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Conservative Students Learn Lesson in Media Bias
CNSNews.com ^ | 3/14/03 | Susan Jones

Posted on 03/14/2003 4:15:39 AM PST by kattracks

CNSNews.com) - A Texas newspaper reporter who sent an insulting e-mail to a conservative student group - calling the students "heartless, greedy, anti-intellectual little fascists" - apparently has been fired from the newspaper.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Steve McLinden sent a sneering response to the Young Conservative Texans (YCT) last month, after the YCT sent the newspaper a press release announcing plans to protest Bill Clinton's Feb. 12 appearance at the University of Texas.

Annoyed by the press release, McLinden wrote to the conservative group, "Ah, the heartless, greedy, anti-intellectual little fascists are mobilizing again. (Let me guess. All you frat boys saved up your allowances and monies from your McDonald's jobs for those Beemers you'll be driving to the protest, and those new jackboots you'll be sportin' enroute).

"Hey, don't forget all the nasty little deals that Reagan's henchmen cut with Middle East figures that got us directly into this mess today..."

The Young Conservative Republicans complained to the editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and he sent an email of his own to the group, apologizing for McLinden's insults.

Jim Witt assured the students that the reporter's message "does not represent in any way the opinion or practices of our newspaper," and he promised to conduct an investigation.

That investigation apparently led to the reporter's termination, and in a statement, the Young Conservative Texans congratulated the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for handling the matter in an "impressive and decisive manner."

"This will hopefully serve as an example to media outlets and journalists across the country as they strive to maintain the time-honored standards of objectivity and professionalism," said YCT State Communications Director Chris Allen.

"We are gratified that, whatever the cause or causes of Mr. McLinden's termination, the message we received from Mr. Witt alone demonstrates that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram clearly recognizes the seriousness of media bias and unprofessionalism," Allen added.

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mediabias; yct
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1 posted on 03/14/2003 4:15:39 AM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks
Well blow me down. Who woulda thunk it?
2 posted on 03/14/2003 4:23:17 AM PST by twntaipan (Defend American Liberty: Defeat a demoncRAT!)
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To: kattracks
lets not forget that fascists and socialists are not far removed. collectivists.
3 posted on 03/14/2003 4:25:16 AM PST by struggle ((The struggle continues))
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To: kattracks
Well, his name is off the masthead (used to be listed with Mitchel Schnurman's):

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/

Good. Maybe he'll sleaze over to the local alternate rag, the Fort Worth Weekly. They pay about $150 an article, which is about $150 too much for this jerk's ramblings).

4 posted on 03/14/2003 4:25:51 AM PST by strela ("a' poppin' off at Pop's Sodium Shop")
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To: kattracks
On of The Bass brothers must have a son in the club. Good for the StartleGram.
5 posted on 03/14/2003 4:27:21 AM PST by DainBramage
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To: struggle
lets not forget that fascists and socialists are not far removed. collectivists.

Despite the firing, McClinden's screed is an accurate reflection of the base assumptions of most reporters.

All this firing will do is make some reporters more resentful of conservatives.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

6 posted on 03/14/2003 4:28:22 AM PST by section9 (The girl in the picture is Major Motoko Kusanagi from "Ghost In the Shell".)
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To: kattracks
reporter Steve McLinden sent a sneering response

In related news, McLinden is now claiming that his sneering response was in fact ghost-written by Maureen Dowd.

7 posted on 03/14/2003 4:33:51 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
He will list this as an "accomplishment" on his resume he sends to the NY Times.

This guy really has an envy problems, I'd say.
8 posted on 03/14/2003 5:05:31 AM PST by aardvark1
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To: twntaipan
Jim Witt assured the students that the reporter's message "does not represent in any way the opinion or practices of our newspaper,"

That is a lie. The Startle-gram was just P.O.'ed that one of their junior socialists came out of the closet and revealed himself. The paper is a piece of liberal trash.

9 posted on 03/14/2003 5:25:01 AM PST by San Jacinto
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To: kattracks; Peacerose; Landru; ForGod'sSake; Tolerance Sucks Rocks; Copernicus; Mr. Mulliner

Cogito, ergo FReepum

CCRM is a Free Republic Network affiliate working to reduce media bias.

For a comprehensive overview of Freeper thoughts on Liberal Media bias, check out our website by clicking on graphic, or HERE: We call it Fairpress.org.

This thread is evidence that liberal bias is still with us. Come join our team and engage in the battle against the Liberal Media.

10 posted on 03/14/2003 5:30:03 AM PST by bert (Don't Panic !)
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To: bert
This thread is evidence that liberal bias is still with us.

And this story can be used to illustrate this point. Unfortunately, most media reporters try to hide their bias by denying it when asked. But a close read of their stories tells otherwise. This reporter got a little too cocky and paid the price. The others will be smarter. Still waters run deep.

11 posted on 03/14/2003 5:54:46 AM PST by CedarDave (Undecided which tag line to use today)
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To: kattracks
BUMP
12 posted on 03/14/2003 6:01:04 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: section9
All this firing will do is make some reporters more resentful of conservatives.

There is a definite trend growing. The relatively small numbers of conservatives who are demonstrating are the vanguard, the minutemen, who are rattling the mindset of the lefties. These conservatives, speaking up all over the country, are causing the lefties to show their true colors. The nasty little charade of objective journalism is being revealed to more and more Americans who are just recently becoming politically aware and active.

I see example after example of this and it gives me great hope for the future.

13 posted on 03/14/2003 6:18:49 AM PST by maica (against all tyranny by the pink)
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To: section9
All this firing will do is make some reporters more resentful of conservatives.

It may also make them a bit more circumspect...

14 posted on 03/14/2003 6:26:03 AM PST by Interesting Times (Eagles Up!)
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To: bert
Hey! Eric Alterman says the media is conservative!

And if you don't believe him, just ask him - he'll tell you. ;-)

15 posted on 03/14/2003 6:37:55 AM PST by an amused spectator
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To: San Jacinto
I'd wager he wasn't fired for writing the letter per se. The paper probably asked him to apologize after the incident became public, and when he refused they fired him for insubordination.
16 posted on 03/14/2003 6:44:24 AM PST by skeeter (Fac ut vivas)
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To: Gracey; anymouse; basil; DrewsDad
At least the protest got *one* kneepadder fired, albeit not a particularly bright one...
17 posted on 03/14/2003 7:23:25 AM PST by Tall_Texan (Where liberals lead, misery follows.)
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To: San Jacinto
F-W Star Telegram is also Red Molly Ivins's rag too isn't it? Sheesh, who would of guessed that many commies in the Lone Star state. What's going on down there? I expect leftist nitwits in my home state of Wisconsin, but Texas?!?
18 posted on 03/14/2003 9:15:27 AM PST by driftless ( For life-long happiness, learn how to play the accordion.have)
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To: section9
Despite the firing, McClinden's screed is an accurate reflection of the base assumptions of most reporters.

All this firing will do is make some reporters more resentful of conservatives.

Well, it might also help this guy get his foot in the door at the New York Times. I imagine they're always looking for promising anti-American writing talent, just in case Mo Dowd gets run over by a cab on her way to some Upper West Side cocktail party.

19 posted on 03/14/2003 9:25:51 AM PST by CFC__VRWC ("Diplomats! The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank!")
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To: scholar; Happygal
OK you two; any thoughts on this??

IMO there's a telltale smell of something fishy, here.
Brings to mind an old saying.

"Be careful of something that's just what you want it to be."

...'nuff said.

20 posted on 03/14/2003 1:17:37 PM PST by Landru
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