We provide an on-going capsule of newsprint headlines that seem intended to mislead the reader. This failure to reflect accurate information may be due to poor factual data, incompetent report writing or newspaper owner political bias. We think it may be all three–to some extent–with the main reason politically inspired mis-reporting. As we near election day this practice of wrong-headed story-telling will certainly worsen. So, expect more of these headlines. Maybe you’ve seen some as well. The theme is: mislead with the headline and then tell more complete information well down in the article. Newspaper owners know that the vast majority of news readers look only at the headlines so truth can be mentioned in the article and it won’t harm the intent of the newspaper owner. Todays examples:
(1) HEADLINE: FED SEEN SLIMMING RATE CUT PACE AFTER STRONG JOBS REPORT (USA TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024): The negative tone of this headline suggests that the rate cuts are over. This is exactly the opposite of what the article indicated. Chairman Powell stated that to maintain the strong job growth it is very possible that the Fed may cut the prime rate at it’s November, 2024 meeting. The GOP didn’t want you going to the polls with an attitude that was too positive so they played down the potential November rate cut.
(2) HEADLINE: PENNSYLVANIA GAS PRODUCERS PRESS HARRIS FOR ANSWERS (USA TODAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024): Again, the negative tone as a starting point for the Harris policy on gas exploration. Kamala Harris stated that her administration would balance the country’s energy needs, the environment, and foreign energy dependence as she forms her policy, Circumstances change and she wants to be free to adjust energy policy as those changes occur. This scares some energy providers because they want certainty that Harris will side with them. A recent criticism of her attitude is that she recently indicated that she no longer supports a ban on fracking. In truth, she opposed fracking when she was the Attorney General for California because of the harm she felt off-shore fracking could inflict on the environment and tourism. To us–that’s sounds like the right attitude for anyone in her job at that time.
A final note: mis-information will be rampant as November nears. Artificial Intelligence, foreign interference, GOP lies and a continuing onslaught of misleading headlines will dominate the news world. Think before you judge. Consider the source of your info and look for other reputable sources to confirm what you think you know. This election is too important to be decided by misunderstandings and confusion. Be an informed voter.
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