CNN’s former employee Chris Cillizza faces backlash for suggesting Biden never told coal miners to ‘learn to code
CNN Reporter Faces Backlash for Misrepresenting Biden’s Comments on Job Transition
A recent tweet by CNN reporter Chris Cillizza sparked controversy and a Community Note after he falsely claimed that President Joe Biden had never suggested workers could switch professions by learning to code.
The conversation began with news of layoffs at various media outlets, including The Los Angeles Times. DeSantis’ Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern responded to the layoffs, stating, “The LA Times is not having a good day, and I’m at peace with that.”
Redfern, who had been targeted by the media in the past, did not see the layoffs as a cause for celebration. However, Cillizza disagreed, tweeting, “Will never get people who celebrate when other humans — with families, mortgages, medical bills etc — lose their jobs.”
Will never get people who celebrate when other humans — with families, mortgages, medical bills etc — lose their jobs https://t.co/uAsqPbnUEx
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) January 24, 2024
One person responded by mentioning how journalists had treated coal miners, to which Cillizza replied, “They didn’t though. At all. Biden said it (and he didn’t even say ‘learn to code’). Like, facts matter.”
They didn’t though. At all. Biden said it (and he didn’t even say “learn to code”).
Like, facts matter. https://t.co/nXtTKXBZ1Y
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) January 24, 2024
Another person criticized journalists for celebrating layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested they should learn to code. Cillizza responded by reiterating that neither journalists nor Biden had made such statements.
It just didn’t happen.
And, again, no journalist said “learn to code.” And neither did Biden. https://t.co/Tkd6lpvEnt
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) January 24, 2024
A Community Note was then shared, linking to a 2019 article from The Hill. The note highlighted Biden’s statement during a campaign rally in 2019, where he said, “Anybody who can go down 3,000 feet in a mine can sure as hell learn to program as well,” as part of a proposal to transition away from fossil fuels.
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GOP Rapid Response director Jake Schneider shared a video of Biden explicitly stating that coal miners could learn to program.
“Anybody who can throw coal into a furnace can learn how to program for God’s sake!”pic.twitter.com/kTYS5Wm4S3
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) January 24, 2024
Why is fact-checking and verifying information crucial, especially on social media platforms, to prevent the spread of misinformation
Ref=”https://twitter.com/ChrisCillizza/status/1749980195424083969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 24, 2024
However, Cillizza’s statement is incorrect and has caused significant backlash for misrepresenting Biden’s comments on job transitions. In fact, President Biden did suggest that workers could switch professions by learning to code during a town hall event in 2019.
During the event, a voter asked Biden about his plans to help workers who were losing their jobs due to automation and artificial intelligence. In response, Biden stated, “Anybody who can throw coal into a furnace can learn how to program for God’s sake.”
While Biden did not specifically mention the phrase “learn to code,” his statement clearly implied that workers should acquire new skills, including coding, to adapt to changing job markets. This suggestion aligns with the prevalent idea that technological advancements require individuals to upskill and retrain themselves to maintain employability.
Cillizza’s false claim of Biden never suggesting workers could switch professions by learning to code not only spreads misinformation but also undermines the validity of Biden’s original statement. It misrepresents the president’s position on job transitions and fuels unnecessary controversy.
Misrepresenting quotes and spreading misinformation is a significant issue in today’s media landscape. Journalists have a responsibility to accurately report and provide context for statements made by public figures. By misrepresenting Biden’s comments, Cillizza failed to fulfill this responsibility and eroded trust in the media’s ability to relay accurate information.
The incident also highlights the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before making public statements, especially on social media platforms where misinformation can spread rapidly. Journalists, as gatekeepers of information, bear the responsibility of ensuring the accuracy and integrity of their reporting.
The backlash faced by Cillizza is a consequence of his failure to adhere to these principles of responsible journalism. It serves as a reminder of the need for media professionals to prioritize accuracy and avoid misrepresenting statements to fit their narratives or agendas.
In conclusion, CNN reporter Chris Cillizza’s misrepresentation of President Biden’s comments on job transitions has led to backlash and undermined the trust in the media. It is essential for journalists to adhere to the principles of responsible journalism, which include fact-checking, accurately reporting, and providing context for statements made by public figures. Effective and ethical reporting is crucial in maintaining the integrity and credibility of the media industry, especially in an era where misinformation is rampant.
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