ATM Press Release - September 30, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2002

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Wright (703) 683-5004, ext. 132

The Weekly Worst From Operation ATM (Audit The Media):

Networks Champion California's
New Tax for Paid Family Leave

ALEXANDRIA, Va. --- Media Research Center President Brent Bozell today blasted network anchors and reporters for championing California’s new tax for paid family leave, the first law of its kind in the nation and going beyond even the federal government’s unpaid family leave law.

“Liberal anchors and reporters could barely contain their excitement as they pushed Gov. Gray Davis’s liberal spin on this story last week. There was virtually no coverage of how destructive these policies are to keeping and creating new jobs, or to the employers who create those jobs. The media’s view of economics is: the government knows best, even if it destroys your business,” Bozell said.

Lowlights From Last Week’s Coverage

ABC’s Elizabeth Vargas: “A landmark law for families.” (ABC World News Tonight, Sept 23)
CBS’s Sandra Hughes: “It will be the first of its kind nationwide, but California’s paid family leave law comes too late for Jeff and Patricia Norvet.” (CBS Evening News, Sept. 23)
NBC’s Dan Lothian: “Just the latest policy made in California and bought nationwide....ground-breaking changes leading the way.” (NBC Nightly News, Sept. 24)
MSNBC’s Ashleigh Banfield: “Great news in California! If you’re a brand new mom or dad, you can take some time off with your brand new born and you’re gonna still be getting paid for it.” (On Location with Ashleigh Banfield, Sept. 24)

More information:

For more on MRC's Operation Audit The Media, and the newest Special Report on the networks' economic coverage, go to www.mediaresearch.org. To schedule an interview with Mr. Bozell contact Katie Wright at
(703)-683-5004, ext. 132.