Sometimes this contest is easy and today is one of those times. WCCO’s tweet highlighting Erin Murphy dancing after receiving the DFL endorsement is almost a parody of media bias.
To be clear, we understand completely Murphy’s dance of happiness and congratulate her on her victory. Who can’t understand the sheer joy of winning? We don’t want her to be governor but it was hard not to smile. We’re human beings and too often in the battle of politics that, weirdly, can be forgotten.
No, what’s egregious is that WCCO gives its imprimatur to her dance and tells us that we should approve of her candidacy because it is joyful. I don’t think we’re nit picking either because the old “reverse the situation” rule comes into play: would WCCO tweet something like this if Jeff Johnson did a happy dance? Of course not. In fact it’s more likely than not that they’d make an oblique criticism masquerading as news. “Out of character for a white, racist, reactionary, puppy hating dude, Jeff Johnson attempted to dance after winning the MNGOP endorsement for governor.”
A member of Alpha News brought this week’s winning tweet to my attention but we’re ineligible for this contest. That doesn’t mean readers shouldn’t continue to submit examples of local media bias. Each week brings plenty of examples and we’re grateful for the support this contest has garnered. Click on the banner ad above to submit and look for another winner next Friday.
John Gilmore
John Gilmore is an author, freelance writer & former opinion columnist for Alpha News. He blogs at minnesotaconservatives.org & is @Shabbosgoy on Twitter