Haaretz
Which story is fake news?
They say figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.
Journalism
The Inquirer gets (another) F in objectivity
This won’t surprise some of you, because in the past I have mentioned the Inquirer’s Cyclops coverage of selected topics. By Cyclops, I mean only one eye is open. This past Sunday, the paper had a Page One story headlined: “Trump’s threat has migrants, advocates on edge.
Journalism
On the mound, Bash throws many hardballs
For many Americans, what Vice President Kamala Harris said on CNN Thursday night was less interesting than what she was asked by CNN anchor Dana Bash. Even before the interview aired, many MAGA heads were all over social media squawking that because CNN taped it, the network “would be editing
Journalism
Will Dana get Bashed tonight?
I’ve been a professional journalist for more than 60 years, I’ve covered all kinds of stories and interviewed all kinds of people. There is no subject I am afraid to tackle, but if I were Dana Bash, I’d be feeling a butterfly belly, and a puckered sphincter
Journalism
Washington Post caught in its own mousetrap
This is an example of the press putting its thumb on the scale. This photo shows a Washington Post story as carried in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The story is what’s called a sidebar, or an auxiliary story that supports the main story, which was Donald J. Trump’s campaign
Journalism
Will Bunch accidentally shows his true colors
I rarely quickly return to a subject unless it is really warranted, and with Will Bunch it is. I had my say less than two weeks ago, but I had to return for a smaller bite today. As many of you know, Bunch is the resident Chicken Little of the
Journalism
Will finds not a bunch of things to like about America
I had two guilty pleasures when I was still a columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer Daily News. One was reading Christine Flowers’ weekly column. The other was looking at Will Bunch’s column. Note I said “looking at,” not reading. The “why” is simple. Dogs eat vomit. I don’t.
Journalism
Why MSNBC inmates forced boss to drop GOP’s McDaniel
Some have described it as the inmates taking over the asylum, and since MSNBC hosts had the pole position in the uprising, that’s understandable. But their loud objections caused their boss — remarkably — to do a 180-degree turn, and rescind his hiring of ousted Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel
Culture
A super defense of Taylor Swift
I have been very fortunate in the occupation I selected. I knew I would never get rich, but I never imagined it would bring a boy from the tenements of the South Bronx into contact with the rich, powerful, and famous. It’s not what I wanted when I first
Journalism
Don’t bet on a sure thing in sports
“Don’t pinch yourself. You’re not dreaming. “This Phillies team is that good. They lead an overmatched Diamondbacks team, 2-0, and they’re two wins away from a second straight pennant. They match up well against both the Rangers and Astros. Dream big.” — Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, 10/19/
Journalism
I am not a “Jewish journalist”
I have been an American journalist for 64 years. I am Jewish by birth, and proud of my heritage, but I never wanted to be known as a “Jewish journalist.” Once I became a columnist at the Philadelphia Daily News, and was free to choose my subjects, I avoided writing
Journalism
Cherelle gets caught managing the press
Sorry, Cherelle, “pissed and angry” won’t cut it. Democratic mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker has a mess. (Photo: The Daily Pennsylvanian) That was what Democratic mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker said when the Inquirer revealed emails from her campaign staffers that belittled and were dismissive of reporters. Her staffers made an