NBC, FOX coverage of Capitol Hill sex tape scandal is starkly different

[KARAH RUCKER]

A SEX TAPE FILMED INSIDE THE CAPITOL, AND A SENATE STAFFER REPORTEDLY AT THE CENTER OF THE CONTROVERSY HAS BEEN FIRED. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW.

A PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO INVOLVING TWO MEN SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN RECORDED INSIDE A SENATE HEARING ROOM.

THE DAILY CALLER WAS FIRST TO REPORT ON THE CAPITOL HILL SCANDAL. THEY SAY THE FILM WAS FIRST POSTED IN A PRIVATE SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP.

THE VIDEO LEAKED AND HAS LED TO THE OUSTING OF A STAFFER FOR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR BEN CARDIN OF MARYLAND.

THE STAFFER RELEASED A STATEMENT ON LINKEDIN:

“I HAVE BEEN ATTACKED FOR WHO I LOVE TO PURSUE A POLITICAL AGENDA. WHILE SOME OF MY ACTIONS IN THE PAST HAVE SHOWN POOR JUDGMENT, I LOVE MY JOB AND WOULD NEVER DISRESPECT MY WORKPLACE. ANY ATTEMPTS TO CHARACTERIZE MY ACTIONS OTHERWISE ARE FABRICATED.”

THE REVELATION HAS LED TO SOME REPORTS CRITICAL OF THE COVERAGE OF THE SCANDAL.  

NBC’S HEADLINE, “SENATE STAFFER ALLEGED BY CONSERVATIVE OUTLETS TO HAVE HAD SEX IN A HEARING ROOM IS NO LONGER EMPLOYED.”

FOX’S HEADLINE READ “NBC NEWS FRAMES SENATE SEX TAPE VIDEO AS ‘CONSERVATIVE NEWS OUTLETS’ PUSHING THE STORY.”

EVEN SENATOR CARDIN RELEASED A STATEMENT WHEN THE STORY WAS FIRST COMING TO LIGHT SAYING THEY HAD SEEN THE REPORTS FROM THE QUOTE  “RIGHT-WING MEDIA” AND WERE INVESTIGATING.

THAT INVESTIGATION HAS SO FAR LED TO THE FIRING OF THEIR STAFFER.