Saturday, October 31, 2026Every claim sourced. Every source linked.
The record of what the American press got wrong, and who it helped
By outlet

Los Angeles Times

3 files on the record. 0 helped Democrats, 0 helped Republicans, 3 helped neither.

3 helped Neither party (100%)Neither party 100%
Framing

LA Times on HIV-exposure penalty cut vs. surging STDs

In October 2017 the LA Times reported that California had reduced knowingly exposing others to HIV from a felony to a misdemeanor. In May 2018 it reported that STD rates in Los Angeles County were soaring and that officials thought racism and stigma might be partly to blame. Placed together, the stories raise the question of which causes coverage chose to emphasize.

Oct 6, 2017 · Los Angeles Times, Washington Times
Helped: Neither party
Retracted

Daily Beast Names the Wrong Farook Brother in San Bernardino

The Daily Beast identified San Bernardino shooter as Syed Raheel Farook and ran his Facebook photo; separately, an L.A. Times reporter and a Fox News scroll gave a hoax name for the female shooter.

Dec 2, 2015 · The Daily Beast, Fox News, Los Angeles Times
Helped: Neither party
Retracted

Sandy Hook: Wrong Brother Named as Shooter

Many outlets named Ryan Lanza as the Sandy Hook Elementary gunman, and some circulated his Facebook profile and photo.

Dec 14, 2012 · Associated Press, CNN, NBC News
Helped: Neither party
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