Network Reporters Attack Moderate Speakers as Part of GOP Convention “Con Game” - Press Release - August 31, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2004

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Wright or Tim Scheiderer at
(703) 683-5004 ext. 132

Network Reporters Attack Moderate Speakers
as Part of GOP Convention “Con Game”

But Did Not Try to Undermine the Democrats’ Message in Boston

ALEXANDRIA, Va. --- Media Research Center President Brent Bozell today blasted the networks for a double-standard in their convention coverage. Both CBS and NBC have pushed the idea that Republicans are engaging in a fraud by featuring speakers such as Rudy Giuliani, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John McCain, but the networks did not similarly question the ability of Democratic speakers to authentically represent their party.

Last night on the CBS Evening News, Dan Rather presented the convention as a phony show: “The Republican Convention opens in New York to re-nominate George W. Bush and showcase the party’s, quote, ‘moderate side.’ Will voters buy it?”

On Sunday’s NBC Nightly News, Tom Brokaw charged that the Republicans’ decision to feature “middle of the road” speakers, in contrast to the party’s “hard right” positions, was “the political equivalent of a popular con game in this tough town, three-card monty. That’s a game in which the dealer almost always wins.”

“The networks can’t claim to be fair and balanced while they acted like publicists in Boston and now play debunkers in New York,” said MRC President Brent Bozell. “Reporters did not snicker when the Democrats trotted out a handful of generals and admirals, and the networks did not call it a ‘con game’ when the Democrats showcased John Kerry as tough on national security when he’s voted against crucial weapons systems and to cut the money for our nation’s intelligence agencies.”

To schedule an interview with Brent Bozell or another MRC spokesperson please contact Katie Wright (ext. 132) or Tim Scheiderer (ext. 126) a 703.683.5004 ext. 132.