Although this is from a US perspective dealing with our corrupt, morally bankrupt media, most of the stories were taken up by the mainstream Australian media as well, especially anything anti-Trump, such as the Russian collusion story, that somehow Russia threw the 2016 election for Trump.
As with that story, all of the below stories, run by the mainstream media have been debunked, or the media has now changed sides, such as with the origins of the Covid-19 virus. The lab leak hypothesis was a conspiracy when Trump was in office, but is now the leading explanation even by the mainstream. Other stories like the revelations of Biden family corruption revealed by the Hunter Biden laptop, are not denied any more, just ignored.
In a word, the mainstream media is, corrupt.
https://conservativecompass.substack.com/p/vivek-ramaswamy-names-18-times-the
"In the contentious landscape of American politics and public discourse, the role of mainstream media in shaping narratives is often a topic of heated debate. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently highlighted this issue by tweeting a list of 18 instances where he believes the media has misled the public. This op-ed delves into each of these instances, offering a synopsis and a perspective that encourages readers to critically assess the information presented to them.
- 1.Russia Collusion: This refers to allegations of collusion between President Trump's campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. A lengthy investigation led by Robert Mueller found insufficient evidence to charge any Americans, much less Donald Trump, with such collusion.
- 2.2. The Hunter Biden Laptop Story: Initially dismissed by many in the media as disinformation, the story about a laptop containing emails, graphic nude images and drug use, belonging to Joe Biden's son, Hunter, gained credibility over time, raising questions about media quickness to run cover for The Bidens during an election.
- 3.3. Charlottesville: The media's portrayal of Trump's comments following the Charlottesville incident often omitted his condemnation of neo-Nazis and white nationalists, focusing instead on the phrase "very fine people on both sides." Without giving his entire statement in context.
- 4.4. Bubba Wallace: The NASCAR driver was thought to be a target of a racial attack when a noose was found in his garage stall. The FBI determined it was a garage door pull rope and not intended as a hate symbol. Obviously.
- 5.5. Jussie Smollett: The actor claimed to be the victim of a racist and homophobic attack from two white Trump supporters. It was later revealed to be a staged incident by Smollett, raising questions about initial media coverage running with Jussie's claims, without verifying anything.
- 6.6. Covington Catholic Kids: The media initially portrayed these high school students as instigators in a confrontation with a Native American elder. Extended footage later showed that the elder had instigated the confrontation. One of the students was awarded a multimillion dollar settlement because of the untrue coverage.
- 7. Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping Plot: Initially reported as a plot by right-wing extremists, later investigations suggested FBI informants and agents played a major role in its orchestration. Going so far as to offer some of the potential conspirators large sums of money to participate in the plot.
- 8.COVID Lab Leak Theory: Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the possibility that COVID-19 might have originated from a lab leak in Wuhan is now considered the most probable hypothesis by many scientists.
9.Steele Dossier: A document used to allege Trump's collusion with Russia was later discredited for its unverified and contrived content.
- 10. Don't Say Gay" Bill: Media reports often misrepresented Florida's parental rights in education bill as a blanket ban on discussing sexuality in schools. Which was completely fabricated by the media and leftist politicians.
- 11. Migrant "Kids In Cages": The narrative often ignored the complexity of the issue and how it spanned multiple administrations. Having been implemented by the Obama/Biden administration.
- 12. Georgia Election Integrity Law: Described by some media outlets as "the new Jim Crow," this law's actual provisions were often not fully represented, or blatantly misrepresented, in reports.
- 13. Duke Lacrosse Case: The media quickly condemned the accused players in a sexual assault case, who were later exonerated, raising questions about the media's rush to judgment.
- 14. Zelensky as a Paragon of Democracy: The Ukrainian President, while facing Russian aggression, has also been criticized for suppressing opposition media, a fact often overlooked in Western coverage.
- 15. January 6th: Probably the most eggregious example of collusion between politicians and the media. CovvawwNazerage of this event has been contentious, with some arguing that the media has downplayed or exaggerated aspects of it.
- 16. "Peaceful" BLM Riots: While many protests were peaceful, there were instances of intense political violence, murder and looting that were downplayed by the media.
- 17. Ivermectin as a Horse Dewormer: The drug, used as a treatment for COVID-19 by some, was often mocked as merely an animal medication, ignoring its use in humans.
- 18. Trump's Use of Tear Gas for Bible Photo: Reports of Trump ordering the use of tear gas to clear protesters for a photo op were later contested by law enforcement accounts. Showing once again that the media would fabricate their own narrative.
In examining the patterns of reporting in these instances, it becomes increasingly difficult not to conclude that a significant portion of the legacy media is predisposed to finding malevolent right-wing antagonists, even in situations where they may not exist. This tendency raises serious questions about the integrity and objectivity in journalism, echoing concerns about dishonesty among the political elite.
- The motives behind this narrative shaping could be manifold – ranging from ideological biases to the pursuit of sensationalism that drives viewership and clicks. Whatever the reason, this approach not only skews public perception but also undermines the fundamental principles of fair and unbiased reporting. As the electorate becomes more polarized, the need for media outlets to reevaluate their approach and commit to impartial and factual journalism becomes ever more critical.
In conclusion, the significance of Vivek Ramaswamy bringing these stories and patterns to light cannot be overstated. His highlighting of these instances serves as a crucial step in acknowledging and addressing the biases and narrative shaping in the mainstream media. It is a fundamental truth that the first step in solving any problem is recognizing its existence. By shedding light on these issues, we are provided with an opportunity to engage in a more balanced and honest discourse. This is not just about correcting a narrative; it's about restoring faith in journalism and ensuring that the media fulfills its vital role as an unbiased informer of the public. As we move forward, especially in the run-up to the 2024 elections, this kind of awareness and scrutiny is essential for the health of our democratic processes and for the empowerment of the electorate to make informed decisions based on truth, not spin."