Networks Deluge Viewers With Collins Coverage, Hype Trump Connection

[See NewsBusters for more.] Following the arrest of Republican Congressman Chris Collins, the broadcast networks once again showcased their partisan double standard when it comes to corruption allegations against members of Congress. Collins’s arrest on Wednesday on insider trading charges resulted in a deluge of coverage, over 18 minutes in less than 24 hours. But in 2015 and 2016, ABC, CBS and NBC buried the indictment, trial and conviction of two Democratic representatives, offering absolutely no coverage of the scandal surrounding Congresswoman Corrine Brown (convicted of fraud) and a paltry 68 seconds to Chaka Fattah (convicted of bribery and fraud). This double standard played out on the Wednesday nightly news programs and Thursday’s morning shows. These networks provided 18 minutes and 24 seconds to the charges against Collins. CBS devoted the most coverage, hyping the story for 7 minutes and 6 seconds. ABC came in second, offering 5 minutes and 41 seconds. A close third, NBC highlighted the accusations against the New York politician for 5 minutes and 37 seconds.