Media Matters Daily Summary

Here are today's news items from Media Matters for America, click on the title or 'read more' to read the entirety of each story. Beck falsely claimed Iowa marriage ruling "is actually about going into churches" Glenn Beck falsely asserted that the Iowa Supreme Court's decision striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage "is actually about going into churches ... and saying you can't teach anything else." In fact, the ruling does not affect religious institutions' definitions of marriage. Read More Fox & Friends' Carlson failed to disclose tea party organizer's GOP ties During an interview with Atlanta tea party organizers Jenny Beth and Lee Martin on Fox & Friends, Gretchen Carlson did not point out that Jenny Beth Martin has been a paid Republican consultant. Read More Hannity distorts article to hit media for crediting Obama in rescue Misconstruing a Politico article, Sean Hannity criticized the media for giving President Obama credit for authorizing the use of lethal force against Somali pirates. Read More FBN's Payne invokes "Pirate Problem" to repeat Obama defense cut falsehood Fox Business' Charles Payne asked whether the "piracy situation" and other recent foreign policy events will make President Obama reconsider "cutting the [military] budget," and on-screen text read: "Pirate Problem: Will President Obama Rethink Military Cuts?" In fact, the Obama administration has proposed increasing defense spending by billions of dollars. Read More In reporting on tea parties, CNN, MSNBC hosts target Fox News In reporting on the tea party protests, MSNBC and CNN hosts have targeted Fox News for criticism over its aggressive promotion of the upcoming events. Read More Politico lets Gingrich attack public health insurance plan without disclosing financial ties to insurance companies Politico quoted Newt Gingrich's criticisms of including a public health insurance plan option in a health care reform proposal without noting his financial ties to several major health insurance companies. Read More Fox's Asman ignores findings by Bush FBI in slamming Obama for report on extremists recruiting vets David Asman stated of the DHS report on right-wing extremist groups' recruiting of veterans, "I'm wondering if all this isn't just a desire on part of the administration to shut up its critics." But Asman didn't note that the DHS cited an FBI report authored under President Bush that previously identified this pattern. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.