Press Conference - Paul Waldman

http://www.mediamattersaction.org/fearandloathing
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Paul Waldman has authored or co-authored four books on media and politics, the latest of which is Free Ride: John McCain and the Media. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Senior Fellow at Media Matters Action Network. He is also a columnist for The American Prospect.
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Members of Congress to Address Findings of New Report on Immigration Myths & Cable News

REPORT: "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News"

Washington, D.C. -- This Wednesday, May 21 at noon., Media Matters Action Network, along with several members of Congress and prominent immigration leaders, will hold a press conference to discuss "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News," a new report documenting the troubling ways in which immigration is discussed and debated almost daily on influential cable news channels. The report exposes pervasive anti-immigration vitriol on cable news, as well as a series of myths that feed viewers' unfounded resentments and fears.

DETAILS:

WHO: Paul Waldman, Media Matters Action Network

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA), Chair of Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)

Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA)

Janet Murguía, National Council of La Raza

Frank Sharry, America's Voice

WHAT: Press conference to address the new Media Matters Action Network report, "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News."

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2008 @ noon ET

WHERE: U.S. Capitol

Room HC-6 (Basement Level)

Washington, DC

KEY FINDINGS:

Illegal Immigration and Crime: Although numerous studies have found that immigrants in general commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens, these programs are positively obsessed with the topic. During 2007, the alleged connection between illegal immigration and crime was discussed on 94 episodes of Lou Dobbs Tonight, 66 episodes of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, and 29 episodes of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck.

Illegal Immigration and Social Services: Undocumented immigrants are barred from receiving most federally provided social services and pay a variety of taxes, including sales, property (in the form of rent), and payroll taxes. Yet during 2007, the allegation that undocumented immigrants drain social services and/or don't pay taxes was discussed on 71 episodes of Lou Dobbs Tonight, 13 episodes of Glenn Beck, and eight episodes of The O'Reilly Factor.

Myths and Urban Legends: Dobbs and Beck have perpetuated two related myths, that there are plans to construct a "NAFTA Superhighway" running from Mexico to Canada and that there are plans to join Mexico, Canada, and the United States in a "North American Union." Dobbs has discussed the fictional North American Union on 52 separate programs during the past two years. All three programs, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Glenn Beck, and The O'Reilly Factor, have presented as fact the "reconquista" myth, which states that there is a movement afoot for Mexico to take over the American Southwest.

Unsubstantiated Allegations: On Lou Dobbs Tonight, viewers were told about a mythical explosion of leprosy cases due to illegal immigration and a mythical epidemic of voter fraud due to illegal immigration.

Dobbs Out Front: Of the three hosts examined in detail, Dobbs is the most obsessed with the topic; indeed, fully 70 percent of the 2007 episodes of Lou Dobbs Tonight contained a discussion of illegal immigration.

BACKGROUND:

The report discusses, in detail, two types of myths regarding immigration perpetuated on cable news. The first are the largest and most common myths, such as those about crime and undocumented immigrants, and the costs of illegal immigration in terms of social services and taxes. The second are the urban legends, such as the purported conspiracy to take back the Southwest United States for Mexico and the supposed secret plan to construct a "NAFTA Superhighway" running from Canada to Mexico.

Media Matters Action Network's analysis focuses on CNN's Lou Dobbs, CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck, and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, all of whom have played major roles in fostering anti-immigrant hysteria. While discussions of illegal immigration regularly occur on other cable programs (particularly on Fox News, where it is a frequent topic on Hannity & Colmes and Special Report with Brit Hume), Dobbs, Beck, and O'Reilly are the principal purveyors of immigration misinformation and myths.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• mediamatters
• media
• matters
• bill
• o'reilly
• factor
• fox
• news
• progressive
• watchdog
• paul
• waldman

[JimyRoss]

notice the leader or la raza right behind this guy who sge puppeted to speak for her after being shot down herself by lou dobbs...

[Wabiisabii]

La Raza ! Hes fucking thanking La Raza ! The Race? WTF is he an idiot? That is like the Neo Nazi party of the Mexicans and he thanks them for being there. This guy is just a fucking joke who is payed to argue these bullshit talking points. I know he doesn't live in a border town.

[scharwenka1850]

Let's face it- hispanics are the problem. I have dealt with immigration lawyers, and they are self-serving louses. They love excessive immigration numbers, to increase their own income potential. Crime? Wait until these hispanice punks put a gun to your head, or rip you off. I hate them and they deserve to be kicked out of the U.S.!

[databoney]

Dobbs, Beck, and O'Reilly are Americans. What does Waldman have against Americans?

Every illegal immigrant has committed a violation of the law by definition. These people are outlaws by definition. The fact that they also pay taxes doesn't remove the fact that they have broken federal law.

[Licmycat]

Besides, the media is just catching up. I live amongst these felony illegal aliens and they are criminals!

[Licmycat]

Can't think of anything to say so you pull out the stoopid spelling nazi crap, heh? Well stoopid, I wrote it like that on purpose. Afraid you'll burn in hell for bad spelling? LMAO! What a wimp you are! U knew what it meant didn't you? Or did you? I bet you didn't!!!! LOLOLOLOL!

[deybar]

Oh, I suppose using "stoopider" doesn't say that about you...?

[Licmycat]

Come down here and live in the middle of a big sanctuary part of OkC, like I have to do and let's see how well you champion these hateful 'entitlement' minded people. Putz. Book smart life dumb. College trash.

[Licmycat]

Well; that makes them look even stoopider than I orginally thought.

[hildabeauty]

Thank you for posting this video. I am here confused and ungry, because one of my friends was murdered by 5 young white kids in shenandoah pa, while yelling " tell your friends to go back to mexico". that is the third hate crime this year. Just posting this video is an action that give people like me, a little confort. I have tryed to explain, co workers and neighboors these facts. their ignorance is so great, that they wont understand. Thanks god bless you millions

[deybar]

CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS MSG: You are a bed of perpetual ignorance. These fear mongerer's if you will, feed you manure and you love it. Lou Dobbs is married to an immigrant himself, but he's not complaining, he's fear mongering all the way to the bank, dumb fuck!