News Television

John Avlon: Cover BYU Racial Slur Story With Same ‘Intensity’ of Allegations

“Fidelity to the facts is all that we as journalists and citizens should ask,” said Avlon.

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2022

CNN anchor John Avlon is calling for other media members to cover a story from Brigham Young University with the same “intensity” after allegations that fans hurled racial slurs at Duke volleyball players no evidence has been found to backup the claims.

During a segment Avlon called “Upon Further Review”, he noted the story leapt to the “outrage Olympics” after Rachel Richardson, a volleyball player at Duke, said she and other black athletes were the attacked with racial epithets during a match last month. Avlon pointed out his own network, CNN, was a purveyor of the unsubstantiated story.

“Fidelity to the facts is all that we as journalists and citizens should ask,” said Avlon. “It’s understandable that there’s a desire to believe people when they say they’ve been victimized, but the accusations have to be backed up by facts and when the facts don’t fit upon further review, we need to set the record straight with as much intensity as the initial reports.”

He also added the Richardson family has stopped responding to requests for comment from CNN, while noting the statement from BYU doesn’t label her as a liar or fabricator.

“Healthy skepticism is always a virtue, but this doesn’t read like a coverup,” Avlon said. “Instead, it feels like there was a rush to judgment because of a well-intentioned impulse to believe the Duke player’s accusations.”

BNM Staff

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News Television

Dana Perino: Sean Hannity is the Reason I’m at Fox News

“What I didn’t know is that here at Fox, he had suggested that they might want to consider me as a contributor.”

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(Photo: Fox News)

Dana Perino co-stars on The Five, but before becoming one of the stars of Fox News, she needed to find her footing at the network. In a recent podcast appearance on the Ruthless Podcast, she talked about her experience in the early years with Fox News.

Perino credited Sean Hannity for his support and guidance when she joined the news media outlet. She states that Hannity played a crucial role in helping her navigate the complex world of cable news after leaving her role as White House Press Secretary.

“Sean said, ‘Why don’t you come up and be on my show?'” Perino said. “What I didn’t know is that here at Fox, he had suggested that they might want to consider me as a contributor.”

Furthermore, Hannity backed Dana Perino despite the network not wanting another person from the Bush administration at the time. The Fox News host also supported her as she navigated the transition from talking to the media to giving her opinion.

“Sean said, ‘She’s different; let me try.'” Perino added “I was so terrible at the beginning, and shy, worried. I didn’t want to give my opinion… and to Sean’s credit, he kept up with it. He always had me back.”

Eventually, Perino would find her way as a contributor and land on The Five when the program launched.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Television

CNN Will Host Town Halls With Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy

“CNN has a longstanding tradition of hosting presidential candidates.”

Published

8 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Eduardo Razo

CNN announced on Tuesday that it will host two nights of town halls featuring Republican presidential candidates five weeks before the Iowa Republican Caucuses in 2024.

Jake Tapper will be moderating a live CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall with Governor Ron DeSantis at 9 pm ET on Tuesday, December 12. The event will occur at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Meanwhile, the following evening, anchor Abby Phillip will moderate a live CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall with Vivek Ramaswamy at 9 pm ET on Wednesday, December 13, from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

“CNN has a longstanding tradition of hosting presidential candidates for Town Halls and political events as a critical component of the network’s robust campaign coverage,” the press release said.

“The 2024 Republican presidential candidates will take questions from CNN moderators and a live audience of Iowa voters who say they intend to vote in the Iowa Republican Caucuses.”

The two-night event will stream live on CNN Max and for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, connected TV, and mobile apps.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Television

Elizabeth Vargas: ‘There Will Be Many Questions’ About Trump in Latest Debate

“Right now they are running against Trump”

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(Credit: NewsNation)

NewsNation host Elizabeth Vargas knows what she’ll focus on when co-moderating the fourth Republican presidential primary debate alongside SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly, and the Washington Free Beacon’s Eliana Johnson.

For Vargas, her focus will be more on Trump, who has not participated in any of the events so far but continues to lead his competitors in the polls by a wide margin with the candidates at the debate.

“Right now they are running against Trump,” Vargas told the Los Angeles Times. “So there will be many questions about him.”

The event will be at the University of Alabama’s Frank Moody Music Building in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on December 6. The candidates participating in the debate will be entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor.

Meanwhile, Trump will participate in a Fox News town hall on Tuesday with Sean Hannity rather than partake in the latest Republican primary debate.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].