CNN’s former so-called media critic Brian Stelter has recently reappeared for an interview on CNN. Stelter had used his CNN show, the misnamed “Reliable Sources,” to drive leftwing Democrat narratives – often without any connection to the media issues his was hired to cover. Stelter was also a first-class whiner in presenting his biased viewpoints. He has a personality that makes one believe he got a lot of “wedgies” in his youthful days – and deserved them.
As part of the new CNN owners’ efforts to reverse CNN’s precipitous drop in ratings, they fired Stelter – among others. All good moves – especially Stelter. It is ironic that CNN would give their discredited media critic more face time.
Like so many others who lost their national television platforms, Stelter moved from the spotlight to the dim shadow of media irrelevancy. At last look, Stelter was a “correspondent” for Vanity Fair.
Stelter’s recent appearance on CNN morning show was occasioned by a new book, “Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for American Democracy.” Whew! Stelter packs a lot of his bias baggage into one book title – which he self-describes as an “epic” story.
It is nothing more than a compilation of opinions about Fox News that he regurgitated for far too long on CNN. In a desperate attempt to get a “hook” for the latest leftwing propaganda rant, Stelter ties Fox News into the Democrats latest hysterical mendacious narrative about the end of Democracy if Trump and Republicans win any election in 2024.
In his CNN interview, Stelter claims that the American Republic will fall to a fascist dictatorship headed by Trump – who will declare himself President for Life. This fantastical narrative oozes from Democrat politicians and leftwing newsies at every opportunity. It is the leftwing’s version of a big lie that needs to be repeated … and repeated … and repeated … and repeated … and repeated … and repeated.
No matter how many times that campaign narrative is repeated, the American Republic is not in danger of ending (any more than it has been due to progressive big government policies for generations). It was not in danger on January 6, 2021 – and it is not in danger now.
That is not Stelter’s message, however. He joins the Democrat propaganda chorus by claiming that the 2024 presidential election will decide the future of American democracy. He even made that mendacious narrative part of the title of his book.
Ironically, Stelter engages in projection in accusing conservative media of using journalism “to advance far-fetched theories in a cloak of legitimacy.” From my perspective that is a perfect description of leftwing so-called news platforms – and much of what Stelter peddles.
Stelter admits to the left’s use of “virtue signaling” to influence public opinion. As an expression of optimism, Stelter said that “some people can still be shamed into doing the thing.” Of course, the “right thing” is determined by his personal viewpoint.
I did get a chuckle when Stelter happily reported that the influence of Tucker Carlson has been greatly reduced by being booted from Fox News. That is true. However, Stelter seems to have missed the irony of his own influence being greatly diminished by being booted off of CNN.
Stelter claims that despite his retirement, Ruppert Murdock will rule over Fox News until the day he dies. His son, Lachlan, who Ruppert groomed to take over, will guide the media enterprise in the same direction as his father. When Ruppert has his earthly subscription cancelled, Stelter predicts a fight for control of the company from Ruppert’s other more liberal son, James.
The entire interview with Stelter served as further evidence of the correctness of CNN management in kicking Stelter into the shadows of journalist irrelevancy.
So, there ‘tis.