[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NETWORKS SHOULD HOLD ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE FOR OIL SPILL RESPONSE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, the television news networks 
failed to hold the Obama administration accountable for its response to 
the Gulf Coast oil spill crisis, according to an analysis by the Media 
Research Center.
  Out of 157 news stories during the 4 weeks after the disaster, 148--
95 percent--featured no criticism of the administration whatsoever.
  Just nine had some scrutiny of the administration.
  And just two of the stories--about 1 percent--focused on the 
administration's handling of the crisis.
  The national media gave no such leeway to former President George W. 
Bush's handling of crises during his administration.
  The networks should hold the Obama administration accountable, not 
give them a free pass.

                          ____________________