Join us
the observatory

Republicans and Bears, Oh My

Charlie Petit, who runs the Knight Science Journalism Tracker, has had it with John McCain using a scientific study of bear populations in the northern Rockies...
September 30, 2008

Sign up for The Media Today, CJR’s daily newsletter.

Charlie Petit, who runs the Knight Science Journalism Tracker, has had it with John McCain using a scientific study of bear populations in the northern Rockies as “the butt of low-brow jokes.” McCain has repeatedly cited the study as an example of wasteful federal earmarks, mischaracterizing what is actually a worthwhile and relatively inexpensive project. It’s the kind inconspicuous, but no less damaging politicking that journalists tend to ignore because it’s not really enough to hang a story on. But Petit, thankfully, finds and rounds up a number of press items that have sought to set the record straight.

Has America ever needed a media defender more than now? Help us by joining CJR today.

Curtis Brainard writes on science and environment reporting. Follow him on Twitter @cbrainard.