Crofton Online: Tabloid Media Watch
Gallup Admits Serious Error in Poll; Clinton Positive Personal Rating Still Above 50%; Media Buries Story

Baltimore Sun Continues Ruthless Attacks on President

In an amazing admission yesterday, Frank Newport, editor in chief of the CNN / USA Today / Gallup Poll admitted to errors in their poll which claimed that the President's personal approval rating had dropped from 60% to 40%. He gave the correct figure: the rating had dropped only to 50%. Again, this is the public's personal rating of the President. Mr. Clinton's job approval rating remains above 60%.

Meanwhile, the tabloid Baltimore Sun, which buried the retraction and correction on its back pages, continued its ruthless attack in its news columns on the President and the nation using what some have called "highly unethical" tactics.

The Sun this morning [August 20] listed various international crises facing the United States, then claimed that they were made worse by the "impression" abroad that Mr. Clinton was distracted from his job. The Sun and other tabloids continue to attempt to create an impression, then try to use the impression they have created as justification to call for a resignation or impeachment.

The Sun article again quoted anonymous sources to claim that the White House is in disarray. It also continued to publish its version of grand jury information illegally leaked by Republican Kenneth Starr and his subordinates. Meanwhile Starr is expanding his offices into plush, expensive new office space in the high rent district of our nation's capital.

As the Sun, ABC News, and the other tabloid news organizations continue to see their credibility plummet, calls for action to somehow reign them in without endangering constitutional rights continue. Previously, guarantees of freedom of the press have been restricted to those rich enough to afford a press. The Internet, however, allows all citizens an equal right to speak out.


Read what author Jon Katz says about the battle between the press and the public.


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