For Immediate Release: A Manufactured Crisis

Last month, ConWebWatch noted a WorldNetDaily story based almost entirely on a press release by a conservative legal group. It appeared as part of a wave of WND stories citing examples of alleged attacks on Christmas, Christianity in general or American traditions like the Declaration of Independence.

This prompted us to wonder: How many of these stories that WND is promoting as part of its "news" product are really just glorified versions of press releases issued by conservative legal and advocacy groups?

ConWebWatch examined several original WND stories from the past few weeks. Press releases from conservative groups clearly were the impetus for many of them, down to, in one case, running the release nearly word for word. ConWebWatch also found that in many cases, the other side of the story -- what the school or other institution has to say about the charges being made by the conservative group -- is not presented; if it is, it often appears far down in the story after the conservative group's charges are quoted in detail, and the conservative group may then be permitted to rebut any charges that are made.

Listed below are the details of 15 recent WND stories and the press releases from which they sprang:

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WND story: "Anti-Christmas district hit with federal lawsuit," Dec. 20 (South Orange/Maplewood, N.J.)

Source of press release it was based on: Thomas More Law Center

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WND story: "Officials reverse decision to bar Christmas trees," Dec. 18

Source of press release it was based on: American Center for Law and Justice.

WND's fidelity to press release: High, though it adds information about a related Christmas tree-banning case.

Other side of the story provided? No.

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WND story: "Federal judge rules for Nativity display," Dec. 15 (Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.)

Source of press release it was based on: Thomas More Law Center.

WND's fidelity to press release: High; it's rewritten but contains nothing that wasn't in the press release

Other side of the story provided? No.

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WND story: "Schools prohibit Christmas colors," by Ron Strom, Dec. 15 (Plano, Texas)

Source of press release it was based on: Liberty Legal Institute ("Children Victimized by School District’s Unconstitutional Censorship Policy"), Alliance Defense Fund.

WND's fidelity to press release: Low. Strom contacted Kelly Shackelford, Liberty Legal's chief counsel, for more comment; quotes from Alliance Defense Fund taken from its press release.

Other side of the story provided? No. Last paragraph of story claims that "[a] request for a response" from the school district "had not been fulfilled by press time."

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WND story: "Justice opens probe into school district," Dec. 16, by Ron Strom (Plano, Texas)

Source of press release it was based on: Liberty Legal Institute ("Justice Department Opens Investigation In "Candy Cane Case").

WND's fidelity to press release: Low. Strom again contacted Kelly Shackelford, Liberty Legal's chief counsel, for more comment.

Other side of the story provided? Yes; school district's attorney is allowed two paragraphs, but Shackelford is given the opportunity to rebut him.

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WND story: "School district backs down, will allow Christmas cards," Dec. 14 (West Bend, Wis.)

Source of press release it was based on: Liberty Counsel.

WND's fidelity to press release: High. Everything in WND's story was in the press release.

Other side of the story provided? No.

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WND story: "City will prosecute Christian protesters," Dec. 14 (Philadelphia)

Source of press release it was based on: American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy.

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WND story: "School censors Christmas from student performance," Dec. 10 (Mustang, Okla.)

Source of press release it was based on: Alliance Defense Fund.

WND's fidelity to press release: Low. WND adds details from a local TV report and an Associated Press story.

Other side of the story provided? Yes; WND adds quote from school superintendent defending decision.

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WND story: "Church leaders threatens Target boycott," Dec. 3

Source of press release it was based on: National Clergy Council.

WND's fidelity to press release: Medium. The National Clergy Council's statements from the press release are featured, but also adds a quote from Concerned Women for America.

Other side of the story provided? Yes; WND adds quotes from Target spokesman defending the chain's decision.

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WND story: "Schools snub Christian group despite ruling," Dec. 3 (Montgomery County, Md.)

Source of press release it was based on: Center for Law & Religious Freedom.

WND's fidelity to press release: High, down to the center's encouraging the public to attend a legal hearing.

Other side of the story provided? No.

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WND story: "Group to sing carols in front of ACLU office," Dec. 4

Source of press release it was based on: Public Advocate of the United States.

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WND story: "Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?" Nov. 23

Source of press release it was based on: Alliance Defense Fund.

WND's fidelity to press release: Very high. Story is structured like press release.

Other side of the story provided? No.

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WND story: "ACLU loses Christmas case," Nov. 16 (Cranston, R.I.)

Source of press release it was based on: Alliance Defense Fund.