Right-To-Work Myths Unchallenged In Ohio Media

[limpyhobbler]

Major Ohio newspapers used right-wing framing to cover the re-emergence of a right-to-work movement in the state after recent right-to-work victories in Indiana and Michigan. Though the narrative is only just developing, the Toledo Blade and the Cincinnati Enquirer already failed to challenge the veracity of statements from the movement's special interest supporters.

The Cincinnati Enquirer parroted the demand of the state and regional chambers of commerce that right-to-work in Ohio "needs the law to compete" with Indiana and Michigan." From the December 11 article:
...

The assertion made by the Ohio chambers and the Tea Party source -- that Ohio won't be able to remain competitive without a right-to-work law now that its neighbors have passed them -- will likely be repeated in the coming months, even though it runs contrary to expert opinion.

The Center for American Progress and the Economic Policy Institute both found that right-to-work laws have "no significant positive impact" on employment and "no statistically significant impact" on job growth. Hofstra University professor Lonnie Stevans found that right-to-work laws yield "little or no gain in employment and real economic growth," and studies show that right-to-work states have lower wages among both union and non-union workers...

click on thru-> http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/12/12/right-to-work-myths-unchallenged-in-ohio-media/191817

[DarkBlue4Ever]

1. Like Casinos

I was discussing the passage of casino availability here with someone who is of a different political ilk. Why vote for casinos? Oh, because the money was going to neighboring states. It sounds like the same type of reasoning will be applied to "right to work" as well. There must be a way to keep the language in local papers HONEST. Casinos are one thing; destroying union rights / middle class rights through clever wording sounds like the work of behind-the-scenes teapublican money.

No GOPers will be fazed by fact-checking, so there needs to be a plan for regular people to call out the papers on their b.s. Also, the last thing Ohio needs is another midterm election where Dems stay home.

Any thoughts/ideas on how to motivate dems to hold local papers responsible AND to come to the polls in 2014?

[limpyhobbler]

2. That's actually a really good thought.

Letter to the editor maybe? Send them a copy of the mediamatters article, so they can make sure their reporters do their job right. Welcome to DU.

[hrmjustin]

3. Welcome to DU and I hope you enjoy the site.

[ladym55]

4. Yeah. Ohio needs lower wages for its people

Ohio media does what its corporate owners tell it to do. Don't expect thought or journalism from any of them. Not capable.