Critique of NPR's 2024 Coverage of Cliven Bundy
Alluding to media "target audiences" and how news outlets "use various techniques to appeal to its target audience including the content and language of its stories, the political bias."
In 2024, NPR's continued coverage of Cliven Bundy drew criticism from author Michael Stickler, who highlighted perceived biases and factual inaccuracies in their reporting. Stickler notes that NPR reportedly declined an offer for an in-person interview with Cliven Bundy at his home, speculating that this decision stemmed from a desire to control the narrative.
Stickler points to an NPR segment where reporter Kirk Siegler uses a drone to film cattle by the Virgin River, correctly identifying them as Cliven Bundy's. Stickler observes this as one of the few accurate points in NPR's reportage, sarcastically noting, "MSM can't let some annoying thing like facts get in the way after all."
A specific point of contention for Stickler is NPR's inclusion of an unidentified soundbite from a "Frontline" TV show, with the transcript labeling the speakers as "UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1 #2." Stickler suggests that a reporter covering the Bundy Ranch should be able to recognize the voices of Cliven and Ammon Bundy.
The NPR story, titled "A decade after armed standoff, the Bundys appear to be above the law," was published on June 20, 2024.
Heard on All Things Considered
Vincent Easley II, who edited and added commentary to Stickler's original post ( https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AX24hU71W ), further elaborates on perceived inaccuracies. Siegler stated that Cliven Bundy was "forced off this land in the 1990s" due to critical habitat designation for the desert tortoise and a land swap. Easley refutes this, asserting that Cliven Bundy "always has and is still Ranching and Farming raising Kids, Cattle, and Melons to this day."
Both Stickler and Easley imply that NPR's reporting may prioritize a pre-determined narrative over factual accuracy, even if it means relying on unidentified sources. Easley alludes to media "target audiences" and how news outlets "use various techniques to appeal to its target audience including the content and language of its stories, the political bias."
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