ABC, NBC, and MSNBC prime-time shows ignored landmark UN report on biodiversity
Only three of 26 prime-time news programs on major networks covered the report
By TED MACDONALD
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The only prime-time cable shows to mention the global assessment were CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper and Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier. Coverage on The Lead was straightforward, while Special Report‘s coverage was riddled with skepticism. Baier, who is billed as one of Fox’s “news”-side reporters, began the segment by saying, “Many environmentalists are in a panic tonight over a new report,” but “as in all such cases, some humans say the report and the response are exaggerations.” The segment included commentary from industry-funded climate denier Marc Morano, who has no background in science. Morano downplayed the report and accused the U.N. of being a “self-interested lobbying organization.” (The Morano footage had run previously on another of Fox’s “news”-side programs, Shepard Smith Reporting.)
Overall, out of a total of 26 prime-time news shows aired on the major broadcast and cable networks on May 6, only three included coverage of the global assessment.
