CNN’s Brian Stelter is apparently struggling with the definition of “patriotism” as he delivered an obviously partisan commentary on the state of journalism in the wake of tensions with Iran.
The host of “Reliable Sources” made the case that “patriotism is alive and well in America’s newsrooms” during his monologue Sunday as he argued that this entails questioning everything President Trump has to say because “lying seems to be this government’s specialty.”
Don’t be fooled by the propagandists who want us to wear blinders. It is patriotic to ask for evidence. To question official accounts. To wonder if the public is being manipulated into a wider war. It is patriotic to hold our leaders accountable. pic.twitter.com/ntA1una7lq
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 5, 2020
Stelter attacked the Trump administration’s “track record” on truth as he turned attention to the latest crisis with Iran following a deadly drone strike ordered by the president which killed a top Iranian military commander.
“As many people have pointed out this week, a crisis like this one is precisely when credibility is needed the most — and Trump doesn’t have it,” he said.
“Reporters need to avoid being cynical. We have to avoid being cynical we have to question everything, especially with memories of the leadup to the Iraq War. Journalistic values demand that skepticism and patriotism demands it,” Stelter added with a straight face.
“Let’s talk about patriotism for a minute,” he continued as if talking to a classroom of ignorant students.
“Don’t be fooled by the propagandists who are going to tell you to wear blinders in the days and weeks and months ahead. They’re already starting to do this. They’re starting to tell you just rally around the flag,” he said.
“But it is patriotic to ask for evidence. It is patriotic to question official accounts, to wonder if the public is being manipulated into a wider war. It is patriotic to ask — as Fox’s Tucker Carlson did the other day — Who’s actually benefiting from this?” Stelter went on, referring to Carlson’s “anti-war stance” during his Fox News show monologue.
“It is patriotic to hold our leaders accountable,” Stelter declared, apparently blocking out how questions about accountability in Benghazi a few years ago have been deemed anything but patriotic to the left.
STELTER says “patriotism is alive and well in America’s newsrooms.” Really? Then why do they always dismiss “Death to America” as if the Iranians don’t really mean it? What if they cried to “Death to Journalists”? https://t.co/jtpkjHXicy
— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) January 6, 2020
“But you are going to hear otherwise and you already are. It is already starting,” the CNN host said, playing a clip of Fox News’ Pete Hegseth bemoaning that it “feels like patriotism is largely dead among our journalism corps.”
“Pete, patriotism is alive and well in America’s newsrooms. But I suspect that kind of talk is going to keep up,” Stelter said smugly. “If this gets worse, if more missiles fly, the American press will come under more and more pressure to rally around the flag, to toe the line, and to save their questions for later. But, now is the time, right now, to insist on evidence and accountability.”
But with a trove of former Democratic officials and pundits making up the ranks of CNN’s team of political analysts, things are more partisan than patriotic at the network. And though Stelter condescendingly lectures journalists about being tough with their questions and demands for accountability, that is apparently only when it relates to Republicans or anyone else backing Trump.
The brand of patriotism CNN and other leftist media outlets have been demonstrating has been clearly one aimed at discrediting the president of the United States while giving America’s enemies the benefit of the doubt.
Apparently the definition of “patriotism” has been changed to hating Conservatives and shilling for Socialism.https://t.co/Da7IDMKb5d
— Dean (@quixxdraw) January 6, 2020
Don’t be fooled by fake news. It’s patriotic to question biased press who gives 91% negative coverage of @realDonaldTrump We need to hold left-wing propagandists accountable for the hate of us “deplorables.” Their “news” is delivered straight from the bull’s behind to the TV. https://t.co/h58RSoMJKV
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 5, 2020
So why wasn’t questions asked when Obama was president? Remember those drone strikes. Suddenly now we should ask! Once again blatant bias in the media.
— Painters Of Light (@OfPainters) January 5, 2020
@brianstelter it’s patriotic to wait for THE FACTS before stirring up hate with fake news. It’s patriotic to trust the people who gathered the info & those who were involved in the decision; that they are doing what’s in the best interests & safety of the USA. Report FACTS.
— Dee Johnson (@1deej56) January 5, 2020
And just like that, the Left thinks evidence is important and shouldn’t be kept in a SCIF underneath the Capitol…….
— #USA #USA xformed (@xformed) January 5, 2020
Just not on the “War Criminals Are Misunderstood Heroes” network.
— csd (@csd) January 6, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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