In recognizing the dregs of press unprofessionalism, journalistic sloth, and general media malpractice we have created "The Golden Remington Awards," a nod to the olden days when hard-scrabble hacks committed actual journalism and hammered out dispatches on these hefty wordsmith devices. With an eye to that past of muckraking reporting and shoe leather investigation, we acknowledge those who fail today in audacious fashion.
These are the inauspicious nominations, in several categories, for this year’s Remmys.
DISTINGUISHED NATIONAL REPORTING
Maria Luisa Paul - Washington Post
This report on the “questionable” content on the website of former representative and potential GOP candidate Mayra Flores is bad enough, but when weighed against the weeks the press spent excusing away the Claudine Gay story, it becomes more ridiculous. For some reason, after we had been lectured about stealing intellectual property in higher education not being a severe crime, we should care whether Flores had plagiarized pictures of food from other websites and claimed they were her own.
Former Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Tex.), the first Mexican-born woman in Congress who is running to win back her seat, is now facing “Grubgate” after allegedly posting photos of food online that users say originated on other sites and presenting it as her own. https://t.co/tLzVSiAflY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 9, 2024
DISTINGUISHED EXPLANATORY REPORTING
Mithil Aggarwal, Alice Kong - NBC News
There is never a shortage of entries on the dire effects of climate change, but this one manages to make you twist your head, and defy many of the claims about the warming planet.
We get told that a real-life King Kong used to roam the planet, but it managed to die off when climate change drastically altered its food supply. As bad as this sounds, it leads us to also ask how exactly our propane stoves and 2-stroke, gas-powered lawnmowers caused climate change 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.
It did not fall off the Empire State Building.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 13, 2024
A giant ape sometimes dubbed the “real King Kong” was driven to extinction by climate change putting their favorite fruits out reach, according to new research. https://t.co/5nDLM1Xekc
DISTINGUISHED EDITORIAL WRITING
Guest opinion contributor Elizabeth Spiers, New York Times
It becomes harder to take the media seriously on the subject of climate change, when the outlets that tout there is a scientific consensus cannot even achieve a uniform approach to the matter. A prime example was seen as a guest opinion contributor for the New York Times managed to not just contradict the consensus, but the publication itself. In two editorials, the outlet declared that climate change will likely lead to the end of snowfall as we know it, and also it will be the reason we see increased snowdrifts. Making this anti-scientific approach all the better was that these conflicting accounts were posted within days of each other in January.
The NYTimes is really going to have to get its story straight.
— Steve Milloy (@JunkScience) January 13, 2024
- Jan. 2: Global warming to end snow.
- Jan. 12: Global warming to increase snow.
That is the say-anything 'science' behind the climate hoax. pic.twitter.com/zTSzwRjo3c
DISTINGUISHED CULTURAL COMMENTARY
Victor Mather - New York Times
The Times is hot on the case of a controversy brewing at the Guinness Book of World Records. This concerns the recent passing of Bobi, who was said to have been a record-setter (not "Irish") as the oldest living dog, having reached 31 years of age.
Yes, the NYT is going “birther” on the provenance of a dog in Portugal.
When Bobi died in October, he was hailed at the oldest dog ever to have lived at 31 years.
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 16, 2024
But doubts about his true age have led the Guinness Book of World Records to say on Tuesday that it will “temporarily pause” the record for an investigation. https://t.co/ViNf6YdZOh
DISTINGUISHED SPORTS REPORTING
Tampa Bay / NFL
We are still trying to track down the reporter from a Tampa Bay affiliate, who was at the pregame press conference with head coach Todd Bowles, ahead of the Buccaneers' playoff game this past weekend. In a lengthy question, the reporter asked the coach how he was preparing his team to play in Detroit considering the conditions will be bitterly cold.
Coach Bowles fought to keep his composure, as he calmly explained he was taking no additional steps to deal with the conditions outside considering the Lions play their games inside. They have had their domed stadium for around 50 years now.
NEW -->> Reporterette's Cringe Question to Tampa Bay Coach on Playing at Ford Field - and His Reaction - Go Viral https://t.co/W8fAK1Sgn1
— Sister Toldjah 💙 (@sistertoldjah) January 18, 2024
THE SAM ADAMS MOVEABLE-TYPE PLAQUE - (for fraudulent reporting)
Jacob Rosen - CBS News
In its coverage of the looming New Hampshire primary, CBS News covered a recent speech by Donald Trump, in which he mentioned Democrats in that state have been infiltrating the GOP in order to cast votes for Nikki Haley. Rosen details how these comments are "baseless," "falsehoods," "unfounded claims" and - best of all - "misinformation."
He writes this despite news reports throughout the week attesting this took place, as well--as deep in his article--admitting that, “3,542 voters changed their registration from Democrat to undeclared before the state's Oct. 6 deadline.”
Fmr. Pres. Trump's closing message to New Hampshire voters contained falsehoods about the upcoming primary election, including a baseless claim that Democrats are planning to "infiltrate" the primary to support Nikki Haley. https://t.co/Ik54uPuFLE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 19, 2024
DISTINGUISHED PHOTOJOURNALISM
Sky News
In a report on a disturbing case of a suspect in Britain accused of depositing soiled, adult diapers at three children’s nurseries, Sky News provided a photo of the defendant upon arrival for the arraignment.
A transgender woman accused of dumping soiled adult nappies at children's nurseries has denied the offences.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 16, 2024
Read more 🔗 https://t.co/jYnD3ITBgk
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