Backwards Day! Wherein We Call Out The Celeb Media For Referring To A Fact As A Rumor

Is a rumor still a rumor once it's been videotaped, replayed on network and cable news, reported everywhere, debated furiously on cable news and in the press and been picked up all over the blogosphere? Apparently so, according to CBS' "The Insider," which included the incident wherein a university student asked Chelsea Clinton about Monica Lewinsky during a campus tour. That happened on Tuesday, March 25th, and by mid-afternoon was being reported across the board. But, that didn't stop "The Insider" from framing it as a "rumor" in their "Rumor Report" in last night's show, which re-aired this morning (and which ETP caught the beginning of following "The CBS Early Show," which yes we did actually watch, and apparently there is a stalwart Harry Smith fan club amongst the ladies out there. Also, Tony Snow looked like a hippie in his university days.) Now, we recognize that "The Insider" isn't a news show per se, but it does report on entertainment news and while apparently this made the cut, we're more interested in the standards it applies. Usually those in the press criticize the celebrity media for claiming unverified rumor as fact, not the way around — but still, this seemed especially odd given the fact that the story had been so completely verified, reported, and disseminated by the time "The Insider" got on the air. Watch and decide for yourself:

For those breathlessly waiting to find out the answer, "The Insider" told viewers approximately 29 minutes into the program that yes, someone had asked Chelsea about Monica Lewinsky. Stop the presses!

Related: Chelsea Clinton Has Quick Response For Lewinsky Question [HuffPo]

Comments

[InternationalObserver]

Oh, puh-lease!!

You've got this one completely wrong. It's YOU who's bending the facts to suit the story you want to write.

"Real or Rumour?" is a teaser for the actual item later in the show. They ask a (BS) question and then later say "that's a fact" or "that's a rumour" depending on the answer to their own question. The question could just as easily be "Is Ms Celebrity pregnant?" whilst showing a pic of a 'bump' on her tummy. Later they will tell us that "that's just a rumour - Ms Celebrity's agent tells us the star is NOT pregnant".

Yes, it's COMPLETELY LAME but so are you for watching a 30 second promo and NOT the actual segment, and then making a tenuous claim.

[rojo7449]

Obviously "The Insider" knows it's audience is a much different demographic than those who watch MSM, MSNBC TV, FOX, etc., even though MSNBC & FOX are entertainment rather than mainstream media.

[JonStewart4President]

Interesting that this author has one article up about how the media was trying to say something was a 'rumor' when it was a fact. And another about how Chris Mathews was a bad man for shooting down someone who actually was presenting rumors as facts.

Hmmmm.

[OttoMann]

There's nothing odd about that. Both are examples of bad journalism.

[Bozwellian]

...lol, nothing "odd" or out of the ordinary for Clintonite supporters...Hey, alls fair in this game of politics, gotta' put the best possible spin on the facts to make them seem as something other than and etc...it's the SAME-O game play that has been in place far too long !!! (Alarming that how well it "WORKS"...take something OUT of context and repeat it and "inuendo" it by not QUITE stating outright and then allowing an interprative by the short attention spanned audience who only goes on those quick sound bytes, praying they heard THE one that counts most in favor of the campaign of the moment...T­ragicalluy­, it often works and is why the NEGATIVES get promoted no matter how UN-based in facts but effects the perception which in turn affects the vote tally...tragic too that more do NOT do THEIR homework i order to be better informed in order to make those voting decisions !!!

[williehorton]

This column is up to 17 comments... plus 7 pending.
Judging from what's been approved, the "pending" comments are probably along the lines of
STFU RACHEL YOU %#(*$)#*ing %$#(*&#$#(@ (%$^#@

Take the hint, Rachel.

[YogiBarrister]

Rumor has it, George Bush is the worst president in history.

[TiffShelton]

um OK?

[JamesA1102]

Rachel,
Don't let the bastards get you down!

[ImmanuelKant]

I'm sorry Chelsea's campaigning and is presented as an adult. She should be asked adult questions. If she says "It is none of your business" then with all due respect to her the question will go unanswered and we are free to speculate at will.

[indyny]

Rachel, as usual, your irrelevant and mundane blogs never fail to amaze….

[kroses98]

Agreed!

[Tejano1]

not very interesting in the least. go back to your shrill hacking for mcclinton.

[TheHandyman]

So she is a hack and shrill to boot and yet you keep reading here which makes you a slow learner, possibly homeschooled or you didn't read her and you are making it all up, neither of which is very good. Come back when you have a valid and learned point of view and something to contribute to the discussion.

[Doug Watt]

Rachel, it was reported and re-reported on every cable news show and local news in the country. I agree that it was probably done to try squeeze some negatives from the Lewinski thing.

But focusing on Insider's treatment of it is not post worthy. How about a post discussing how we're all looking forward to supporting the Dem candidate, whoever that may be, in November to rid the WH of Republicans?

[kroses98]

But, that's not true!!! I would NEVER support the lying Clinton, EVER!!! This is not an idle threat, but a stone, cold fact!!! I will finally become an Independent and vote (for the first time) for Ralph Nader!!! Hillary is a sociopath, who has thrown everything in the KITCHEN SINK, & I will NOT "join together for the sake of the party!" NEVER!!! That's what she's done!

[TheHandyman]

Sorry, but if you are going to vote, vote for somebody who will truly make a difference. Vote for something or somebody, not against something. If you vote for Ralph Nader it is becvause you understand that of all the people now running he is the only one who has a record of doing that which is in the People's interests. The reason your car has seatbelts and Airbags is because of his dedicated work and lobbying to pass legislation to force automakers to install them. The reason you have clean water and clean air is because of his dedicated work lobbying Congress to pass the laws that the shrub has been trying to gut.. He did these things not to get rich or famous, he did it becuse he is one of those once-in-a-lifetime people who believe and dedicate them selves to the service of the greater good. Don't be a spoiled brat, be a noble person who votes for what is best and whose conscience is clear and resolute.

I prefer Obama to Clinton. I perferred Edwards and Kucinich. Now I work for Nader because I won't ever vote for the lesser of 2 evils and that is what Clinton/McCain would be. I am relieved Nader has come forward again. There no longer is enough difference between Domocan't and Repuglican to matter.

[anywho]

Boring...not an issue, who cares, why, please!!!!!

[williehorton]

Rachel,
Have you noticed that fewer and fewer people comment on your posts?
It's because you have wasted so much time and bandwidth shilling for Hillary Clinton that nobody much cares when you try to write something else... or not, as in this posting.
I hear the call center down the road is hiring.

[Titonwan]

Rachel Sklar is a self professed Canadian and therefore can't vote. Hence you would think impartial. What is wrong asking someone stumping for a candidate a viable question? Because she is a "kid" or under 30(?) or it's "personal" or the daughter of these unfortunate two, has nothing to do with the fact. If she's big enough to stump for her momma, well at least be prepared for all questions. I certainly don't want a President (or anyone campaigning for her/him) telling the constituents "it's none of your business" when it IS our business. To not see that question coming, eventually, speaks volumes of this family's sense of entitlement. Read some of the reports from Secret Service personnel about what a bitch those two were while inhabiting the White House. That's like being stupid enough to chew out a cook and then wonder why they spit in yer soup.
Oh, I worked in Canada for three years on the railroad. Love the country and the people (even though the eastern part seems a little hostile).

[DasBoot]

Wow Rachel, must have been slim picking today if that is the best story you found.

I would be curious to know how college crowds respond to Chelsea generally. I don't think she is making much of a connection. She is just sent around the country by her parents, kind of like "you are young, they are young, go connect."