Read this carefully

When Carl Jensen started Project Censored at Sonoma State University in 1976, the phrase “media literacy” was not in vogue. But it was a requirement of citizenship then just as it is today. Jensen’s project unearthed stories ignored by the corporate media, and issued an annual report like the one in these pages. To be frank, the quality of the project has gone up and down; often balancing on the bias of its editor. In 2007, one of the Top 10 stories was about 9/11 Truthers; many newspaper editors stopped paying much attention after that. This year’s list presents stories that I believe SN&R readers ought to know more about—with one exception.

I was surprised to see No. 9—“DNC claims right to select presidential candidate”—which tells how the Democratic National Committee worked to ensure that Hillary Clinton (a democrat) would win the party nomination—a move that caused Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign. You know that name because Russia and Wikileaks conspired to put this story on page one of every newspaper in the country. So: censored? No.

The author of the list, Paul Rosenburg, openly supported the candidacy of Bernie Sanders since at least 2014. The journalist he cites at some length here, Michael Sainato, is another Sanders supporter. Google his name, and you will find dozens of articles denouncing the DNC—cherry-picking facts to make his argument. I will point out here (cherry-picking a fact) that his news organization is owned by Jared Kushner.

I need you to know that I am not unbiased in my judgment. I was and remain a Hillary Clinton supporter. So, take that under consideration. I do not want you, dear reader, to become cynical about what you read. Just be careful. And: We’ve got your back.