It has been a tough week for Julia Ioffe – and it is only Monday! Just yesterday she was caught up in the bogus Pat Robertson story, and now today she has continued to show her stark struggles with the basic precepts of research. Only this time she has not only been exposed as lacking the skills in that department — she has also basically admitted to it.
It appears the latest JournoList style talking point has gone out to the press corps, one once again fed by Media Matters. Within days there has been a wide assortment of media members all chiming in that President Trump is overselling the possible coronavirus remedy hydroxychloroquine. Here is MMFA operative Matt Gertz showing how he kicked off the narrative for the press to follow.
I really can't stress enough that when you ask yourself "why is the president obsessed with this weird thing" the answer is almost always "he saw something about it on Fox."
Left, me on March 20.
Right, Reuters yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Jt0HqO0yKS— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) April 6, 2020
Julia joined in that chorus this evening. She did so in a curious fashion.
Can someone please explain to me why Trump et al are so hung up on hydroxychloroquine? Because I really don't get it.
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) April 6, 2020
Um…Julia? As a writer myself (albeit one lacking your J-school pedigree, flashy industry contacts, and sycophantic devotion to the state) I am slightly curious about something myself in your content. If I could be so crass as to answer your question with a question: ‘AREN’T YOU A JOURNALIST?!
It seems surprising that you would not actually delve into a story such as this where you at least exhibit a modicum of curiosity. It is absolutely astounding, however, that you would come out and admit that you have no intention to ever look into this detail.
You’re right, you don’t get it. But then you haven’t really tried.
— (((Charlie Martin))) (@chasrmartin) April 6, 2020
Well… a journalist wouldn't NEED someone to explain it to them… a journalist would do the research and due diligence to discover and report upon it…
— Jeebus Christos (@travelinjeebus) April 6, 2020
But Google is sooooo hard! pic.twitter.com/7fbia37ysV
— Courtney (@AlaskanCourtney) April 6, 2020
She's literally being a Russian troll.
— Aggie The Barbabe (@AggieTheBarkeep) April 6, 2020
Another aspect in all of this slanted coverage is that notice New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been equally enthusiastic about obtaining the drug — but curiously he has not been equally coming under criticism for being ”so hung up” on it.
Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo: asking federal government to increase hydroxychloroquine supply because there is some evidence that it appears to be workinghttps://t.co/PvaC51IjLY pic.twitter.com/oQXW00sA7t
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 6, 2020
Now, because we here at Twitchy want to sometimes be a helpful voice (instead of always being a snark-factory) let us offer up this helpful news report for Julia Ioffe. It shows how thousands of doctors from nearly three dozen countries are also ”hung up” on the possibility of hydroxychloroquine becoming a useful agent to fight this outbreak.
Hydroxychloroquine rated 'most effective therapy' by doctors for coronavirus: Global survey https://t.co/rnshJqzP4O
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 2, 2020
Understanding this is not a story fed by Media Matters means that she is unlikely to take it seriously, but after all – she did ask for help on the matter.
