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The arrest of a suspect in the mailing of explosive devices targeting high-profile Democratic figures and CNN led to a remarkable day in the media.
Authorities made an arrest in connection with the mailing of explosive devices Friday, and before we even knew the suspect’s name, the blame game began on social media — and in some cases, on more-traditional media, as well.
But there was also some taking stock, even something close to apologies by high-profile media figures (hello, Geraldo Rivera). It was a remarkable day in media — if you were ever going to lose your morning talk show for making racially insensitive remarks and you wanted that story buried, this was the day for it (hello, Megyn Kelly).
Cesar Sayoc, 56, was arrested in Florida and charged with five federal crimes related to the mailing of the packages to former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, CNN’s New York offices and more.
RELATED:Flake threatened on social media by Cesar Sayoc
All of the recipients of the devices have been criticized by President Donald Trump (or vice versa), which immediately brought a political element into the investigation — and into the media coverage of it. Liberals immediately blamed Trump’s rally rhetoric for the mailings. And some far-right media figures just as quickly accused Democrats of a “false flag” operation: Sending the packages to place blame on conservatives and generate sympathy for the targets.
And, like a lot of fringe theories these days, that gradually worked its way into more mainstream media. This led to a kind-of, sort-of apology from Rivera on Friday after the arrest, which was in some ways surprising simply because it exists. It flies in the face of what has become the normal course of action even when your nut-case theory is proved wrong: Take advice from a Bruce Springsteen song — no retreat, baby, no surrender.
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And certainly, never apologize.
Celebs sound off on Twitter
Yet there was Rivera, tweeting this:
“Never mind; outsmarted myself in conjuring false flag operation designed to hurt @realDonaldTrump & #GOP. Actual alleged perp 56-year old #CesarSayoc is apparently stereotype most media assumed: a middle-aged, rabid, extreme right winger w a trouble past & long criminal record.”
It’s a Geraldo apology if ever there was one — outsmarted yourself? — and he’s wrong about at least one thing. “Most media,” at least mainstream, reputable media, didn’t assume anything. They simply reported the facts. If those facts don’t line up with your theories, too bad. They’re still facts. Let’s not confuse partisan opinion-makers and influencers with reporters.
Compare that to Sean Hannity’s tweet shortly after the arrest (see Springsteen, above).
“I deplore all violence of any kind. Legitimate & fair criticism of media bias & merely calling-out CNN’s obvious political agenda that spends almost all day demonizing a President they hate is not only warranted but a healthy exercise of freedom of speech.”
Funny, he didn’t mention Trump’s obvious political agenda of spending time at rallies demonizing CNN or Obama or Hillary Clinton. But this is Hannity’s brand and he’s obviously sticking with it, no matter who gets arrested for what.
Chris Stirewalt, the political editor for Fox News, said on the air that both Democrats and Republicans owe each other apologies.
“We could spend all day … talking about who said the wrong thing worst, who said it first, who said the most despicable thing.”
Social media blame game
OK, I’ll start: Ridiculous, potentially dangerous false-flag theories are the worst. Fox News in no way officially espoused them, but didn’t exactly turn away guests on its shows who did.
It’s true that a lot of liberal-leaning folks on social media took smarmy victory laps Friday. Variations on “I told you so” flew fast and furious all over Twitter. Some had blamed Trump from the get-go, saying that if he didn’t create the culture that makes acts of violence possible, he at least has contributed mightily to it. And yes, the media covered that, and some news organizations reported on it.
VIDEO: TRUMP PRAISES LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR MAIL BOMB ARREST
As they should. Reporting on the president praising a politician for body-slamming a reporter isn’t a “theory.” It’s a story.
And stories matter right now. Maybe more than ever. Credible stories. Like the ones lots of media outlets have been writing about NBC canceling Kelly’s morning show. You just have to look a little harder to find those particular ones today, given events. A story for another day, alas.
But good for Geraldo. Too bad for Hannity. And no, false equivalency no longer cuts it. Friday was proof of that, yet again.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.
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