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* The Sun-Times editorial board says Gov. Rauner owes WBEZ an apology for claiming that it canceled his monthly interview show over partisan politics. The paper also picked up on this recent Rauner quote…
What’s frustrating to me and many people around the state is how biased a lot of the media is around Chicago, around the state. Biased for the status quo. Biased for, you know, against the changes that we’re recommending. The bias is, is hard to overcome.
The paper opines…
We stake our livelihood, as journalists, on the notion that facts matter, but an awful lot of people don’t seem to agree. The president’s constant harangue about “fake news” — when the news is anything but — has gotten serious traction. It’s even become an American export, used by brutal strongmen around the world to deflect any honest criticism.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, among others, have all in recent months complained of “fake news.”
Does Gov. Rauner really want to go down that low road?
There is a reason the charge of “fake news” sells in countries where democracy goes to die.
Seems a bit dramatic.
Either way, the governor really needs to stop whining and deflecting blame about almost everything under the sun. It’s just so tiresome.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:13 am
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=== Does Gov. Rauner really want to go down that low road? ===
Rauner has been driving down that road on his bike for a long time.
Don’t hold your breath that Rauner will take any responsible action.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:17 am
I don’t think the comment is dramatic at all. The goal here is to undermine institutions and convince people that you’re the singular source of truth. That’s not the hallmark of democracy, it’s the calling card of dictators. And we need to be a lot more dramatic in calling it out as I absolutely believe that our democracy depends on it.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:17 am
“If you’re not with me, you’re against me.”- Gov. Victim
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:17 am
Rauner creates his own Fake News. He did it just the other day on WJBF (hat tip to Bernie’s story in the SJ-R)-
http://www.wjpf.com/episode/newsradio-wjpf-interview-with-bruce-rauner-2/
About the 8:30 mark is where Rauner talks about the Normal plant and a “ghost” conversation with a UAW worker. The entire interview is a Madigan Rant and full of Mad Libs. Lots of paltering from our Volunteer in Chief.
And if there was no sale of the Mitsubishi plant, then I guess all this is “Fake News”, too-
https://tinyurl.com/y74vfaw4
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:22 am
I want WBEZ to apologize to me for cutting out Jazz (lucky there is WDCB)….
Good luck with that.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:26 am
Media biased against him and his agenda???? The Tribune has basically been his communications department for 3 years. I would hope that Hurricane Kristen is disappointed by this comment.
Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:26 am
Complaining about the biased media? The journey into Trumpland continues. Let’s see how that works out for the Gov…
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:26 am
If there’s a low road to take, Rauner will find it.
Comment by Benny Annajets Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:27 am
I can see this guy, sometime early next fall, when it’s all but obvious he’s going to get nuked by Pritzker going full right-wing agenda and razing/alienating his few remaining supporters.
Their stunned reaction will be priceless.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:32 am
This is a counterexample to the phenomenon that the Sun-Times writes largely absurd and terrible articles, except for their reasoned editorial board, and that the Tribune runs okay stories except for their awful editorial board. It is very rich for them to talk about “facts,” which are not a thing. We are in a post-truth world, and they are well aware of it.
Comment by Chris Widger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:33 am
Apology, please. They all big boys and girls, deal with it. While Rauner has all the smoothness of sandpaper on a bare bottom he’s not wrong on the lack of fairness from most of the media. Look at how they shape their stories, far too often it isn’t reporting on an event rather they offer opinion on the event. That’s fine but don’t try to suggest you’re being objective. However, that still doesn’t negate the fact that Mr. Rauner has displayed no facility whatsoever in actually governing the state and blaming the media won’t fix that.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:36 am
The irony in this entire entire tirade against the “biased media” is the fact that for the first two years of his Administration he was largely given a pass.
The media dutifully repeated his remarks without questioning the veracity of his statements and very few, if any, reporters would ever do follow up questions or question his “facts” or his assertions.
Comment by illini Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:40 am
“far too often it isn’t reporting on an event rather they offer opinion on the event”
Since you’re going with “far too often” going to need multiple citations.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:45 am
There’s another part to what the Sun Times is saying — that the notion of fake news “has gotten serious traction.” People refuse to credit information or information source that contradicts what they want to believe. In my classes, after studying research findings (e.g., on global warming), students will continue to maintain that it isn’t happening because “it’s not what I believe.” Or because “I know what I know.” A democratic republic depends on informed citizens who are moderately capable and willing to engage in critical thinking. This whole fake news thing is an indication that large numbers of people lack either the capacity or (more alarmingly) the inclination to do so.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:46 am
“When Gallup first asked this question in 1998, over half of both Republicans (52%) and Democrats (53%) believed news organizations generally got the facts straight.”
“This year, only 14% of Republicans believe the news media get the facts straight, down 21 points from 2003″
“More broadly, the finding that a solid majority of the country believes major news organizations routinely produce false information is one with potentially significant consequences. As one example, these views may be related to Americans’ diminished trust in most major U.S. institutions and rising cynicism about the U.S. political system and elected officials.”
Not surprising the media is being criticized by Republicans and not just Trump.
http://news.gallup.com/poll/216320/republicans-democrats-views-media-accuracy-diverge.aspx
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:50 am
Perhaps “Never PC” can’t tell the difference between a news article and an analysis or opinion piece. . .
Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:51 am
The Sun-Times is correct re Venezuela. I spend a few hours each day reading Vzlan newspapers online. Maduro is always complaining about “fake news” and how the negative events taking place in that country are never his fault, but the fault of the Vzlan opposition and, of course, the “gringos.”
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:53 am
===Seems a bit dramatic.===
History shows the decent into darkness is seldom instantaneous. Starting to go down the road doesn’t mean that the destination of Russia or Venezeula has been reached.
Rauner’s not Putin or Maduro, but he’s shown us what he is - constant lies, unwillingness to accept or acknowledge responsibility for anything negative that happens on his watch, blaming of others and creating his own reality.
People like Rauner, who want an obsequious press, deserve hard pushback.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:54 am
My recollection is a little fuzzy on Rauner’s claims of “fake news”. Did he think that the Sun-Times’ endorsement (to the point of reversing its ‘non-endorsement policy’) of him in 2014 was “fake news”, or did he tout it as one of his accomplishments? Is the Tribune, which often shamelessly mirrors Rauner’s talking points, fake news? To Rauner and Trump, anyone that disagrees with them is either the enemy, fake news, or both.
Comment by toothlesstiger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:57 am
LP - When a party and their President overtly favor one media outlet over all others you’re going to get a general distrust of the “mainstream” media. It’s a tactic that’s served Pravda well over the decades.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:00 am
The media do not have to create negative headlines for Rauner ….. he does it all on his own
Comment by theq Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:00 am
It seems a bit dramatic because it is dramatic. The media may want to do a small bit of self reflection and try to understand why 50% of the country doesn’t trust anything they have to say.
The Governor on the other hand shouldn’t be playing the victim game over and over again. It’s pitiful. He should understand that the media have a role to play, and they can be your friend if you know how to build relationships. Obviously in the political realm the Governor is a failure at that aspect of this job.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:04 am
I wouldn’t call this “a bit dramatic.” This is a serious threat to critical journalism, and Republicans thrive at calling out every instance of critical news as fake news and cheering about it. To quote the best of the three prequel Star Wars movies: “So, this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.”
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:05 am
While listening to WXRT, I realized they were against Rauner too. I mean, what else would explain the following U2 lyrics?
Lincoln’s ghost said
Get out of your own way
Comment by AC Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:13 am
=== Does Gov. Rauner really want to go down that low road? ===
You haven’t seen nothing yet. Just wait until Rauner loses and goes on a Hillary style “apology tour” …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:14 am
==When a party and their President overtly favor one media outlet over all others you’re going to get a general distrust of the “mainstream” media==
The general distrust of media (and public institutions) is something that has been increasing for quite a while, on *both* ends of the political spectrum. Trump and Fox know how to use it, but it’s not new with them.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:23 am
And when the governor blatantly lies that his radio program was ended due to Democrat influences it only encourages distrust. We’re being played here and it’s not the media’s doing.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:41 am
When you can’t beat them with facts beat THEM.
That is the thinking of pretty much any despot. It is a verifiable and Well studied. The path is not generally sustainable without significant terror(usually in the form of secret police type tactics) and even then none of these forms of power sustains indefinitely. And the fall can be very ugly,
The Sun- Times is not the best standard bearer for truth and integrity in journalism.
Given the countries documented sinking opinion of our current leader it does not seem to be working. Rauner would be wise to abandon that ship but me thinks he will ride it all the way to the bottom.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Media bias is real and palpable. Have you seen the Washington Post lately? Disgraceful.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Billionaires don’t apologize if they are of Rauners ilk. Agree with those above who rightfully slam lazy, enabling press early on who gave this jerk the appearance of decency and competency, both of which are best example of ‘fake news’.
Comment by WasAnon Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:42 pm
===Have you seen the Washington Post lately?===
I’m sure at least RM Nixon would agree with you. When a paper, sun times or wapo, is not subservient to you guy then they are biased?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:47 pm
You need to consider your own bias if what you think is negative press is slanted against you and what you think is positive press is truth.
Rauner requires a press to help him propagate his destruction of Illinois. Diana Rauner knows this too, getting actively involved in messaging that also meant cocktail parties were easier to attend.
Rauner has now taken the tact of the fact that WBEZ and his office agreed to stop the program come election time to the one-sided Rauner belief(s) that allow the victimhood to be a pillar of Raunerism, that Democrats are thwarting his “popular” agenda and he (Rauner) isn’t in charge.
Rauner is dishonest to the honesty of what was considered a great program and why it stopped.
Rauner “owes” an apology to the honest agreement and misconstrueding it. Nothing more harrowing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:04 pm
Donna Brazile destroyed any chance that any major news network would have the right to lay claim to the truth or to impartiality. Everyone’s peddling for a point of view or, more likely, a politician. Just be better at it. If you’re a fan of a politician and he’s not lying, he’s a bad politician.
Comment by Chris Widger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:09 pm
===If there’s a low road to take, Rauner will find it.===
He’ll pave it.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:54 pm
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that Rauner is going to lose the general election next year. Very low poll numbers but also the residents want change and that change is not republican. Trump and the recent tax reform plays a roll in this. The progressive movement plays a roll in this.
Comment by Illinois Resident Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:05 pm
The Sun-Times is showing some remorse for being in the tank for Rauner when his buddy Ferro ran things.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Look at the polling on tax and spend Cook County Democrats and tell us why they will pick up seats in the GA and the Governor’s Office.
They are less popular than Governor Rauner
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:09 pm
“Look at the polling on tax and spend Cook County Democrats and tell us why they will pick up seats in the GA and the Governor’s Office. They are less popular than Governor Rauner”
The general assembly in Illinois is Democratic controlled and that is not changing whether some are popular or not. Same can be said for places in the country like Kansas for republicans. What has Rauner done to make our state better? A majority of Illinois citizens want social progress, criminal justice reform, legal cannabis, medicare for all, and a fair tax system, ie not flat tax; progressive tax. Republicans are not the answer for these policies that a majority of citizens want.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 2:56 pm
The guy lied publicly about why a show he was part of was cancelled. He lied for personal political gain.
He then got caught.
Now it’s a novel idea for a lying politician to apologize, but I’ll give the Sun-Times props for suggesting it.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 3:01 pm
Anonymous, more than any of those issues Illinois residents do not want more tax increases to please Democratic special interest groups.
They also want a healthier economy that will create pressure for higher wages so they can afford to live here.
Democrats have forgotten about these concerns
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 3:43 pm
Madigan and the public radio pledge drives he controls.
Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 3:46 pm
==the governor really needs to stop whining and deflecting blame about almost everything under the sun. It’s just so tiresome.==
This all day long. He Governor “I’m not in charge and nothing is my fault.” Heckuva leader.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 3:51 pm
Dramatic. But not untrue.
Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 3:52 pm
“Anonymous, more than any of those issues Illinois residents do not want more tax increases to please Democratic special interest groups. They also want a healthier economy that will create pressure for higher wages so they can afford to live here. Democrats have forgotten about these concerns”
Legalizing cannabis helps those issues and last time I checked a large number of democrats were on board. Not so much with Republicans including Rauner which does not make sense when you want jobs and a thriving economy like Colorado but are not willing to change policy.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 5:11 pm
this could of all been avoided if tronc didn’t publish lies, where is tronc’s apology
Comment by Rabid Friday, Dec 22, 17 @ 6:33 am