The Hill has until recently been regarded as an unbiased reporter of Capitol Hill news and information. But this year's election combined (obviously) with a strong desire for clickbait has led them to publish a "column" by well-known conspiracy theorist and Alex Jones BFF, as well as CNN contributor, Roger Stone. Stone uses the opportunity to spew his unfounded and dangerous nuttery, that the presidential election is “rigged” if Hillary Clinton wins. Oliver Willis at Media Matters:
In addition to giving a conspiracy theorist a platform to sow seeds of doubt about the outcome of the election, The Hill -- which identifies Stone as a “contributor” -- has also associated their brand with a man who regularly promotes conspiracy theories and has an extensive history of making racist, sexist, and bigoted comments.
Asked why they would choose to publish Stone’s piece given his record, a spokesperson for The Hill explained that they provide “a platform for contributors, encompassing politics and policy, from all points of the political compass, including those with provocative voices about the candidates and the electoral process.” The spokesperson claimed that Stone’s allegation that the election will be rigged by Clinton shows how the paper “is always providing and seeking balance among the points of view that we present,” noting that “last week we published a column pressing the argument that in the nation’s history ‘systemic election fraud’ is non-existent.”
The response appears to confirm that The Hill’s willingness to promote “points of view” is limited by neither their extremeness nor their factual accuracy.
A reminder that what Driftglass says at The Professional Left Podcast is true: moving to the "center" and "balance" ALWAYS means a move away from common sense truth towards right-wing ideology. Always.
And now with Trump at the head of the GOP ticket, "balance" means giving platform to this (from the C&L archives) :
Alex Jones And Roger Stone Discuss A Ball Gag Protest At RNC
Roger Stone Foments Violence, Says 'Bloodbath' Will Ensue If Trump Loses
Trump Pal Roger Stone Claims The Khans Are Muslim Brotherhood Plants
Roger Stone Fears An Assassination Attempt On Obama To Stop The Elections
He also called Roland Martin a "stupid negro" and a "token buffoon" and instructed him to "eat somemore Popeye's."
Stone has also called CNN political commentator Ana Navarro, "Borderline retarded," "a rabid Pekinese," and claimed "Black beans and rice didn't miss her."
Listen up, "The Hill": if your publication depends upon maintaining "balance" between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, you are going to be forced to give voice to crazy people. Crazy, crazy people who work with and for the deranged and completely unqualified Republican nominee for President. And by doing so you fail as a news outlet.
Good luck with that.
