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. Distorting Silver, Corsi suggested Dems will lose House if Obama falls below 65% Jerome Corsi mischaracterized an analysis by Nate Silver to claim that President Obama "will need to sustain a 65-percent approval rating to avoid losing the House" in 2010. In fact, Silver predicted that Obama needs that level of support "to avoid losing any ground in the House." Read More Chuck Norris' facts on hate crimes bill are missing in action Chuck Norris repeated the false claim that pedophiles could be protected under the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Read More Attacking Pelosi, Gingrich misrepresents Panetta statement Newt Gingrich misrepresented Leon Panetta's response to Nancy Pelosi's allegation that the CIA had misled her about its use of waterboarding. Read More NBC's Guthrie falsely claimed "[n]o congressman" has offered to take Guantánamo detainees Savannah Guthrie falsely claimed of Guantánamo Bay detainees: "No congressman wants these detainees in their district." In fact, at least two congressmen have offered to hold Guantánamo detainees at prisons in their districts. Read More AP disputes Reid on Guantánamo "terrorists" but let GOP falsehoods slide The AP quoted Harry Reid saying, "We will never allow terrorists to be released into the United States," and then reported: "No one, of course, was talking about releasing terrorism suspects among the American populace." However, the AP has repeatedly reported claims from Republicans without noting the falsehood. Read More Media falsely attribute entire auto standards cost to Obama Numerous media outlets have falsely asserted or suggested that President Obama's emissions standards proposal alone would increase the average vehicle cost by $1,300. In fact, $700 of that increase is a result of a bill signed by President Bush in 2007. Read More WSJ doesn't disclose Galen Institute's reported industry ties in president's health care op-ed The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed co-written by Galen Institute president Grace-Marie Turner promoting congressional Republicans' health care reform proposal without noting that the Galen Institute reportedly receives funding from the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Read More A smear they can't refuse: Media compare Obama administration to mobsters Numerous media figures have compared President Obama and his administration to the mafia, frequently referencing films and television shows such as The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Sopranos. Read More TNR's Krieger described Huntsman as "one of the only Republican governors" to accept stimulus funds -- but they all did A New Republic article wrongly described Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. as "one of the only Republican governors to accept money from Obama's stimulus package." In fact, all Republican governors have requested and received funds from the stimulus package. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.