Topic: News Coverage

The hosts observe that news coverage of measles outbreaks has largely disappeared following the implementation of mandatory vaccination laws in New York. They suggest this sudden silence is a convenient coincidence for pharmaceutical companies and the government. The segment implies that the media's focus on the issue was a temporary tool to drive legislative changes.

A 2015 clip of Brett Kavanaugh joking that "what happens at Georgetown Prep stays at Georgetown Prep" is identified as a significant piece of media "gold" that has been underutilized by mainstream outlets. The hosts express surprise that even conservative outlets like Fox News are entertaining the idea of delaying the confirmation.

The hosts argue that while their show's format remains consistent, the media landscape has shifted 180 degrees from fawning over the previous administration to hostility toward President Trump. They posit that for some listeners, the stress of modern news cycles and the show's deconstruction of it may be negatively impacting their physical and mental health.

A trend is noted in broadcast journalism where female reporters are increasingly sent into the center of storms to be buffeted by high winds for live shots. The hosts question the logic and safety of these reports, noting that while the public is told to "hunker down" and shelter in place, reporters remain exposed on camera. They suggest that such segments could easily be faked using green screens.

Fox News analyst Charles Krauthammer argues that the American public's expectations regarding health care have fundamentally shifted toward a belief in universal coverage. He suggests that Obamacare, despite its flaws, successfully moved the goalposts, making a market-oriented system difficult to defend. Krauthammer predicts the United States will inevitably move toward a single-payer system within a few years.

A compilation of news clips illustrates the media's reaction to President Donald Trump's 77-minute solo press conference. While critics and news outlets labeled the event as unhinged and disorganized, the hosts suggest the coverage was exaggerated and failed to capture the entertaining nature of the performance.

The mainstream media is characterized as having a complete meltdown over the past few days, leading to a significant loss in public credibility. This period of low trust is expected to be temporary but notable for its perceived failure in objective reporting.

Secretary of State John Kerry suggests that the media could perform a public service by reducing the volume of coverage dedicated to terrorist acts. Kerry argues that if the media covered these events less, the public would be less aware of the "noise" created by terrorists. The hosts interpret this as a desire to minimize distractions from the administration's main agenda.

During his Alaska trip, a salmon spawned on President Obama's shoes while he was holding it for a photo opportunity. Network coverage of the event varied, with some outlets focusing on the lighthearted nature of the incident while others used it to lead into climate change segments.

The EU report recommends teaching "media literacy" in schools and suggests that political actors have a "special responsibility" in triggering news coverage. It proposes that the European Fundamental Rights Agency monitor national media for "pluralism," a move the hosts interpret as a mechanism for state-sanctioned propaganda and monitoring.

A fatal crash at the Reno Air Races involving a 74-year-old pilot resulted in nine deaths and over 50 injuries. Major news networks were criticized for over-covering the event with "gore" and body-part descriptions to fill the weekend news cycle. Despite the tragedy, the pilot was described as highly skilled, and the incident sparked a debate on the safety of air racing and the "wimpification" of media outlets calling for bans on the sport.

Despite the implications for free speech, Fox News has reportedly refused to cover the story of Michael Savage being banned from the UK. Savage is currently suing UK Home Secretary Jackie Smith for libel. The hosts find the lack of coverage from conservative media outlets strange, given Savage's prominence in the industry and the nature of the government's actions.