NBC on Death of Pro-Communist Activist: ‘Enduring Voice for Progressives’

[See NewsBusters for more.] NBC on Monday spun the death of Tom Hayden, a ‘60s era radical activist who spouted pro-Communist propaganda, as an “enduring voice for progressive causes.” Matt Lauer simply referred to Hayden as someone who made “trips to North Vietnam,” but never described him as extreme. ABC’s Good Morning America also avoided such judgment. Only CBS This Morning referred to Hayden as a “radical activist.” On the Today show, Lauer lamented, “We have some sad news to tell you about: Tom Hayden, the famed 1960s anti-war activist and former husband of actress Jane Fonda, has died.” Highlighting the activist’s later political career, the NBC host gushed, “He remained an enduring voice for progressive causes — including education and the environment. Tom Hayden was 76 years old.”