Florida’s Top 5 Fake News Reporters for the Week of 2/27-3/6
Florida’s Conservative Voice Presents Florida’s Top 5 Fake News Reporters of the Week: Every week, FCV will rank the worst reporters covering Florida politics. Our team, and readers, have noticed a stark uptick of fake news “journalists” that are consistently lying or misleading the public on Florida affairs in politics, ranging from Governor Ron DeSantis to COVID-19. In an effort to promote more journalistic integrity, these individuals will be cited for their attempts to mislead the public.
February 8, 2021 Updated 12:24 P.M. ET
5. Peter Schorsch (Florida Politics)
In another politically charged rant, the ‘objective reporter’ Schorsch claimed that Governor Ron DeSantis Press Secretary Christina Pushaw had “homophobic commentary” by saying that kindergarteners should not be taught about sex:
Yes, that’s right: according to Schorsch, opposing sex education for kindergarteners is “homophobic.”
4. Zach Barrett (NBC 2)
In an article for local news outlet NBC 2, Barrett claims that “‘Mask Shaming’ more common as mandates relax across the country.”
“As mask mandates begin relaxing around the country, some in Southwest Florida said they’re receiving backlash when they wear a face-covering in public,” he said.
Barrett went on to claim that DeSantis shamed students for not wearing masks at a press conference.
“‘Mask shaming’ took center stage Wednesday during a speaking engagement at the University of South Florida when Governor Ron DeSantis addressed students wearing masks behind the podium before the press conference began.”
Contrary to Barrett’s claims, DeSantis did not shame or bully the kids into wearing masks: some chose to keep the mask on, and some did not.
3. Nick Russo (NBC 12)
In a tweet referencing DeSantis’ anti-mask sentiment at the press conference, Russo claimed that DeSantis is now seemingly anti-freedom for voicing his opinion.
“I thought the whole argument against mask/vaccine mandates was about individuals having the freedom to choose what’s best for them and not telling people what to do?” he said.
After receiving flack, he defended his remarks, saying that he was “not trying to be deceptive.”
“If you want to wear them, fine” seems a lot like giving someone freedom, Nick! The video had DeSantis’ quote in full context. Next time, draw your opinions on the full context.
2. David Goldiner (New York Daily News)
In blatant fake news, Goldiner said that DeSantis “rejected a push for Florida to sell investments in Russian-owned companies in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.”
After Goldiner asked how it was false, Pushaw explained that DeSantis simply did not “reject” the idea of divesting.
1. Yacob Reyes (Politifact)
In perhaps one of the most misleading ‘fact checks’ imaginable, Reyes says that DeSantis “mischaracterizes the efficacy of face masks” by saying that they are ineffective.
The main and sole source for rebuffing DeSantis? “A recent study published by the CDC found that wearing face masks notably reduced the likelihood of testing positive for COVID.”
Studies are fine, but the Florida Department of Health sent Reyes several controlled trials that show the ineffectiveness of masks, which DOH Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern pointed out:
The study from the CDC was *not* statistically significant and was a phone interview survey.
Why does Reyes and Politifact not look at the science for their fact checks? Liberals claim they want to “trust the science,” but refuse to acknowledge it.
