Media On Talk Radio And Wildfires, Glenn Beck, Randi Rhodes, Mike Malloy

SELECTIVE OUTRAGE

MSM Makes Stink Over Beck, Ignores Rhodes, Malloy







In the latest example of selective outrage from the left and their mainstream media allies, one- sided coverage of wildfire- related talk radio content is in full view today.

While your Radio Equalizer, Hot Air and a number of other conservative sites covered controversies involving liberals Mike Malloy and Randi Rhodes as well as right- leaning Glenn Beck, lefty bloggers and mainstream publications have focused all of their attention on the CNN-HN host.

Sure, that's what we should expect from lefty blogs, but what about major newspapers? From the Los Angeles Times, here's but one example:

Talk radio host links fire victims to those who 'hate America'

Glenn Beck's comments draw a rebuke from one media watchdog group, whose spokesman calls them 'heartless.'

By Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
11:07 AM PDT, October 24, 2007

With more than 1,100 homes destroyed, two deaths reported and more than a quarter-million people ordered to evacuate, the wildfires ravaging Southern California have been as indiscriminate as they have been devastating.

But the images of charred residences, grieving homeowners and valiant firefighters apparently were not enough to move conservative talk radio host Glenn Beck, who told his listeners on his nationally syndicated show Monday that those suffering losses "hate America."

"I think there is a handful of people who hate America," Beck said. "Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today."

Beck then tried to backtrack, saying he didn't think those who hated the country were Democrats. "I think there are those posing as Democrats that are like that," he said.

On Tuesday, Beck said his comments were misinterpreted by "a few liberal bloggers."

"The wildfires in California are a tragedy," he said during his radio program. "I don't want anyone to lose their home. I don't care what their political stripes are. I don't want a soul to lose their home, and anyone who doesn't want to make me into an evil supervillain would understand that."

"Those who don't listen to the show … , let me give you a little piece of advice," Beck added. "You have to engage what I would like to call your brain. You actually have to think: I might be making a joke; I might be serious."

Beck's original remark came as he criticized Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for urging GOP presidential candidates to capture the political center in the 2008 election by focusing on healthcare reform and education.

Just before Beck's comments on the fire, he said, "We're all one America" and "just because I disagree with you doesn't mean you hate America, and I love America."

In response, your Radio Equalizer sent the LAT's Blankstein this note:

Andrew:

While it is true that Glenn Beck's comments on the wildfires are disturbing, he's hardly the only talk host tripping up over this issue.

In addition, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy, both heard on KLSD in San Diego and across the country in syndication, have attempted to blame both Blackwater (Rhodes) and the Bush family (Malloy) for actually starting the fires.

Audio clips are available here:

http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2007/10/libtalkers-on-wildfire-causes-randi.html

Thanks, Brian

Here's Blankstein's reply:


[crickets]


That's right, even though we have audio of Malloy and Rhodes uttering comments there were equally, if not more inflammatory than Beck's, the mainstream media has no interest. There was no response from Blankstein.


Even more telling, Google News searches reveal a near- total lack of coverage of the Rhodes and Malloy incidents, while Beck's unfortunate comment receives a great deal of attention.

Radio industry trade publications have taken the same route, acting as though only Beck put his foot in his mouth. From Radio & Records:

Glenn Beck is drawing criticism for comments on his Premiere-syndicated radio show on Monday (Oct. 22) about victims of the fires in California. Media watchdog group Media Matters is asking Beck to apologize and also wants CNN to distance itself from the comments; Beck hosts a daily show on CNN.

On his Monday radio show Beck said, "I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today."

The release from Media Matters goes on to point out the irony of Beck saying this immediately after he said, "We're all one America" and "Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean you hate America and I love America. We all love America. We just disagree on how we should function."

We weren't afraid to take Beck to task along with Rhodes and Malloy. Why can't the left exhibit the same honesty?


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