Stelter’s desperateness in reinterpreting the J-6 hearing reveals the true goal.
The media has begun to notice a shift in the perception of the January 6 Committee hearing. This is something that the press doesn’t want to admit publicly. Each televised program ends, and the media is beginning to see the truth that they lack substance. All we have been shown is a repeat of prior findings, and edited-for-television clips defying trial standards for evidence, with claims being insisted but proof lacking.
Each performance has seen less media interest and those who remain, true believers, are becoming more shrill in their intent. Brian Stelter is one of the most passionate supporters of this comedy festival. CNN has been an ally to the J-6C since the beginning and has been the conduit for leaks throughout. Jamie Gangel, CNN’s primary connection to the Congressional group, described how dismayed various committee members were in February.
“Gangel stated that she was contacted by four members of Congress who were investigating Jan. 6’s insurrection at Capitol. They ‘felt devastated for democracy’ after Zucker’s exit from CNN”.
The network has not changed its course and continues to highlight and amplify the work of the committee. Now Brian Stelter is working overtime trying to maintain their implied relevance. Brian had been vocal in his condemnation of Fox News’ failure to participate with other networks prior to the primetime hearing. We saw other outlets abandoning their commitment by Thursday. Many PBS stations chose to air children’s programming on that afternoon. NBC, however, blatantly cut off the US Open golf tournament.
These decisions were made without Mr. Stelter’s bleating, which was amplified by the silence of Fox who ran both hearings.
Yesterday, CNN’s media maven tried to do some cleanup work for the committee. Stelter began to use a lot of reframing in an attempt to save these hearings, as it became clear that there is very little persuasive evidence being presented.
This hearing is supposed to investigate the January 6 events and the causes of the riot. Stelter suggests that this is only a secondary matter. He says, “It may not be the most important aspect.” This is a remarkable statement. This is nothing but desperation. He suggests that the extremely charged hearing duty is secondary. This is an indication of the failure to live up to that mission statement. He begins to list stories about recent New Mexico election results being challenged. These stories have no bearing on an inquiry into actions taken more than a year ago.
One striking detail is the floating headlines that he uses during his monologue. Even if you don’t care, your grandkids will be interested in the Jan. 6 hearings. The tacit admission that hearings are not a major event explains a lot. His network has spent over a year hyping the impending riot. He has loved covering this committee, but the growing tide of public apathy means that he has to recast the story in order to justify the coverage.
Stelter quotes Joe Kahn (newly appointed executive editor of the New York Times), saying that “You can’t have independent journalism within a non-free society.” This is despite the fact that CNN and Stelter have been willingly working for the Democrats and the committee, without any sense of perspective. Instead of looking back at the lackluster impact and exploring the reasons, Brian chooses to go into the spin machine.
He is silent as networks leave the hearings. The mounting reality of few substantive findings is being reinterpreted. It is now less about uncovering the truth and more about leveraging future influence. This exposes the intention of the committee right from the beginning. This is not a Congressional investigation seeking evidence. It is a partisan fishing expedition, with an eye on the 2024 general elections and the midterms.
As people realize this, Stelter, the pitchman, is trying to create a new campaign as they move away from broadcasts. Because the public isn’t buying it, there is an urgent need to repackage the product.
