CNET gets spanked for minimizing Dr. Paul's support at mtv forum

Posted February 3rd, 2008 by Eyes Wide Open

I wrote to the staff writer, Caroline McCarthy and her boss Jai Singh, senior vice president, editor in chief of CNET.

here is the article, and my response, enjoy.

http://www.news.com/8301-...

Dear Miss McCarthy,

I am not sure why you decided to minimize the actual support for Ron Paul in times square as and I quote "Outside, a huge crowd has amassed outside MTV Studios, primarily student groups in support of Obama, though a number of Clinton supporters were also present as well as one guy with a Paul sign". Were you actually there? I mean, I watched the debate with my own eyes and if you review this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2eJ6WitVGw and fast forward to the 40 second mark you would see what I and millions of others who watched it had seen which is hundreds of people waving Ron Paul signs. Interesting isn't it?
Now maybe it was merely an oversight on your part and I am more than happy to give you the benefit of the doubt. But on the other hand if it was indeed your intent to minimize the support in times square of Dr. Ron Paul because of your personal feelings for another candidate then I believe it would be incumbent upon you to allow your readers to know that your piece is not real unbias journalism, but in fact a promotion piece for your particular candidate of choice. This way here you would be able to salvage your credibility as a journalist and that of the magazine that employs you. After all, according to CNET's News editorial staff page you are listed as a staff writer and not and independent blogger who's written opinions represent that of your employer correct? So when you purposely mislead people who were not actually there, this would represent behavior that is not in keeping with the traditions of what could be considered honest journalism, is that a fair statement?
After all, the freedom of the press is one of Americas most treasured rights protected by our Constitution and to be guilty of besmirching this right with purposefully misleading intent would be less than truthful and place that person's integrity in question would it not?

In closing I would appreciate it if you could clear this misunderstanding up with your readers and allow them the opportunity to know that Dr. Paul had a much larger contingent than "one guy holding a paul sign". If I had read your piece and not seen with my own eyes and therefore provided you with video to view with your own eyes a much larger and broader spectrum of support for Dr. Ron Paul I would have come away with the feeling that Ron Paul doesn't have very much support while Obama or Clinton does. Which I think we can both agree that this was just not the case.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and look forward to reading your next article and possible clarification on the level of support garnered by all the candidates and lack there of as well for the remaining so-called front runners (Mitt Romney, John McCain, Mike Huckabee). As this would give your readers a more truthful representation of the evenings activities and level of support for all the candidates currently in the race for our vote to the highest publicly held office in the country.

Warmest Regards,
Stephen Dupont
New Bedford, Massachusetts
508-275-3084

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What is the definition of...

On February 9th, 2008 GenghisKhan says:

A banking oligarchy rules the puppet candidates and puppet media?

"Walls are stronger than the men that defend them."

Ghegis Khan

My Email Exchange With Caroline From CNET...

On February 4th, 2008 Ragnar Danneskjold says:

..Regarding her use of the term apologist to describe Ron Paul supporters:

Ms. McCarthy,

It was with the utmost pleasure that I saw you correct the misinformation about only one Ron Paul SUPPORTER being on-hand in Times Square for the MTV Presidential Candidate Forum.

I just would like to point out, however, that you again took part in the disinformation campaign against Ron Paul by referring to his supporters as "apologists."

Could you please tell me what YOUR definition of "apologist" is??? Could you also tell what your definition of a "supporter" is??

This would clear up a whole lot for your readers to show that you are truly a non-biased "journalist" and help repair the credibility of CNET in the process.

For your reference, I have included your "update" below:

(UPDATE: A number of passionate Ron Paul apologists have let me know that there were ultimately many more people who showed up to voice their support for the Texas congressman, which video of the event has confirmed to me after the fact. There was only one when I got there, and since we were inside, we couldn't see the crowds grow outside.)

If you could get back to me as soon as possible, I would greatly appreciate it. You can either email me back at this address, or you can call me at (248) 330-9646.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Take care,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Her reply:

Hi,

From thesaurus.reference.com, here's the definition of "apologist" that I adhere to:

apologist (noun)

Definition: person who helps another
Synonyms: adherent, advocate, ally, angel*, apologist, backbone, backer, benefactor, champion, cohort, comforter, confederate, coworker, defender, disciple, endorser, espouser, exponent, expounder, fan, follower, friend, helper, mainstay, maintainer, partisan, patron, pillar, preserver, prop, proponent, satellite*, second, sponsor, stalwart, stay, subscriber, supporter, sustainer, tower of strength*, upholder, well-wisher*
Antonyms: enemy, foe

I do know that "apologist" typically refers to a proponent of something controversial, which I believe would encompass any political figure including Congressman Paul. Sorry if you're trying to seek out misinformation campaigns; I'm not trying to wage one. Not worth the time!

Thanks,
Caroline
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My reply to her:

Hello Caroline,

Thanks for the reply. I truly do appreciate it.

Let me ask you one quick question though. Would you ever refer to supporters of Obama, Clinton, Romney, or McCain as apologists rather than supporters?? No need to answer that question as it was purely rhetorical.

The word apologist has a negative connotation associated with it. I'm sure you know that.

Therefore, in using the word "apologist" you are either making a serious mistake, or deliberately trying to mold the frame of reference of your readers minds to view Ron Paul and his supporters in a negative light.

Either way it was wrong.

Again, thanks for replying

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD!
Ragnar Danneskjold

affirmation: President Paul

On February 4th, 2008 jhalsey says:

affirmation: President Paul 2008
Jeez, I just tried calling the toll-free radio station.
No one is picking up...........

CNET, you SUCK!

On February 4th, 2008 none says:

Wow...I read your post, the article, and her response.

I'm done wasting time being polite. What a condescending bitch!

Apologist?

On February 4th, 2008 MindStalker says:

Arg, Ok, my blood has been boiling about this line for an hour now! I'm now going to donate again to the official campaign.. MMM, I feel better.. :)

Miss McCarthy Responds....

On February 4th, 2008 savannahcat says:

I emailed Miss McCarthy as well yesterday and got an almost immediate reply.....see below. Not only are we apologists, but we are part of the "rudeness and sensationalism that permeates grassroots campaigns"! Her reply to my email is below:

"No misleading was intended. Quite a few people have alerted me to the fact that more Ron Paul supporters eventually showed up; I have seen video footage now and have made a note in the post to say that the crowds did, in fact, grow after that. Those of us in the studio were told to arrive half an hour in advance and we were not able to see the crowds outside, so what I reported on was what was there at the time and what I had access to.

It was not a "blatant lie" and I'd appreciate you not making accusations like that. I admire the fact that Congressman Paul has such loyal supporters and I think the story of his online rise is incredible, but I'm no fan of the rudeness and sensationalism that unfortunately permeates just about every grassroots political movement. And I'm not creative enough to write fairy tales for a living, but thanks for the suggestion."

PHONE CALLS NEEDED (TOLL FREE)

On February 4th, 2008 karima says:

from Massachusetts

AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE THIS MORNING ON SPRINGFIELD RADIO STATION 97.9 THAT UNENROLLED VOTERS COULD NOT VOTE IN TOMORROWS PRIMARY. THEY ALSO SAID THERE ARE ONLY 3 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES LEFT ON THE BALLOT. I SPOKE WITH THEM ON THE PHONE AND WAS TOLD THE MISTAKE WOULD BE RETRACTED BUT NOT UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING. TOO LATE PLEASE CALL 1-800-345-9759 AND URGE THEM TO DO IT IMMEDIATLY. FORWARD TO EVERYONE PLEASE

Is this CNET author connected with CNET software downloads?

On February 4th, 2008 countryboypride77 says:

----------------------------------------------------------------
"We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln

STEPHEN -- It's A Wonderful Letter

On February 4th, 2008 JerryB9105 says:

Vote RON PAUL 2008

Apologist?

On February 4th, 2008 MindStalker says:

Technically the dictionary term is
noun
a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution; "an apologist for capital punishment"

BUT.. Ehh. Its always used negatively in the common vernacular nowadays.

Holy crap!!!

On February 4th, 2008 Eyes Wide Open says:

I have to go check out the article now. lol
I just logged on to see this announcement that she changes the article.

Success!

On February 3rd, 2008 kodiakalpha says:

Your efforts worked. This has been added to the article:

"(UPDATE: A number of passionate Ron Paul apologists have let me know that there were ultimately many more people who showed up to voice their support for the Texas congressman, which video of the event has confirmed to me after the fact. There was only one when I got there, and since we were inside, we couldn't see the crowds grow outside.)
"

Good work!

Ron Paul Apologists?

On February 4th, 2008 MindStalker says:

WTF? we are Ron Paul apologist??

WELL DONE, PEOPLE

On February 3rd, 2008 oldhickory says:

Check the link to the article, and it has already been updated... Your efforts have paid off, again. Thank you.

"Outside, a huge crowd has amassed outside MTV Studios, primarily student groups in support of Obama, though a number of Clinton supporters were also present as well as one guy with a Paul sign. (UPDATE: A number of passionate Ron Paul apologists have let me know that there were ultimately many more people who showed up to voice their support for the Texas congressman, which video of the event has confirmed to me after the fact. There was only one when I got there, and since we were inside, we couldn't see the crowds grow outside.)"

--------------------------
"I killed the banks"

WTF? Ron Paul "apologists?" What's that supposed to mean?

On February 3rd, 2008 12345678 says:

Go President Paul!

’In accordance with the principles of double-think it does not matter if the war is not real. For when it is, victory is not possible. The war is not meant to be won, but it is meant to be continuous.’ (George Orwell, 1984)

Yeah

On February 4th, 2008 Kemp says:

WTF is that?

It's a put down. The author

On February 4th, 2008 Lafayette says:

It's a put down. The author is impugning the integrity of Ron Paul supporters as a way of excusing her own sloppy journalism. "Apologists" is a dismissive label that is used to minimize the credibility of the group to which it is assigned.

Let her boss, Mr. Singh, know that Caroline McCarthy overt prejudice reduces their reputation as a news organization. You might also note that the author's surly remark made in her correction demonstrates a lack of professionalism and sophistication.

You may also wish to circulate your complaint more widely in CNET to other editors.

war on for your mind....

On February 4th, 2008 JKap says:

Even as a correction, she had to get a dig in at ordinary Americans exercising their political free speech in support of Ron Paul (aka, "lunatic fringe"). Check your Josef Goebbels playbook people--marginalize your political adversaries at every opportunity.

"We don't have to start a brand new revolution...All we have to do is restore the original Constitution." -Ron Paul