Organizing for America Rally in St. Louis

Media coverage sucks so far (3.00 / 1)

Given that the media has allowed a minority of fringers to hijack the debate through what you aptly term brownshirt tactics, good media coverage is important for pro-reform  rallies.  So I wasn't too happy when I checked to see what the coverage looked like this morning (I welcome corrections if I missed anything important):

No coverage of this in the Post-Dispatch today that I could find.  KMOV (ch. 4), which covered the comparatively small tea parties very sympathetically, also doesn't seem to have any coverage -- at least that I can find mentioned on the KMOV Website.

Judging again by Websites, some TV stations did offer coverage, but it seriously differed in emphasis from your report above which goes to show what an impediment local media biases will be to getting real reform:

KSDK (Ch. 5) covered it this same emphasis on presenting "both sides" throughout":

Tonight, hundreds gathered in St. Louis for a rally in support of insurance reform. Meanwhile, those against it gathered too.

Police did keep an eye on things tonight. But the event went smoothly, those who attended were vocal and not violent. They stood their ground. On one side of the street, those in favor of healthcare reform. On the other side of the street, those opposed.

The  Fox (Ch. 2) coverage would almost lead one to think that it was an anti-reform protest.  Some selected quotes:

Both sides of the health care debate lined the street outside a south St. Louis union hall on Sunday night shouting back and forth, each side trying to drown the other one out. ...

Supporters want a public option but there are plenty of critics who are joining forces with demonstrator opposed to any government run plan.

"It's exasperation with the growth of government beyond its means," said Bill Hennessy, demonstrator.

...

Democrats hoped the rally would give lawmakers a reason to stay with the President without worrying about being re-elected.

"This is about sending our congressmen and women back to Washington D.C knowing that there is a lot of support out there for this," said Jeremy Bird, Organizing for America.

Demonstrators feel a different message will be heard.

"Absolutely the message we hope gets heard is there is going to be a 100 seat turnover in congress if they don't stop this march to socialism," said Hennessy

Channel 11's website just reprints the coverage that went up on the Fox site -- although it looks a little better in the video than it reads.

Fox says it best -- with no apparent trace of irony:

Both sides think they're right so in the end it might depend on which side is more effective explaining their point of view.'

Well duh ... and if the media is in the can for one of the sides (like the 75 anti-reform protesters you report above as oppsed to the 1500 pro-reform folks)  it stands to reason that that side might end up more effective.

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by: WillyK @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 17:50:16 PM UTC

i agree, but... (3.00 / 1)

I don't think we should focus on the bad(MSM coverage), instead, I think we need a collective pat on the back for turning out HUGE numbers.  

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by: dissonantdissident @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 19:57:37 PM UTC

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I agree you all deserve many pats on backs for getting the crowd (0.00 / 0)

out there ... but isn't it the old tree falling unheard in the forest situation ... and isn't the next challenge is to be sure that the story that these events represent gets out there where it can affect the larger narrative that is being built around the health care reform effort?

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by: WillyK @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 20:46:34 PM UTC

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we'll do it (0.00 / 0)

but it will take sustained work.  we've got a long way to go, but i think everyone has to feel better about our chances, after last night.

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by: dissonantdissident @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 21:38:47 PM UTC

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You're right ... (0.00 / 0)

but I think we need to hit back at the MSM media.  I am phoning PD and asking where there reporters were -- are they only interested in events dominated by anti-reformers?

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by: WillyK @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 21:42:59 PM UTC

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Yes. (0.00 / 0)

...are they only interested in events dominated by anti-reformers?

This has been another edition of simple answers to simple questions.

543,895 votes

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by: Michael Bersin @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 21:48:46 PM UTC

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They like the friction! (0.00 / 0)

Lovely vid and text!!  TY!!

The MsM will never get to the core of the issue, it's about the controversy, the spin.  We rocked. We will continue to rock.  Wednesday there is going to be a vigil at Tower Grove Park.  We will have MORE people at that one.  Write that shit down.

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by: UMSL Blog @ Mon Aug 31, 2009 at 22:23:17 PM UTC

St. Louis Beacon had full coverage of rally and photos (0.00 / 0)

For all of you upset with the coverage, or lack of, of Sunday night's rally, please check out the St. Louis Beacon -- stlbeacon.org.

We posted a detailed story, with several photos, about Sunday night's event.

We also had detailed coverage, with photos, of the opposition's Aug. 22 rallies outside some congressional offices here.

We're a nonprofit, nonpartisan Web site with regular coverage of issues -- and politics -- in the St. Louis area.
Please check us out.  

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by: jomannies @ Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 05:53:47 AM UTC

Here's the link to our story: http://www.stlbeacon.org/beacon_backroom/local_advocates_seeking_changes_in_health_care_turn_out_to_greet_dnc_bus#comments (0.00 / 0)

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by: jomannies @ Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 06:10:23 AM UTC

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Thanks for posting this (3.00 / 1)

I saw you there, so I thought it was strange when earlier there wasn't an article on the STL Beacon.

One point in your article bothered me:

Critics generally characterize the Democratic proposals as too costly and promoting too much government control. Some opponents also assert that the chief proposals also could lead to rationing and public spending on abortions -- accusations that Obama and other Democrats have publicly denied.

Opponents assert things, but they can't cite a portion of the bill which shows that tax dollars will be spent on abortion, or that the government will ration health care any more than an insurance company does. The public option will be paid for by premiums, so if you don't your money goes toward abortions, make sure your insurance provider (public or private) doesn't cover abortions. They also fail to mention that the House bill is deficit neutral yet contains a public option, and bills without the public option cost a lot more.

Now, you aren't the one making the opponents' arguments, but you are inserting their unsupported charges in the article. The reader sees those and might think that they are valid criticisms, when they in fact have little relation to reality.

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by: Clark @ Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 11:21:38 AM UTC

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