One of the most loathsome genres in this election cycle: the "people on both sides think the other is going to steal the election" — also known as a "dueling realities" — story. From the home of this kind of journalism, @nprpolitics. npr.org/2020/10/28/928… Key word: BOTH SIDES.
When I call "dueling realities" a genre, I'm not kidding. Here's another one from the spiritual home of this kind of journalism, @NPR, where a balanced treatment of an unbalanced reality doesn't count as disortion.
Via @airbagmoments npr.org/2020/10/27/928…
Via @airbagmoments npr.org/2020/10/27/928…
The Washington Post with another one. Notice the symmetry between "the worry on the right that a Democratic win would plunge the nation into catastrophic socialism and the fear on the left that a Trump victory would produce a turn toward totalitarianism." washingtonpost.com/politics/end-o…
Here is a reply from NPR's David Green to the first post in this thread, criticizing this story. npr.org/2020/10/28/928… 
If you need further illustration of what we mean by a "dueling realities" story, this is a classic in the genre, from the @AP. "Dueling versions of reality define 1st week of fall campaign." apnews.com/article/780b2e…
There are journalists who know what's going on. Here's Adam Davidson, ex-NPR, ex-New York Times, now with the New Yorker, commenting on the second piece in this thread.
https://twitter.com/adamdavidson/status/1321477607414779904
It's not any norm-busting recklessness or dog-whistling encouragement from the president that's causing global conflict experts to see signs of potential violence around the U.S. election. It's... "polarization." @NPR's reality distortion field continues. npr.org/2020/10/28/928…
Here's the way I would summarize the work of @nprpolitics on view in this thread:
The organization is not strong enough to withstand the strain of telling an asymmetric truth about American politics— and this election. So it changes the picture to one it can handle.
The organization is not strong enough to withstand the strain of telling an asymmetric truth about American politics— and this election. So it changes the picture to one it can handle.
People in the system know, part one. Here's a journalist, not at NPR, but part of the universe at @GBHNews who sees it.
https://twitter.com/reillyadam/status/1321555199882891267
People in the system know, part two. Here's a column by NPR's public editor, trying gently to alert the bosses. "NPR veers toward journalistic impotence when directness is sacrificed in favor of an abundance of caution." npr.org/sections/publi…
People in the system know, part three. Here's a former correspondent and host for NPR expressing herself.
https://twitter.com/jackilyden/status/1321585585413332994
Former CEO of NPR replies. I disagree with Vivian re: the "message" delivered. Yes, it says Trump is stoking fears and making unfounded claims. But manipulated emotions vs. reality-based concerns is NOT the story frame. Both sides accusing the other is.
https://twitter.com/vivian/status/1321828735948099585
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