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. Brzezinski's reading of CNN's Cheney poll contradicts CNN polling director Citing a CNN poll, Mika Brzezinski asserted, "[Dick] Cheney's recent foray into the media spotlight is boosting his approval rating." However, CNN's polling director refuted the notion that Cheney's higher favorability in the poll is related to his "recent foray into the media spotlight." Read More Karl Rove, Super Genius Karl Rove has a regular Wall Street Journal column. He's a Fox News contributor. Newsweek hired him as a contributor. As Gloria Borger said in 2007: "[W]hen Rove speaks, the political class pays attention -- usually with good reason." Read More Coulter falsehood: No evidence Guantánamo "has served as a recruiting tool for terrorists" Ann Coulter falsely asserted that there is "no evidence" that Guantánamo "has served as a recruiting tool for terrorists." In fact, military and FBI interrogators have stated that terrorists have successfully used the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay as a recruiting device. Read More Media uncritically aired Cheney claim that "EITs" were used after other techniques failed Four evening news programs uncritically aired discredited claims Dick Cheney made suggesting that detainees provided information after -- and only after -- "enhanced interrogation techniques" were used. Read More Obtuse Angle: Fox News correspondent repeats debunked Library Tower claim Reporting on Dick Cheney's speech, Jim Angle repeated the debunked claim that the use of harsh interrogation techniques helped thwart an attack on the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles. Read More Will the NY Times issue correction to report on former Gitmo detainees? On May 21 on MSNBC, New York Times reporter Elisabeth Bumiller acknowledged that the assertion in an article published earlier that day that one in seven detainees at Guantánamo has "returned" to terrorist activities might not be accurate. Conservatives and media seized on the dubious assertion, but the paper has not run a correction. Read More Wash. Times fails to disclose op-ed author's ties to defense industry The Washington Times published an op-ed by John R. Guardiano criticizing Robert Gates' decision to cancel the Future Combat Systems' vehicle program but did not disclose Guardiano's ties to a contractor for the FCS vehicle program. Read More Memo to Chris Wallace: Military officials say Gitmo has been a "recruiting tool" for terrorists Ignoring statements from military officials and reports, Chris Wallace suggested that the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay has not been used by terrorists as a "huge recruiting tool." Read More Un-debatable: Contrary to media claim, national security was an issue during 2008 campaign Numerous media figures advanced the argument that national security issues discussed by President Obama and Dick Cheney in May 21 speeches weren't debated during the 2008 presidential election campaign. In fact, the issues were vigorously debated during the Republican primary campaign. Read More You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.