More in the cross-post on the MRC's NewsBusters blog.
On Monday, the three network morning shows hyped “security concerns” over Ohio’s open carry gun law and the prospect of protesters being armed around the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. On NBC’s Today, correspondent Stephanie Gosk feared: “The other concern that police have, that people are going to come here carrying their guns. There is a long list of banned items, but because of Ohio law, they are allowed to bring guns.”
She then touted “the head of the police union” in the city “calling on Governor John Kasich to declare a state of emergency, suspend that law.” Gosk lamented: “But the Governor says that is beyond his authority.” In an interview with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson that followed, co-host Matt Lauer urged: “We know that in the wake of the police shootings down in Dallas, the open carry laws created some confusion. You have similar laws here. Are you worried about it? Should that law be suspended temporarily?”