NY Times photographer: "Don't trust anything you see on TV"

Media Research Center's Cyberalert ^ | November 6, 2001 | Brent Baker

[Mr. Mulliner]

Don't trust the media, at least not CNN. Says who? A new York Times photographer in Pakistan. Catching up with an item caught last week by Jim Romenesko's MediaNews, on a Web page for sports photographers Vincent Laforet advised: "Don't trust anything you see on TV and be wary of some of the things you read." The Times photographer revealed: "We covered a pro-Taliban demonstration last week attended by maybe 5,000 protestors. CNN stated there were 50,000."

In a lengthy recounting of his travails about photographing in Pakistan, Laforet wrote:

"Speaking of the media, I have but one thing to tell you. Don't trust anything you see on TV and be weary of some of the things you read. I witnessed how sensationalistic the media can be during the Florida recount. It's even worse here. We covered a pro-Taliban demonstration last week attended by maybe 5,000 protestors. CNN stated there were 50,000. The BBC estimated 40,000. We're continually hearing of "violent clashes with police" when the TV stations report on non-violent demonstrations we covered ourselves."

To read his dispatch in full, illustrated by some of his photos, go to this address and scroll down to the second story: http://www.manginphotography.com/sptshtr36.html

Since he offered no date, it's hard to correlate his statement with what CNN actually reported that day.

[BibChr]

"...be weary of some of the things you read."

I'm weary of MOST of the things I read in the mainstream.

Wary, too!

(Very Freudian.)

Dan

[Wait4Truth]

I wanted to give you a bump on this! We need to keep this at the top so many people view it. This has nothing to do with the war, but I wanted to relate a simple little story that again points to the liberal media as liars. When President Bush was campaigning, there were two occasions where he drew 20,000 people in my city. I was at both of them and it was an amazing thing to see. I was anxious to read the following day's coverage of these wonderful events (where GW was treated like a rock-star!!)and both times the crowds were said to be "relatively enthusiastic" and ran "a few thousand in number"....don't believe what you read if you have a liberal paper. They LIE!

[agitator]

I worked in broadcast television and radio for 10 years and I wouldn't believe the weather report without sticking my head out the window first.

[PatriotGames]

Yes, I agree with you. I no longer trust TV news and/or print media.........except FoxNews and the internet. I don't like to call them "media" or "jouranlists." I prefer to call them "opinionists" or "verbal terrorists." Of course, I came to this realization years ago but recent events have solidified my view. ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, PBS, et al, ( they know who they are ) want, for some unknown reason, to see this country fall so that the "democratic, liberal, left-wing, socialist, communist, totalitarian" ( All of these words are synonyms to me. ) factions can "take over." Little do they realize that as soon as that would happen the "new government" would shut down all news media and they would all be out of work.

[Sara Of Earth †]

:+:+:BUMP:+:+:

[Yardstick]

Why is Fox so trustworthy?

Well, I think Fox does do a better job of providing quality news than CNN... to about the same extent that Republicans to do a better job of respecting the Constitution than Democrats.

[rockfish59]

fox & geraldo! give us a break! 'balanced'?? the media sucks, PERIOD!

[Sangamon Kid]

Yeah, all those Swissies got tired of climbing the Alps, so they moved the entire country, lock, stock, and barrel, to what used to be the Czech Republic; which had been vacated early last year after the last remaining Czechs signed the sublease for that old duplex down at 87th and Pulaski Ave.

[KSCITYBOY]

bump

[Aeronaut]

By the way, I'd be interested if anyone else comes across similar stories of exaggerations from the war front.

I saw media exaggeration in person at a Freep of a peace rally. According to Capital Security the steps of the Minnesota state capital hold 500 people; they estimated the crowds at about 300 based on the space available on the steps. Some of the local media pegged the crowd at 500, 800, 1000, and 1100. None agreed with Capital Security.

[maestro]

Especially all of the NEW ADVANCED SUBLIMINAL techniques!!!

[Bigg Red]

If we don't watch CNN, who will tell us the truth about the migration of Switzerland?

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

Check out post # 3. LOL

[Bigg Red]

LOL!

[tallhappy]

Thnx fr pstng ths bmp

[be-baw]

On a not-quite-related issue, Rush reported this afternoon that the Tallywhacked are charging reporters admission to see the alleged bombed-out civilian sites in Afghanistan.

CNN and ABC got in for $30, while Fox News Channel declined to pay the $2000 they would have to have paid.

[fone]

Would someone please explain to me why LYING is not a criminal offense?

The FCC should pull Time Warner's license for this outrage!

Streching the truth a bit is one thing, to over state things by 10 TIMES brinks on being a FELONY.

[Steven W.]

The worst offender here, even worse than CNN, is anti-American PMSNBC reporter Ashleigh Banfield. Her hatred of America is deep and obvious with every wrinkle of her forehead and the apparent "glee" with which she receives Taliban propaganda reports of alleged civilian casualties.

[biffalobull]

If we don't watch CNN, who will tell us the truth about the migration of Switzerland?

I have always read the Globe

Very informative news and current events, and equally as trustworthy as CNN.

'sarcasm' off