I'm starting to get increasingly concerned about the news coverage of the shutdown and debt ceiling.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

What I'm seeing from CNN and CBS and the like when I flip channels are a lot of stories that do nothing to label the bullshit crises as forced upon us by the GOP. Instead, "Shutdown: Obama still won't negotiate with GOP" followed by Boehner mouthing a bunch of talking points.

Even if it was just labeled as "the Tea Party initiated shutdown/showdown" or whatever that would set the context.

If you watch news junkie shows like Maddow or Chris Hayes you will see good explanations of what is happening, but the big news organ reporting just seems lazy and full of the bogus "both sides suck" fake balance we've become so used to.

I worry that this kind of coverage will lead to an increasing perception over time that both parties are somehow equally responsible to compromise instead of seeing this as a hijacking or hostage taking by sore GOP losers who can't get the seats and votes they need to accomplish their goals through accepted means. I am legitimately worried about this.

[Earth_First]

1. Rinse and repeat.

A vicious cycle which has created a mockery of what journalism once was.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. It's nothing new - think of who is funding those right wing noise machine platforms...

Big right wing money.

[Junkdrawer]

3. I'm beginning to think corporations have an undue influence on the news...

[Bjorn Against]

4. I think Obama needs to schedule a primetime address to Congress

He needs to talk to Congress directly with the whole nation watching, take 45 minutes to an hour and spell out the case to the American people. The Republicans won't know what hit them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Yes indeed.

Lay it out to a prime time national audience, loud and clear.

[DireStrike]

8. Yep.

[steve2470]

10. agreed ! nt

[leveymg]

6. Wall St really loves the Sequester and partial shutdown. MSM reflects the boss' sentiments.

The only thing that spooks them is the (slim) possibility of a Debt default.

[grasswire]

7. there could be a counter to this, and that counter is political theater

A DUer has suggested holding a mock vote on the steps of the Capitol building, with either real congresscritters or stand-ins holding a vote right then and there on a CR.

Cameras rolling, media coverage.

Political theater can demonstrate a squishy concept.

This mock election could change that meme you decry.

[DireStrike]

9. CNN... does anyone even work there besides hair stylists and makeup artists?

If this is how the news operates, it's time to start lying.

[spanone]

11. the media is not our friend. de-regulation destroyed what journalistic integrity it had.

[cui bono]

12. And unfortunately Dems keep replying with "we won't negotiate with a gun to our heads"

instead of "we already negotiated". Or anything else that doesn't start with "we won't negotiate".

Really wish the Dems would finally start learning how to message and play the soundbite game since it's here and we need to deal with it.