CNN Airs At Least 54 Misleading Segments On ACORN

Media Matters:

From October 6 through October 15, CNN ran at least 54 segments mentioning allegations that the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now [ACORN] submitted allegedly false or duplicate voter registration applications this year in a number of states, according to a Media Matters for America search* of the Nexis database. But only one of those segments mentioned both of the following two relevant points: 1) that the statutes of most of those states require third parties registering prospective voters to submit all registration forms they receive; and 2) that actual instances of illegal votes being cast as a result of registration fraud are extremely rare. Indeed, in an October 10 press release, ACORN noted that "in almost every state we are required to turn in ALL completed applications, even the ones we know to be problematic." And in a 2007 report titled "The Truth About Voter Fraud," New York University's Brennan Center for Justice stated, "[W]e are aware of no recent substantiated case in which registration fraud has resulted in fraudulent votes being cast." Of the 54 CNN segments addressing the allegations against ACORN, two mentioned only the former of those two points, while one mentioned just the latter.

Read the whole story: Media Matters

Comments

[tj73]

Lou Dobbs needs to go away. Mr. Independent my butt. Also the dimwit who did the ACORN story is so in the conservative tank.

I only watch CNN because it is avail in HD and I dont get MSNBC through Verizon!

[nwmother]

Drew Griffin

[TimeGrid]

You are right: Drew Griffin should be fired.

All his reports about ACORN have simply repeated the McCain campaign talking points.

Not once he mentioned that under most state laws, voter registration organizations such as ACORN are REQUIRED to turn in all the forms they receive.
Even those they know that may be problematic!

[NeoStar9]

At first I used to think Lou was really an independent but that was back before the primary started and at the beginning of it. Recently (as in the last several months) it's quiet clear that he is a solid republican that is just pretending to be an independent. The only thing he seems to be different from republicans on is consumer and trade issues. However after that he is deep red.

I guess I was fooled because I agreed with him on the immigration issue. I'm all for legal just not illegal and the enforcement of current laws. Once that dropped out of the news and I started listening to him on other topics it became clear he wasn't independent at all.

[canuck4barack]

Dobbs is about as Independent as O'Reilly is.

[Shashi0224]

I get MSNBC through Verizon...­.if I didn't, I wouldn't have Verizon. I am so thankful for Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and Chris Matthews! They may clearly be for Obama, but they don't hide it and they are actually factual. They are actually intelligent. Chris Matthews doesn't take any crap from anyone....­..Keith Olbermann brings things out that no one else will talk about, and Rachel Maddow is so obviously informed and intelligent I love to watch!! The three of them may be solely responsible for informing America of the propaganda pushed on them by FOX, CNN, and ABC.
Thanks to Huffingtonpost and MSNBC for their journalistic talents and for really telling the whole story!

[tj73]

I have FIOS In NY and MSNBC isnt in my channel lineup. I get my fix through the web... a day later. :(

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Last night on Larry King, Bill Maher was attempting to discuss these fraudlent charges against ACORN and King kept trying to cut him off, but Bill continued and got the truth out. Which is ACORN turns in 3 separate stacks, the ones they acutally called and validated as genuine, the ones they were not able to get anyone on the phone, and the ones that are suspect. ALL registration forms are turned in, so where is the damn fraud in regards to ACORN.

[bilmardre]

The msm has never been "in the tank" for Obama. They may lean left on some issues but they have never favored Obama. This myth propogated by the right is part of their pattern of accusing others of doing exactly what they are doing. It gives them justification for being obviously biased (FOX and AM radio).

That is why Obama purchased air time to take his case directly to the people. He knows he will not get a fair shake in the media. The closer he gets to victory the more apparent this becomes.

[cynic1000]

The lie that the media is "liberal" is just another lie that the Repubs have been spreading for years. Logically it doesn't even make sense that the media would be liberal. Major corporations sponsor these networks and corporations are worth billions of dollars. Does anyone really think that these guys care about the average working American?

[renatam]

The CNN Neocon Channel is doing its best for either Hillary Clinton and/or John McCain (and Joe Lieberman). The WAR all-the-time channel -- is doing its passive/aggressive clever best for them to thwart Obama/Biden.

[renatam]

Andrea Mitchell, Mrs. Alan Greenspan -- is doing her part to help spread Sarah Palin LIES as well re ACORN, daily on MSNBC.

[Kuroneko]

"....actua­l instances of illegal votes being cast as a result of registration fraud are extremely rare."

You mean, dead people and Mickey Mouse rarely show up and vote? How disappoint­ing...

[FlamingLibrul]

My only question to CNN?
Do the Republicans fax their talking points and narratives?
Or do they e-mail them to you?

Thank you!! I am so glad someone is talking about this. I have become increasingly disgusted with CNN through their campaign coverage. Very often, they report on accusations made against the Obama camp, that have already been debunked and exposed as outright falsehoods. I really believe CNN has a stake now, in keeping the smears and misrepresentations going. At one time, I used to watch Lou Dobbs, when he actually behaved as an Independent.

Then, one day, it became obvious an Hispanic immigrant screw had loosened in his brain, and he became a raging, nostril-flaring, red-faced, chiclet teeth-baring, anti-minority demagogue. The higher-ups actually running things have to have given a green-light to the Foxification of CNN.

Keep it up CNN, and see how long before your audience dwindles down to the rabid wingnuts- who will spend most of their time watching Faux News.

[renatam]

We will have to revisit re-regulation of MSM as well as the financial/insurance industries -- next year. This is NOT what Press Freedoms were supposed to look like as journalism -- protected by the Constitution. Our airwaves/spectrum is LICENSED and not for Andrea Mitchell's gossip "...people are saying..." Repub conflicted (Mrs. Alan Greenspan) programming, courtesy of the free licenses that are being leveraged by major corporations for MEGA BUCKS and to spread Repub influence on multiple channels.

Fox
CNN
NBCU (except for 2 hrs. ea. night)

[cynic1000]

I think they must get Fox news talking points. But we all just have to stop watching them. I stopped during the primaries because it was so obvious they were anti-Obama with regards to their reporting.

[loax]

Gee, CNN trying to report lies for mcCain? My God, they and thier reporters ie: Wolf Blitzer, John King , Lou Dobbs, et al have been so in the bag for McCain you can see it!. While the used to be the Clinton News Network, they have become the McCain News Netwrok. You have not heard one word of outrage over the false claims against Obama, Acorn, the racially charged GOP, or Palins complete incompetance. Where are the stories about Timmons, Liddy, Keating and the other thugs McCain consorts with. They are not a balanced news network, and are becoming a parody of Faux News.

[cynic1000]

Exactly. And what is even more sad is that none of them seem to be outraged by the "kill me" shouts from the crowd at Palin and McCain rallies. We are actually hearing threats to another human being's life at their rallies and most of the MSM appear to be nonchalant about it. This is truly sick. So they care more about ACORN and the possibility that Mickey Mouse will show up to the polls than they care about a presidential candidate's life. How sad and embarsssing. The world is watching.

[mocha59]

I've been suspect of CNN more and more. Are they owned by FOX or something? They really let the lies go with speaking the true story more times than not. Or could it be the 'racism' that has always gone on, 'unnoticed'. I haven't decided yet, but you can definately be left with a bad taste in your mouth from CNN sometimes. Both sides I want to hear. Lies should not be broadcast as truths though.

Thank goodness for progressive radio shows!
Thank goodness for the internet!

[toochie50]

Dobbs is an a hole - he out and out called Obama a JERK on his show one night - he is so pompous with those over white dentures and he smiles like he thinks he's the gift.

[nwmother]

I've only watched the walrus once--he said that mexicans were bringing leprosy over the border and we were all going to fall victim to third world diseases.
Never watched him again after that. Never watch any of the idiots on FAUX either. I suggest that the best way to confront a bully is to ignore him and go about your business.

[cyndeewi]

Dobbs needs to get a life.

[Speakchic]

What is going to be done about it is the question? Every night CNN claims to be giving news from all sides and they fail miserably in that area. Anderson Cooper does his investigative reports and they are almost always filled with misleading information. I used to love AC360 but I don't anymore.

I hope everyone sends emails and complains to the "most trusted name in news" b/c their reporting is far from it!

[BaltimoreSteve]

Yes. This is a call to arms. Fight by writing.

[Buddy McCue]

What's strange is that the right usually assumes CNN to be "liberal media."

[stanjz]

Lou Dobb's isn't poor , but he is hateful. We are just getting done with a simple minded president. We don't need another 4 years. We can't handle another 4 years.

[kae]

That is exactly how CNN does it every time - liars - repetition of misinformation - disinformation and propaganda are exactly why we have americans like joe the plumber who actually think McCain's a good idea for the middleclass and the poor-An under-informerd and mis-informed public is a dangerous thing--maybe undereducated racists wouldn't feel "OK" yelling "terrorist" & "kill him" in public if we didn't have corporate news stoking the hate.

[LiquidJak]

I honestly think that most news networks have no idea about what's going on with the misinformation. I honestly don't think they're purposefully spreading misinformation. Fox, on the other-hand, gleefully announces this crap from the highest rooftops. Sooo...
CNN = guilty of doing a poor job
Fox = guilty of being jackasses.

At least CNN puts a concerted effort into showing both sides of the story. Usually

[kmich718]

MSNBC is also in the Republican tank. I am so frustrated with the "news media" I don't know how to fight it. Where can someone turn now a days to get informed unbiasly? Anyone??

[2351]

Yes, I have been concerned when this guy Drew comes the various shows of CNN and issues reports that are obviously biased. Yesterday, one of the commentators was interviewing one of the heads of Acorn(a black lady) and this guy Drew kept interrupting her and trying not to let her talk. CNN has not done enough to get another point of view and continue to report this crap in Drew's view. I hope that Acorn sues them. I agree about Lou Dobbs. He is so sickening. I turn the chanel as soon as he appears. But Fox is worse. Forx is out there telling all kinds of lies about Acorn. When are we going to talk about the voter suppression, which is the real story behind this, not voter fraud.

[nwmother]

I wonder if Drew Griffin of CNN is related to Politico's Tim Griffin (a Karl Rove disciple for many years)? Anyone know?