Topic: Media Whipsaw

The "Whipsaw" is defined as a media tactic where a reporter makes a specific assertion and follows it with a clip that does not actually support the claim. Examples include Nancy Cordes' reporting on Jeff Flake and CBS's coverage of President Trump's law and order comments. An anonymous video editor from Canada defended the practice as a way to make news "entertaining," a claim the hosts vehemently reject as dishonest.

An analysis of a recent NBC Nightly News segment featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci demonstrates a rare instance where a clip actually confirmed the reporter's assertion regarding the timeline for returning to "normality." The hosts contrast this with the "whipsaw" technique, arguing that true journalism should rely on direct confirmation rather than creative editing. They encourage listeners to read the "Whipsaw" essay in the show's newsletter for further deconstruction.

The media's coverage of Michael Cohen's postponed congressional testimony is used to illustrate "whipsaws"—where a reporter's claim is followed by a clip that doesn't actually support the statement. For example, a reporter claimed Elijah Cummings warned the President about witness intimidation, but the subsequent clip only showed Cummings promising that Cohen would eventually testify.

The hosts perform a "whipsaw" deconstruction of an ABC News segment, showing how the network uses clips that don't actually support their assertions. For example, a clip of Rosenstein saying there was no "good cause" to fire Mueller is framed as him "defending" the Special Counsel, which the hosts argue is a logical leap.

Analysis of CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reveals what is described as "whipsaw" reporting and linguistic manipulation regarding Senator Jeff Flake’s retirement speech. The report is criticized for using the term "mutiny" to describe GOP colleagues who remained loyal to President Donald Trump, effectively inverting the traditional definition of the word to fit a specific media narrative.

A media reporting tactic dubbed the "whipsaw" involves cutting between unrelated negative stories to create a psychological association of fraud. An example is cited where NBC transitioned directly from a critical Red Cross report to a Wells Fargo fraud segment. Concerns are raised that massive donations to Harvey relief will deplete funding for smaller, local non-profits.