August 4, 2018

"The Newseum has removed the 'You Are Very Fake News' t-shirts from the gift shop and online. We made a mistake and we apologize."

"A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people. Questions have also been raised regarding other merchandise. As an organization that celebrates the rights of people from all political spectrums to express themselves freely, we’ve historically made all types of political merchandise available for our guests to purchase. That has included former and current presidential slogans and imagery and merchandise from all political parties. We continue to do so in celebration of freedom of speech."

The Newseum newsplains.

So I guess you can still buy MAGA hats there. From yesterday:


37 comments:

I'm Full of Soup said...

I thought I heard the Newseum was going out of business?

Jaq said...

s an organization that celebrates the rights of people from all political spectrums to express themselves freely, we’ve historically made all types of political merchandise available for our guests to purchase.

Until today, because of Trump, this whole Enlightenment business has got to end!

Henry said...

What does "you are very fake news" even mean?

Jaq said...

Wasn’t it Hillary who first made the accusations of “Fake News”? Wasn’t this originally an attack from the left?

rehajm said...

Standing up for free speech and a free press.

Ken B said...

Apparently it’s fake news that there’s fake news.

Jaq said...

One more torpedo that circled back.

Ken B said...

Tim in V
Yes it was. I believe similarly that Orson Welles invented “fatty fatty two by four”.

rehajm said...

Faje news was a term invented by the Clinton team to respond to anyone sniffing about her felonies or corruption. Jim Acosta sure had to pivot but is hanging in there.

Big Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Althouse said...

"Fake news" is one of the news stories about the news that a museum about news should deal with.

Big Mike said...

I guess I will have to buy my “Fake News” T-shirt online. Does anyone know whether Amazon has it?

eddie willers said...

Wasn’t it Hillary who first made the accusations of “Fake News”? Wasn’t this originally an attack from the left?

Yes. The left was all over it until Trump said in a press conference (I think to CNN) "No I won't call on you. You are fake news."

He's owned it ever since (and it really pisses them off)

The Vault Dweller said...

Isn't part of the history of news, how people interact with those who give them the news? They aren't supposed to be some sort of ecclesiastical elite dispensing truth to the masses. It seems like a two party interaction at the very least, if not more parties in the current day, as the average citizen is compelled to wade through many sources to determine what is actually going on in the world.

CWJ said...

tim in vermont @ 4:42,

"One more torpedo that circled back."

Thread winner!

CWJ said...

Fake news. Birtherism. Hillary campaign memes that are ultimately blamed upon Democrat opponents. Kids in cages was an Obama era photo, but Trump!

There is no truth in politics. Perhaps there never was. And yet only the right is expected to account for political "truth." There's always an excuse for the left.

Darrell said...

The AOS Crew comes up with ideas for museum exhibits that highlight low moments in US journalism.

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=376421

chuck said...

"A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people."

Nevermind

Night Owl said...

"... journalists are not the enemy of the people."

They colluded with the intelligence and justice depts to harm a newly elected President by leaking fake news. And on a daily basis, they pit Americans against Americans by peddling fear, hysteria and hatred towards the President and "deplorable" Trump supporters, for ratings and profits.

If the journalists in the American media are not the enemy of the people why do their divisive tactics so closely resemble that of the Russian trolls that bought facebook ads?

exhelodrvr1 said...

And now that shop will go out-of-business (it's having significant financial problems). A lesson that will be lost on the left, no doubt.

Gahrie said...

So I guess you can still buy MAGA hats there.

I bet they're "sold out".

Gahrie said...

A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people.

The word "press" in the First Amendment does not refer to people, i.e. journalists. In the 18th century "press" referred to the machine required to express your ideas, i.e. a printing press. The Constitution provides no rights, privileges or immunities to those that "report" the news. It protects everyone's right to express and publish their ideas.

wild chicken said...

He's owned it ever since (and it really pisses them off


Remember when they also touted their own News Product because it was "curated"!

Good times.

Michael K said...

Did you add the "That's Not Funny!" tag to this post ?

Anonymous said...

"A free press is an essential part of our democracy and journalists are not the enemy of the people."

What does the former clause have to do with whether or not the media (or parts of the media) are pumping out fake news? Nothing.

And of course a journalist can be "an enemy of the people". There's nothing inherent in being a journalist that precludes his being any variety of hero or villain.

Basic logic failures like this are really annoying. These people have oatmeal for brains.

Browndog said...

Nothing screams '1st Amendment' more than the 'Free Press" demanding a T-shirt be banned.

The fact said T-shirt was banned reinforces my inclination that Donald J. Trump is our last hope for Free America.

Wince said...

Did anyone notice whether their eyes were blinking in morse code while reading that statement of apology aloud?

Michael K said...

Oh heck. I was gonna order one.

Probably two; one for my brother-in-law.

I'm Full of Soup said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
HoodlumDoodlum said...

Nice to see the Media outraged about free speech/free expression when they happen to disagree with the particular expression.
Pretty good summary of where we are now, really.

Kevin said...

It’s just this war and that tweeting son of a bitch Trump.

stlcdr said...

But why? Is is simply because it has ‘fake news’ in the text. Or is it that people will stand in front of reporters/journos with the t-Shirt on who will then run away and cry?

Jason said...

Media: “We believe in afflicting the comfortable and speaking truth to power.

NO NOT LIKE THAT!”

hstad said...

I guess the actual "Donors" of the Newseum couldn't stand the heat! This is why I am a big sceptic of donations with attachments of "anonymity" - which hides responsibility of the donors. Such money should be shown the "light of day" test in a free society.

“Liberty not only means that the individual has both the opportunity and the burden of choice; it also means that he must bear the consequences…Liberty and responsibility are inseparable.” F.A. Hayek.

These attacks against freedom of speech is coming from the MSM. I've always warned against the concentration of power (like monopolies) in a few hands. Journalism is the same! When the "Tribe" controlling journalism is outed they circle the wagons and attack.

Jim at said...

The churlish, totalitarian, thuggish left 'wins' again.

Jim at said...

If certain media outlets weren't the enemy of a good portion of Americans, just what would they be doing differently?

Anthony said...

No, they're just the enemy the people with more than a few active neurons.