Politico Hides Media Matters Sourcing in RedState Editor Scalp Hunt

It’s been over 25 years since radio shock jock Howard Stern went national and in his own way helped to define today’s AM radio. So, it’s amazing to see the liberal media now suddenly discover a mean puritanical streak in what looks to be an effort to silence voices on the Right. And I thought it was the Christian right that seeks to enforce some moral order on the population?

With cross-over media and careers being so much in vogue today, should it really be a surprise that what may work, or be fine in one medium, could be interpreted as inappropriate on another? And why is it that only conservative voices seem to suffer this guilt by association, generated by the Left, to try and get them kicked off the air? This despicable political tactic deserves to be called out for what it is, the modern day equivalent of book burning.

Call it a Vast Left-wing Conspiracy, or some interesting connections if you follow New Media. It seems that not long after former Politico staffer Ben Smith moved to Buzzfeed, Politico may now be linking up with Buzzfeed to put some distance between itself and ideologically-biased media outlet Media Matters.

The most aggressive would be book burner at Politico these days appears to be Dylan Byers. After going after Big Journalism editor, Dana Loesch, he’s now targeted Erick Erickson for comments made on his AM radio show.

BuzzFeed’s Rosie Gray flags a comment from CNN political contibutor Erick Erickson that could cause problems for the network:

CNN commentator and conservative blogger Erick Erickson described the tasing of an Occupy D.C. protester as “hilarious” and “made of awesome” on his radio show yesterday. “Watching a hippie protester get tased just makes my day,” he said.

However, if one clicks through to Buzzfeed, you’ll see that the attack actually comes from Media Matters.

CNN commentator and conservative blogger Erick Erickson described the tasing of an Occupy DC protester as “hilarious” and “made of awesome” on his radio show yesterday. “Watching a hippie protester get tased just makes my day,” he said.

One can defend Erickson’s comments as humor totally appropriate for the audience and the medium, or as using absurdity to make a point. But the sad facts is, it shouldn’t need defending at all. As with the vicious recent attacks on Dana Loesch, radio and television are two different entities and require different presentation. I think most people get that and unless any individuals in question begin making jokes or illustrating points not really very shocking by today’s standards on AM radio on this, or that particular other network, one would hope they continue to have the respect for the First Amendment and free association, to include cross-over between different strains of media, that all Americans deserve.

Now if only the nannies over at Media Matters would get that, though, it’s doubtful under the leadership of chief nanny, cook and bottle washer, Eric Boehlert.