Last week, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announced he was running for president in 2016. Sanders, the longest-serving independent in congressional history, and self-described democratic socialist, will run as a Democrat.
This is a big news story. But you wouldn’t know it listening to NPR.
As of May 5th, NPR had aired a grand total of four reports on Sanders’ candidacy. Contrast this with upwards of 30 reports on Hillary Clinton’s campaign since she announced her candidacy last month.
Can you say “playing favorites?” Sure you can.
The first brief mention of Sanders’ announcement was buried in a story on union opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a report that was skewed toward Mrs. Clinton, despite her warm embrace of the trade deal.
Subsequent reports fared no better. Ailsa Chang’s story on Morning Edition simply re-purposed an interview with Mr. Sanders from last summer. This is lazy reporting, plain and simple.
Then there’s Mara Liasson’s story on All Things Considered. Headlined “Why Hillary Clinton is Just Fine with Bernie Sanders’ Candidacy,” Liasson’s “report” sounds more like a Clinton press release than substantive political analysis.
All of which begs the question: Will NPR cover the Democratic race in a fair and accurate fashion, or is the news organization content to propagate the narrative of inevitability that Mrs. Clinton enjoys, but certainly doesn’t deserve?
After all, Hillary was a sure thing in 2008; but things change. Here’s hoping NPR’s coverage of the 2016 campaign does so as well.
Sources
Chang, A. (29 April 2015). “Seeking Presidency, ‘Socialist’ Sanders Looks to Elevate Less-Talked About Issues.” Morning Edition.
Gonyea, D. & Montanaro, D. (28 April 2015). “Union Head Presses Candidates, Clinton, on Trade.” All Things Considered.
Liasson, M. (30 April 2015). “Why Hillary Clinton is Just Fine with Bernie Sanders’s Candidacy.” All Things Considered.
