Jon Stewart Lectures Reporters For Lazy Coverage

CNN reports that "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart gave the press a tongue-lashing in Denver today:

As Comedy Central's "Daily Show" descends on Denver for four days of coverage, Jon Stewart took after the "established" media for getting too cozy with candidates and regurgitating campaign spin when it comes to political coverage.

In a breakfast with reporters, Stewart directed most of his ire at the 24-hour cable news networks, which he called "gerbil wheels," and said the media at-large had "abdicated" to what he called the "slow-witted beast."

He said the never-ending television news cycle creates a "false sense of urgency" and forces reporters to "follow the veins that have been mined," instead of pursuing serious and in-depth reporting.

At Comedy Central's Indecision2008 blog, Dennis DiClaudio called the breakfast "the second most fascinating, most I-can't-believe-I'm experiencing-this, thing I have ever witnessed in my admittedly very unfascinating and inexperienced life."

But it wasn't the first time Stewart called the media to task. The lecture was reminiscent of his famous 2004 "Crossfire" appearance, in which he asked the hosts to "stop hurting America":

The show was canceled a few months later.

Comments

[mick7191]

The bow tie crack to little Tuckie was a classic.

[JestMe]

I like to watch a couple hours of cable news, and then catch The Daily Show to help me regain my balance, and realize that I'm not crazy after all. Jon Cuts out the spin and lays the facts in front of you.
It takes a lot of guts to be truthful in the news business. Jon has plenty.
I was starting to doubt my own judgement until I found Stewart and then Colbert. I couldn't figure out why it all sounded like spin and BS. Jon & Stephen are Funny and truthy, all at the same time. They're not for everyone, but niether is the truth, apparantly.

[aaawyeah]

so effing true. it's a strange, strange world when the comedy shows make more sense than the quote-unquote "news" programs. looks like paddy chayefsky wasn't a satirist after all - he was a prophet.

[leonyc]

In my view, MSNBC's coverage of the convention was by far the best of all the news channels. While I disagree with Pat Buchanan on many issues, I truly enjoy his analysis of the current presidential race. I think that if the Demcrats listened to his advice, they would have been doing way better in the polls.

"You've got to go out there and gut and skewer McCain," Buchanan said, "and I don't think she's (Clinton) going to do that."

[lylo]

Does anyone watch PBS? If you wanted to see most of the convention and very little of the talking heads, you would.

[NYC-blues]

Ironically this has to be the worst coverage of a news story ever. Pretty lazy to just show a clip from 5 years ago. WHERES the STORY??

[Durango]

Why is it that the Daily Show is, apparently,. the only program in the broadcast media with access to a video library?

Why are they the only folks to go back and show what these fools have said in the past. Particularly when the new statements completely contradict what they have said in the past.

i would assume ABC,NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC all have easier access to this material but never seem to use it.

Why do we have to rely on the Daily Show to hold these fools accountable? Isn't that the media's job?

[Brettster]

Exactly. I've never understood how the Daily Show so easily skewers issues and illuminates truth simply through comparing video, and the MSM seemingly cannot do this.

[OhCanada]

The news networks are afraid to be called partisan. They feel they have to show both sides in order to remain neutral, regardless of the facts.

[terris]

I noticed two things. First, a commenter on the CNN site said "vote Democrat." Second, CNN closed the article for comments.

Now, if I was in the business of selling advertising, the last thing I would do is shut down a popular page. That is, unless I was taking orders from a Republican who could fire me.

[blueflush]

I sit in amazement as to how disrespectful the republicans show up and try to disrupt the democratics convention > I would be hihly upset if the democrats dont return the same during the rnc's convention. there is no time to play nice dems the republicans continue to believe that dirty and untrue politics is the way to go. the dems needs to stop purring and began roaring at every turn. it appears thr people love good old down to earth nasty politics

[1conservative]

John Stewart is the epitome of arrogance. This guy is a comedian and hosts a comedy show. I realize he is the self appointed expert on what all Americans need, but is he also an expert on how journalists should report the facts? Amazing.

[laire]

1conservative,

I think your missing the point he is a comedian and he does a better job of giving information to people then the people who are really supposed to give serious information. Cnn does not give facts they give opinons.

[kgb999]

Look who you are talking to ... conservatives think they are getting news when they watch Fox.

[JusticeQuentinPublic]

John Stewart is not an arrogant man, but he does play one on TV. You say 'comedian' as if he is a simple clown, but think of the quality and skill that a comedian of John's ability must have. Observation. Context. Intelligence. Balls. Mr. Stewart's verbal drubbing of the the cable news networks by calling them out on their own garbage is funny. The fact that 'this guy is a comedian', and is smarter, more intellectually agile and spot-on accurate makes his barbs absolutely hysterical.

[kathy001]

Apparently you like your news coverage to be all fluff and no substance. That's your preference and you have a right to it. On the other hand, there are plenty of us out here who'd like some real news, real - actual - factual - information. John Stewart is one of "us" and, as such, spoke for all of us who are sick and tired of the so-called "news" media feeding us one-sided opinions and outright propoganda. But you go ahead and stay tuned to your nightly drivel. Wouldn't want any pesky truths to accidentally slip into your head and disturb your sleep.

[wayne64]

Easy to host a popular comedy news program and criticize main stream news. If he feels it's not being done to its full potential (and I agree that it isn'...who doesn't) then why doesn't he take off his clown suit and try it himself. Nice to be in his position...Hey I'm just a comedian...don't take me seriously unless I want you to.

[laire]

wayne64,

your missing the point, wake up!

[wayne64]

What is the point...in your wide awake opinion?

[qwr]

"too cozy"? That's some kind of joke, right? Ever see the McCain segments on the Daily Show? Jon Stewart is funny at times, but his political impact is overstated. And Colbert is funnier.

[mormondem]

I'm done with CNN. Their coverage of the first night of the convention was pathetic. I watched the convention tonight on PBS. Wolf Blitzer likes to hear his own voice more than anything else and they do nothing but make "mountains out of molehills." Empty, meaningless drivel - and they call it the best political team on television. Ha! They're the best just like Bush and McCain are the best - in their own minds.

[BlueZoo]

I knew there was another reason (as if I needed one!) I like Jon Stewart! Even for Jon, this tongue lashing of the media was a tad strong but I feel it's warranted. The "gerbil wheels" bore me to tears and I'm sick of the news readers making themselves more important than the news. Give me Stewart and Colbert any night!

[PuffDragon]

Corporate-owned news programs simply aren't interested in delivering news - they are after profits above all, and it shows.

Failing to observe their fundamental obligation to report meaningful information to viewers, in exchange for use of Public Air time, corporations favor the sensational, the entertaining, the politically convenient and advantageous, to the detriment of America and to democracy itself.

The failure of American corporate media to report critically on the Bush - Cheney presidency, to broadcast White House talking points on nearly every major issue is a fundamental collapse of a key pillar of democracy.

[RRundbaken]

He's right. CNN and MSNBC spend all their time showing their hosts. And the 'reporters' all try to get as much face time as possible. Speeches are being given and these shows just show their own talking heads. Show the convention! These hosts don't talk about anything and everything is 'breaking news.'. Fox is merely state run media so I don't count them as news. And they all play into Republican hands by running again and again their attack ads and showing Romney and Giuliani. I hope they give Democrats the same courtesy next week. These 'reporters' simply don't develop and cover legitimate stories. They just stand there and get fed tripe. 75% of the country thinks this country and this administration iand by extension Republican policies are wrong. Yet these news programs give hourly polls showing, supposedly, a tie race. How can that possibly be? Rising unemployment, record foreclosures, exploding deficits, $12 billion a month in Iraq; 43 million uninsured; the rich getting exceedingly richer and the rest of us struggling, science in schools under attack, the Constitution under attack and the list goes on as evidence of failed Republican policies. Who are they polling? Watch PBS or CSPAN for a thinking persons coverage.

[iamamerican2]

Watch CSPAN DNC convention coverage cnn, msnbc and fox aren't covering it, all they're doing is
talking about how obama and bill and hillary are going to get along. They're like a dam tabloid and i refuse to watch from this point on.