Well done.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/m...corn-polled-edition---ron-paul---the-top-tier

Edit to Add - I would just post the video, instead of the link, but I only know how to do that with YouTube videos. Sorry.

 

[Snaploud]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Yeah, that was a good one. Jon Stewart is at his best when slamming the cable news networks.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Edit to Add - I would just post the video, instead of the link, but I only know how to do that with YouTube videos. Sorry.

You can only do that with YouTube videos anyway.

I'm no fan of Ron Paul, but it is pretty funny to watch the networks pretend he's a non-entity at these things. And by funny I mean a complete failure in their duty to report the news without an agenda.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

It's a straw poll. They're about as definitive as a Kid Rock jazz album.

I've lost a lot of respect for Stewart lately. He seems to being going after the news networks merely for the sake of it and not because he actually has something substantive to say.

Anyone who thinks Paul has a chance in hell at making any waves in the Pub field needs a serious reality check. The news people aren't reporting on him because he's not newsworthy.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

It's a straw poll. They're about as definitive as a Kid Rock jazz album.

I've lost a lot of respect for Stewart lately. He seems to being going after the news networks merely for the sake of it and not because he actually has something substantive to say.

Anyone who thinks Paul has a chance in hell at making any waves in the Pub field needs a serious reality check. The news people aren't reporting on him because he's not newsworthy.

The straw poll's lack of definitiveness in picking the final nominee is one more reason why it shouldn't be a big deal to mention how all the top vote-getters did, even if they aren't part of the media's chosen few finalists.

I don't think Paul has a snowball's chance in Hell either, but reporting shouldn't work that way. Maybe if they gave him the time of day he might do a little better when it comes to later polls and votes that actually matter. Isn't it better for the people to decide which candidates matter rather than the media by whom they deign to cover? If they're going to cover the Iowa straw poll and treat it as significant, than they should report the facts as is and let the people decide for themselves whether it's something they care about or not.

I don't see anything different in what Stewart's done lately than how he's always covered the media.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Yeah, I don't think Paul will win either, but it's the duty of newsmen to report the news. Ron Paul finishing second means he finished second. That's the news. Pundits discounting him isn't news, that's opinion. Seriously, they were acting like they were embarrassed to mention his name.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Except several members of all channels did. Not much, but they did--gave him about as much coverage as he deserved.

Which is where my problem with Stewart lies. He's been on this crusade against all the news channels. But in doing so, he groups all the reporters together as if they're equally as bad, which is not only false but also somewhat hypocritical.

 

[Broccoli]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

I've lost a lot of respect for Stewart lately. He seems to being going after the news networks merely for the sake of it and not because he actually has something substantive to say.

Which is where my problem with Stewart lies. He's been on this crusade against all the news channels. But in doing so, he groups all the reporters together as if they're equally as bad, which is not only false but also somewhat hypocritical.

I know. He's acting like some sort of TV talk show comedian.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

I've lost a lot of respect for Stewart lately. He seems to being going after the news networks merely for the sake of it and not because he actually has something substantive to say.

Which is where my problem with Stewart lies. He's been on this crusade against all the news channels. But in doing so, he groups all the reporters together as if they're equally as bad, which is not only false but also somewhat hypocritical.

I know. He's acting like some sort of TV talk show comedian.

At least he has the decency to have the balance of a fine journalist like Stephen Colbert.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

I know. He's acting like some sort of TV talk show comedian.

Except his crusade has extended well beyond his comedy show.

He's been trying to be both and, as seen here, is sometimes represented (justly or otherwise) as a reputable source.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

A comedian and someone expressing an opinion?

 

[Admiral Shran]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

I've often criticized Stewart for taking himself too seriously and people for taking him as a journalist first and comedian second. But, when he's right, he's right.

They are ignoring him. Yes, it's just a straw poll, but if they are going to report on it as serious news, they should discuss Ron Paul since he came in second.

And it's not like this is new. They did the exact same thing in 2008.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Except several members of all channels did. Not much, but they did--gave him about as much coverage as he deserved.

Saying they didn't cover him much even though he came in second place and should reasonably get second place worthy coverage is making a judgment call based on opinion. Saying he got the coverage he deserved is an opinion, not a fact, and therefore ideally shouldn't influence the decision making process of news networks who claim some semblance of impartiality. Which is kind of the whole point.

Which is where my problem with Stewart lies. He's been on this crusade against all the news channels. But in doing so, he groups all the reporters together as if they're equally as bad, which is not only false but also somewhat hypocritical.

Providing examples from media leaning to either side of the political spectrum is not a judgment call on which one is better or worse, it's just saying both sides can be guilty of the same problem. Just because CNN is not as bad as Fox News in terms of impartiality doesn't mean CNN is above criticism though. Nor have I ever heard Stewart say CNN or MSNBC are just as bad, even though he's criticized them as well.

I know. He's acting like some sort of TV talk show comedian.

Except his crusade has extended well beyond his comedy show.

He's been trying to be both and, as seen here, is sometimes represented (justly or otherwise) as a reputable source.

So, comedians are not allowed discuss serious issues in a humorous way? That's been one of the bedrocks of comedy from the start.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

A comedian and someone expressing an opinion?

Yet his opinionated jokes are aimed towards those are are essentially expressing an opinion. I just see a problem in that.

I've often criticized Stewart for taking himself too seriously and people for taking him as a journalist first and comedian second. But, when he's right, he's right.

They are ignoring him. Yes, it's just a straw poll, but if they are going to report on it as serious news, they should discuss Ron Paul since he came in second.

And it's not like this is new. They did the exact same thing in 2008.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending the news channels. I find them (as a whole) despicable and I refuse to watch. But I know each has its share of "okay" anchors and reports. Stewart just treats them all the same, and I think that's unfair.

He used to provide insightful commentary and insight that was buried in the comedy. Now he just comes across as a broken record that's been endlessly skipping over the same spot for nearly two years.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

A comedian and someone expressing an opinion?

Yet his opinionated jokes are aimed towards those are are essentially expressing an opinion. I just see a problem in that.

I've often criticized Stewart for taking himself too seriously and people for taking him as a journalist first and comedian second. But, when he's right, he's right.

They are ignoring him. Yes, it's just a straw poll, but if they are going to report on it as serious news, they should discuss Ron Paul since he came in second.

And it's not like this is new. They did the exact same thing in 2008.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending the news channels. I find them (as a whole) despicable and I refuse to watch. But I know each has its share of "okay" anchors and reports. Stewart just treats them all the same, and I think that's unfair.

He used to provide insightful commentary and insight that was buried in the comedy. Now he just comes across as a broken record that's been endlessly skipping over the same spot for nearly two years.

His job is being a comedian, sorry you don't like his act. If he claimed to be a journalist or that his show was a news show, rather than a satire of the news media, I might agree with you.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Nor have I ever heard Stewart say CNN or MSNBC are just as bad, even though he's criticized them as well.

The video in the OP does just that. All three networks are represented almost equally and without division or disambiguation.

So, comedians are not allowed discuss serious issues in a humorous way?

I never said that. I did imply, however, that is unfair that those that do aren't subject to the same scrutiny to which they infer, which, at least to me, seems to be what Stewart is trying to do.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Stewart just treats them all the same, and I think that's unfair.

You clearly do not actually watch The Daily Show. He goes after all of them, but he is definitely Fox News' "special friend".

I think Stewart deserves the recognition as an actual newsman that he gets. In an era where you pretty much have to make your news into biased entertainment in order to compete, his bias isn't the left or the right, it is The Funny. And The Funny targets people doing stupid things of every political stripe, and the stuff that is funniest is funny because it is true. It may seem that he is biased left, but he isn't, it's just that the right does more that is absolutely ridiculous and fodder for The Funny. As Colbert has pointed out, truth has a strong liberal bias.

 

[CaptainStoner]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

I don't know how anyone watching the show can possibly say there's no insightful commentary, especially when considering the content of the interviews. (ok the interview isn't commentary, but still...) It may only be comedy, but like George Carlin, it's also an island of sanity.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

You clearly do not actually watch The Daily Show.

I'll admit this true. I used to watch the show somewhat religiously but stopped a little over a year ago. There was just something--a vibe--that was leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Sorry I can't elaborate more, but I haven't much else to say.

Besides, my dinner is getting cold.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: John Stewart slams MSNBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN for ignoring Ron P

Nor have I ever heard Stewart say CNN or MSNBC are just as bad, even though he's criticized them as well.

The video in the OP does just that. All three networks are represented almost equally and without division or disambiguation.

Perhaps because they were all guilty of neglect toward Paul this time? BTW, he played FOX reports alongside those of MSNBC and CNN, but then he also included the earlier FOX hosted debate where they treated Paul's words as unimportant despite the positive audience reaction and mentioned how FOX should love this guy. So he did give FOX more attention than the others.

Treating them all as negligent in one story doesn't have anything to do with how he treats them all in general. If you don't think he reserves an extra bit of loathing for FOX News then you haven't been paying attention.

So, comedians are not allowed discuss serious issues in a humorous way?

I never said that. I did imply, however, that is unfair that those that do aren't subject to the same scrutiny to which they infer, which, at least to me, seems to be what Stewart is trying to do.

Actually, you kind of did say that by saying it's wrong for him to straddle the line between being humorous and being informative.

When he makes a mistake on the show he does correct it prominently instead of hiding it out of the way somewhere or not mentioning it at all, so how is he not held to the same level of scrutiny? It's just funny that the networks report on his mistakes as if he should be held to the same standard as dedicated newsmedia.