Topic: Media Research Center
Ina Feb. 9 MRC Culture & Media Institute item, Sarah Knoploh invokes the Depiction-Equals-Approval Fallacy by claiming that actress Anne Hathaway's decision to leave the Catholic Church was met by "media cheers." How so? "USA Today, New York magazine and The Huffington Post used the public break as an opportunity to scold the Church."
Knoploh's definition of "scolding," it seems, is as skewed as declaring short blurbs in three unrelated media outlets to be "cheers." There's no "scolding" going on; all these outlets did is report what Hathaway has said on the issue. All three outlets reported Hathway statement that "Why should I support an organization that has a limited view of my beloved brother?"
Knoploh also took offense at references to the Catholic church's "intolerant views on homosexuality," but she doesn't dispute the accuracy of the characterization.
Kolploh also appears to scoff at the idea that Hathaway once thought as a child about becoming a nun. Speaking from experience, it's not uncommon for a Catholic child to consider the priesthood or sisterhood at some point in their childhoods, however fleetingly.
Knoploh's wildly inaccurate confusion of reporting and opinion is apparently encouraged at CMI; Carolyn Plocher, in a Feb. 11 CMI post, referenced how Hathaway "recently announced to a cheering media" she was leaving the church.
