Author: Ilana Bernstein

Spicer Makes Another Mistake

On April 11 Press Secretary Sean Spicer compared Hitler and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a press briefing. He said Hitler “didn’t even sink to using chemical weapons,” and referred to concentration camps as “Holocaust centers.” Perhaps an untimely coincidence, April 11 marked the second night of...

Warning: This is Graphic

On April 4 all three networks reported on the Syrian chemical attack showing extremely graphic and upsetting images. When the story aired, the attack had killed 58 civilians and wounded about 300. The story combines complex foreign relations and unfathomable acts of violence. Each network introduced...

NBC’s Graphics Lack Clarity

Graphics can make or break a story. They can help a viewer understand a topic or leave wrong impressions. NBC has chosen to create dramatic graphics for its broadcasts. How do these graphics affect the clarity of the stories? On March 27 NBC covered House Intelligence...

Wiretapping Claims Threaten to Drown Out “Big News”

Using Tweets, President Trump accused Former President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during Trump’s presidential campaign. Beginning at 3:35 a.m. Saturday morning March 4, Trump tweeted: 3:49 a.m. 3:52 a.m. 4:02 a.m. On Monday, March 6, House Republicans announced their new healthcare plan which would replace...

How “Breaking News” Should be Defined

A bold graphic reading “Breaking News” catches news viewers’ eyes. When is the phrase appropriate? When is it overused? Do viewers become desensitized to the term? Between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24, ABC flashed “Breaking News” on screen every night. NBC and CBS did not. On Feb....

President Trump Confronts the Black Reporter

President Trump’s exchange with a black reporter during his lengthy press conference on Feb. 16 raised questions about his conduct. Reporter April Ryan asked Trump whether he planned to include the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in conversations about his urban agenda. Trump responded: “Do you want...