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Republican Senator Takes ABC News to Task for Anti-Christian Report
Posted On 01 Aug 2017
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) fired off an angry letter to the president of ABC News on Monday, taking the network to task for a recent story they ran on Attorney General Jeff Sessions and a speech he gave to a prominent Christian legal organization.
In the story, ABC News casually suggested that Sessions and the Justice Department were hiding the contents of the speech from public view and said that was disturbing because of the “hate group” nature of the organization in question: the Alliance Defending Freedom.
The article explained that ADF, which is instrumental in providing legal help for Christian business owners facing persecution due to their refusal to participate in gay weddings and other LGBT events, was labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Nothing in the July 12 report reminded readers that the SPLC is a left-wing advocacy group and not, as often assumed, the final authority on American hate groups.
“I found it odd that ABC would designate ADF as a hate group not based on any actual crime or action, but apparently based on their belief in religious liberty or traditional marriage,” Lankford wrote. “Since I think I can confidently assume that ABC News is a strong supporter of the First Amendment, why would ABC News label a peaceful group as a ‘hate group’ simply because of a difference of opinion?”
Lankford said the issues at stake in journalism and religious freedom were too important for reporters to casually throw around terms like ‘hate group’ without backing up those claims with something more substantial than the word of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“In this country, we have the ability and freedom to disagree,” he wrote. “However, disagreement is not the same as discrimination and it’s not the same as hate. As journalists and members of the government, we have a responsibility to distinguish between the two. Labeling ADF a ‘hate group’ feeds into a narrative that the news media frequently editorializes beyond the facts. This ultimately harms American trust in the press.”
We sincerely hope this letter is not easily dismissed by ABC News and the rest of the mainstream media, because while we have little hope that these liberal journalists will relent in their war against the Trump administration (and no hope at all that they will begin giving fair coverage to Christian interests), there is an opportunity here for a small, but important course correction. It’s time, simply, for the MSM to stop treating the Southern Poverty Law Center as a legitimate, unbiased source for “hate group” information. Relate their quotes and designations if you must, but do so only after explaining to viewers/readers that the SPLC has an agenda, just as you would before quoting Rush Limbaugh or the Heritage Foundation.
We’ve given up trying to get the “liberal” out of the liberal media, but we can at least start taking steps toward getting the “fake” out of fake news. This would be a decent place to start.
I think most fake news are anti Christian including a lot of the movie industry. This country was based on Christianity and once we lose that through our judicial process we are doomed.
Ah, YEP!!!!
We need to stop buying from their advertisers. Advertisers want people to buy their products and when you stop buying, they stop advertising on that network. stop going to the movies and you will soon see a change when those Hollywood elites lose money because no one will pay the outrageous price to see the disgusting garbage they are making today. We as Christians need to stand up and fight back.
Mona, since I do not watch ABC News, can you tell me where to find a listing of their sponsors. I agree with you not buying from people that support hate groups. I believe ABC to be one.
Allen! I also do not watch these channels. Maybe someone on this site could give us a list.
Perhaps on Internet!
I stopped watching all network news a year ago. Even Fox. Also stopped watching the movies of known liberals such as Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Robert DeNiro, etc. I also boycott Disney and some other companies that are known to be active in the hatefest of Trump and conservatism lately.
A couple things unrelated to this article but I found interesting is ABC’s President is Ben Sherwood who is married to Obamas Special Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood.
ABC Executive Producer Ian Cameron married to Susan Rice
ABC Correspondent Claire Shipman married to former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney
CBS President David Rhodes brother of Obama Deputy National Security Advisor/Strategic Command Ben Rhodes (also in the news today for leaking on Trump)
ABC News Reporter Matt Jaffey married to Obama Deputy Press Secretary Katie Hogan
Thanks for the informative post!
What I see from your post is that ABC is firmly entrenched with the Democrats, Hollywood and/or the Obama Cabal. Thank you for pointing that out. We are rarely watching that Network any longer and will drop it all together along with their sponsors. We’d rather pay for Netflix or watch PBS and be rid of the annoying advertising.
Helga, PBS is also LOADED with “Obama & Clinton worshipers” — In fact the entire alphabet soup is tainted to the point of poisonous. “The net” is also closing around FOX. Your only choice as I see it is to tune in to OANN (One American News Network?) — Sadly it is not available in our neck of the woods.
JoLa, I’m well aware of this and I only watch the Nature shows and some of the historical dramas. That is all the TV watching I can stomach and I don’t watch any News network besides our local news.
True. Poisonous Beta Network
I think Walt Disney would hate what his family did to a wholesome entertainment!
Hold that thought, see what the Murdoch sons are doing to FOX….
Murdoch give the people what they want. When they stop tuning him in then he will change.
Some over lap but there’s more….(a little dated)
ABC News executive producer Ian Cameron is
married to Susan Rice, Obama’s National Security Advisor.
CBS President David Rhodes is the brother of Ben
Rhodes, Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.
NBC News Political Analyst, David Axelrod was
Obama’s Chief Campaign Advisor and Senior Advisor directly to Obama himself.
NBC CEO Stephen Burke is a Board Member of Warren
Buffet’s Company Berkshire Hathaway. Buffet donated almost a BILLION dollars to
Obama’s campaign.
ABC News correspondent Claire Shipman is married
to former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, who now works for CNN as a
commentator.
ABC News and Univision reporter Matthew Jaffe is
married to Katie Hogan, Obama’s Deputy Press Secretary.
ABC News chief political correspondent and anchor
George Stephanopoulos was the White House Communications Director then Senior
Advisor for Policy and Strategy for Bill Clinton, and was just caught secretly
donating $75,000 to the Clinton foundation.
ABC President Ben Sherwood is the brother of
Obama’s Special Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood.
CNN President Virginia Moseley is married to
former Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Secretary Tom Nides.
NBC Chelsea Clinton was making $600,000.00 a year
+ benefits as a starting reporter.
Univision’s Emmy Award Winning Anchor Jorge
Ramos’s daughter is working on Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign.
$$$ Yahoo
is partnered with ABC News. The CEO of yahoo, Marissa Mayer is also an Obama
campaign donor.
And still None dare call it conspiracy.
And yet None dare call it conspiracy.
PERHAPS IT would be wiser to face the problem than to ignore it. This nation has degenerated vastly in the past year as they try to convince persons that their lies and misinformation are the truth. If you run from the truth you are bound to run into lies.
Don’t ya love it?
Agree with above
What I don’t understand is why they get away with it. It would be nice to hear the truth from the news media for a change. We definitely don’t want censorship but a lie is a lie and I get the impression most, if not all, of the news media would lie when the truth would do more good. And so many gullible people in this country seem to have a tendency to believe lies over the truth about anything.
truth only comes from Gods children, do not expect truth to come from satans children for satan is the father of all lies. the first sin committed was when satan called God a lair, by telling eve that god was wrong, well beware to call God a lair is one unforgiveable sin ask satan no forgiveness for him nor for anyone who dares to call Gods laws false or a lie. we live in a world full of satans children but as a christain you have to stand up for truth be that little light of truth https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c850ae021fb7955295315f99ea9e0fe5b5571b3fb2fb5202eb5533eab4b11f09.jpg
they seemed to be “Teflon coated” I don’t understand either, USAF Ret
Right,2399molly_Not at All True,of course,but Good Luck with both your Remedial America history courses,AND,with your surgical Brain Implant !!!
Already doomed thanks to the Soros – Clintons and Obamas with their people on the bench in the courts . Just look at the Circus since Trump was sworn in . Keep electing Turn coats like McCain and Demon Rats . .
There has been a steady decline in morality for several years. The democratic party in their quest for votes and control have been the organization behind much of this. They reward unchristian behavior and will be the down fall of the US. It is up to those of higher moral behavior and beliefs to fight this in any way we can from the smallest disagreement in gay marriage to major policies supporting muslim leadership.
Talk about being “on target”. The sooner our elected officials realize the MSM will continue with fake news, never leave this position and hates anyone/everyone that thinks differently, relying on tweets (as president Trump does), might at least provide “the other side”.
They call anyone who has a different opinion a “hate group” when in fact it is THEY who hate anyone who disagrees with their point of view.
@3@2399molly:disqus I used to think as you do but I do not anymore. The truth is their argument is built on shifting sand falsehood, lies and coruption. Those are not the foundations of things that last. They only exist as long as we allow them to exist. We have to push back with truth and not accept the dying of the light.
words from a Christian song come to mind. A lie is easier than the truth. The dark is safer than the light.
If the media doesn’t have any real news, they’ll just make something up.
It’s interesting though how Southern Poverty Law Center is a hate group but Black Lives Matter isn’t.
It’s a strange box they’ve gotten themselves in.
You said all in one sentence.
Does it surprise you about M.S..M.
They are like and obsessed cult forcing their beliefs on others.
Liberal loons!!
Well said, Mr. Lankford. Only Commies would quote the SPLC! No reliable news outlet would!
Right on! Problem is that the press can’t tell the difference between a fact and an opinion and that’s the root of fake news.
It is not that they can’t tell the difference, it is that they don’t care. They are all about exploiting the people and people fall for it.
MONEY MONEY MONEY AND GREED THEY SELL FAKE NEWS BUT THEY KNOW WHO WANTS TO PAY FOR TRUTH? ONLY CHRISTIANS https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2a70e8905aff5e0155caaf1128b02e95d1bbf3d7c4e096c447ae3bfc6352c19a.jpg WILL
press considers their opinion to be fact
Interesting how Marx, Lenin and Mao were atheist and yet the American Marxist are sucking up to Islam, a truly hate theology, while bashing Christianity.
amen
“Do not worry if the world hate you,remember it hated Me first.” Jesus
Also… “Ye shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who perseveres to the end shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 The aligned forces of Anti-Christ have been gaining strength; we are in their cross-hairs/
i glory in the fact the world hates me, for i stand with my God in heaven, the world hated jesus for telling the truth, satan is the father of all lies, and those who are lairs(fake news) are the children of satan, we see satans children by the very fruits they produce rapes, murder,lies,staling cutting off christains heads,forcing children to marry at 9yrs old is rape and murder of the soul. a true Christian https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9c6917e91a6fb319edb7844761f11089949817acf7f259e155520c907e89a8de.jpg stands up for truth always
The communists are using Islam as their “enforcement” tool for forcing globalism down everyone’s throat and for stamping out Christianity wherever they find it.
U r sooooooooo right. In the end Islam will convert them as well.
Hell will freeze over before islam will win over Christ.I know it looks that way but let me tell you that out of almost 8 billion of humans over 7 billion will be saved.So no win for islam.trust in God it is not going to be an easy ride but we will make it there.
That is how we see it too! Till our last breath, we won’t allow them to succeed with their “Religion of Peace”! We are still a Christian Nation and we need to remain vigilant!
Go get them Landlord! I stand with you 100%.
That was a perfect letter Sen Lankford laid on the president of ABC News. The Southern Poverty Law Center for years has been a loony leftist support group and has frequently been ruthless in attacking any person or group with which it disagrees. The Alliance for Defending Freedom should not be labeled as a “hate group” by ABC News simply because the group defends people who’ve taken legal positions contrary to those of the LGBT(Q) political identity groups who align themselves with the democrat party. Apparently the president of ABC News just couldn’t help himself.
That’s why I no longer watch any of the network’s newscasts.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is itself a “hate group”, just a bunch of “Snowflake” lawyers with WAY too much to say, and what they say is leftist vitriol.
Phil in TX
We also need a list of sponsors for our House and Senate. Sick of the bunch pod them.
Most DEMONCRATS LIVE THE DENIGRATED IMMORAL secular life and actually fear the consequences of their habits. Their inner self tells them their life is not on the right track so they strike out at the thing the fear the most….GOD in all religions. Perhaps that is why the reach out to the Muslim cult of hate!
Odd how if a Christian speaks in favor of the Bible it’s considered hate speech. But if a liberal speaks out against Christianity it’s voicing an opinion.
It’s sad to see and hear these folks demeaning Christianity. I just don’t understand why anyone would reject Jesus who died on the Cross for each and everyone and then rose on the third day giving all that believe in Him eternal life. The alternative being eternal condemnation. What a promise of freedom for all. Everyone needs to examine their own life and decide just where they want to end up because there are only two options. Great or horrendous.
Thank you, Senator Lankford. Good letter, and very important idea. Designating a simple Christian group as a hate group is a criminal level of fake news.
Yes,but the Senator Failed to realize that A.DF.(Alliance Defending Freedom) is a Fake,Fraudulent,and Full of Shit as”Restore American Glory”
The Southern Poverty Law Center is notorious for supporting hate groups. Ergo, they ARE one!
And funded by george nazi soros.
The Southern POVERTY Law Center must derive its name from its moral bankruptcy.
The SPLC is an insidious group that was started by Al Sharpton. They are full of hate and should never be listened to.
Up is down and down is up with these communist liberals.
Stop calling them “liberals”. They are not!
They are totalitarians. That IS what they are!
Well finally someone of some authority stands up for Christianity, there is some hope yet.
seems satan knows its his last days, so he is going about this earth as a roaring wolf seeing whom he can devour and eat up before that great day of coming back of JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, satan is attacking every christain and their beliefs taking prayers out of schools off footballs fiels, having ten commandments taken down in court houses throwing fits over Christmas nativity scenes ,WHO OUT THERE IS FIGHTING AGAINST SATAN AND CHIS CHILDREN IT IS A WAR..if you https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/de9fd39c08e4f62f06f536eb35bc060b1b1ea739ebcfe568e0884a583189de7f.jpg do not stand up now for God He will not stand up for you on judgement day
The only hate group here is “Southern Poverty Law Center”!!!!!!!!!!!
Hitler also was pals with the Muslims & Islamic forces in WW2. So it does not surprise me that Leftist America Marxist would do the same. They preach & teach hate, while God fearing & loving Americans tell the Truth about their propaganda. But in the End God wins & they’ll lose big time!!!
Indeed, as a citizen of Alabama, I can tell y’all that the SPLC is a money-making outfit ONLY. They are no authority on hate groups.
Our Heavenly Father is bigger than any group that exists in our Nation! Sit back and watch him! Praise his Glorious Name! He loves his children. In Second Corinthin’s, God said, if you seek my face and call me by name. Turn away from your wicked sins. I shall hear you from Heaven and heal your Nation…. he inacted his promise by putting President Trump in office, using his children. That was just the beginning of his glorious works. Please continue to pray for our Country and for our President. Thanking God for all that he is doing and is going to for us.
SPLC is like Overstock.com. The name is meant to deceive. It is nice to have a Senator with the gnads to call them out.
AMERICAN FIRST
The Southern Poverty Law ☭enter? …or The Southern Poverty Law ☪enter?
The word “fake news” is getting so old and so p.c. that I shudder when I hear it. Can’t anyone be honest anymore? Whatever happened to the correct words such as LIE, LIAR, SLANDER, LIBEL and DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER.
It is time for the p.c.insanity of saying that right is wrong and wrong is right and good is evil and evil is good come to an end. Most of the American people are not idiots and we are sick of p.c. Why not replace it with THAT WHICH IS MORALLY CORRECT?
The real hate group are the pathetic media traitors. Turn them off.
Nice letter but it will do no good. They are set in their liberal ways. Why in the world they would cite anything the SPLC as anything credible is beyond me.
ABCNews – Banned me on my first comment, in which I said NOTHING. Guess they had a feeling I was bad news.
Obama stated that we are no longer a Christian nation. I think it would be good for someone in the white house to stand up and say that we are once again a Christian nation.