×

Reading between the lines

The Clinton administration taught the American people the art of spinning the news. President Trump taught the American people about fake news. Having watched the television news and read newspapers and magazines for years, I’ve come to see examples of both.

One recent example that I found was in a recent edition of the Sun-Gazette’s sports page. The article was entitled “Texan’s Novak horrified by Charlottesville violence.” In the article the Associated Press reported that Houston Texans kicker Nick Novak, who grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, was horrified by what happened in his hometown recently.

The article went on to say that Novak discussed the issue with reporters after a car crashed into a crowd of people “peacefully” protesting a white nationalist rally. The “peaceful” protesters were supposed to be the counter protesters to the white nationalist group.

But in the August 15th edition, the Sun-Gazette features a photo of a counter protester using a lighted spray can against a white nationalist demonstrator like it’s a blow torch. Somehow I find it hard to believe that the counter protester in this case came to protest “peacefully” at a demonstration using what appears to be a “MacGyver styled” blow torch on the white nationalists he opposes. That’s just not someone who came to protest peacefully to me.

I’ve become a bit of a skeptic when it comes to many AP stories as they seem to inject adjectives in their stories that simply doesn’t align with the activity taking place. Over the years, I’ve felt I had gotten a better education from reading newspapers and magazines, something I probably wouldn’t have gotten going to a prestigious college or university.

Hugh E. McGee

Williamsport

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today