CNN and MSNBC Referred to Violent LA Protests as ‘Peaceful’ Over 200 Times: Study
A study conducted by the Media Research Center (MRC) found that CNN and MSNBC referred to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as “peaceful” 211 times, despite widespread violence taking place during the same period.
The study focused on coverage from June 7 to June 11, when rioters in Los Angeles were seen throwing bricks at law enforcement, setting vehicles on fire, and carrying out other acts of vandalism. The MRC specifically analyzed commentary from on-air figures who were supposed to be “non-partisan” at the networks. CNN accounted for 123 of the “peaceful” references, while MSNBC made 88.
Among those highlighted in the report was CNN’s Brian Stelter, who on June 9 said there was an effort to “lump in violent rioters and peaceful protestors.” Anchor Erin Burnett said, “There were some incidents of violence. There were specific individuals involved in that. By and large, peaceful protest.”
On MSNBC, host Chris Hayes claimed, “Donald Trump can try to turn the military into a partisan tool, mobilizing the National Guard and even the Marines against peaceful protestors.” Nicole Wallace added, “Donald Trump referred to those peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights as insurrectionists.”
The findings were discussed on Fox News by anchor Dana Perino and former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday.
“The Media Research Center shows that between June 7th and 11th, CNN and MSNBC had a reference to the protests as ‘peaceful’ 211 times — as if they were trying to really make the — drive that point home,” Perino said.
McEnany added, “Yeah, and I actually saw this pivot in real time where it was ‘peaceful, peaceful, peaceful,’ and then on that Sunday afternoon the cars were burning, there were scooters being tossed onto the hoods of police cars, and all of a sudden that ‘peaceful’ adjective made its way out of the coverage, at least temporarily.”
