[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MEDIA DOWNPLAY 9/12 PROTESTS

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                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, The national media's coverage of 
the conservative 9/12 protests was scarce and antagonistic, according 
to an analysis by the Media Research Center (MRC).
  According to MRC, the three TV networks did not offer any pre-rally 
coverage before the 9/12 protests.
  And their coverage afterward intentionally tried to paint a negative 
picture of the protestors.
  Furthermore, a regular commentator on MSNBC dismissed the protestors 
as ``the fringe of the fringe,'' although they were everyday Americans.
  And The New York Times buried its coverage of the protests on page 
A37 of Sunday's paper.
  In contrast, the media gave significantly more--and more positive--
coverage to liberal protests recently.
  The national media should give fair coverage to protests on both 
sides, rather than downplaying conservative demonstrations.

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