Washington Post Articles Show Bias by Omission
By Thomas D. Segel (01/04/06)
Harlingen, Texas, January 4, 2006: We have frequently noted that the political leanings of mainstream media publications can often be seen by what fails to make it into print. In the case of Jack Abramoff, political bias of the Washington Post is obvious in its articles of January 3 and 4. The first article written by William Branigin, Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi and the article dated January 4 penned by only Schmidt and Grimaldi are littered with the names of Republican officials, aides and family members. The articles indicate all of these individuals are being investigated. However, no mention of a Democrat appears in the text.
Today’s copy mentions former House majority leader Tom DeLay of Texas, Representative Robert W. Ney of Ohio, former Delay aides Tony Rudy, Michael Scanlon and Edwin Buckham, Senator Conrad Burns of Montana, Representative John T. Doolittle of California, Rudy’s wife Lisa and even DeLay’s wife Christine in connection with an investigation into Abramoff’s admitted guilt on fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public official plea bargain in the Washington U. S. District Court. Their names appear repeatedly in both articles and total of 33 times in the January 4 copy. This was done despite the Post indicating “In court papers, prosecutors refer to only one congressman: Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio).” The article continues saying “Abramoff, who built a political alliance with House Republicans, including former majority leader Tom DeLay of Texas, has agreed to provide information and testimony about a half a dozen House and Senate members...”
Though none of the Republicans named in the article have been charged with a crime, the names fill the Post article from beginning to end, without the name of a single Democrat being listed. This serious omission occurs despite the fact that more than 100 Democrat officials have received contributions from Abramoff. Among the top recipients of his generosity are Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-Wash), Charles Rangel (D-NY), along with the current Senate minority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) and former minority leader Tom Daschle.
Other prominent Democrats receiving money from Abramoff include Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Barney Frank (D-Mass), Dick Durbin (D-ILL), Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal). Does this mean these Democrats are guilty of any crime? Of course not...... But, it does mean the Washington Post has again failed to engage in objective reporting.
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