More in the cross-post on the MRC's NewsBusters blog.
On Monday, all three network morning shows covered the violent May Day rioting that broke out across Seattle on Sunday. However, the NBC, ABC, and CBS broadcasts made sure to tout how “the march began as a peaceful demonstration for the rights of workers and immigrants.” No liberal labels were used to characterize the protesters and the reporters avoided explaining the Communist roots of the day.
On NBC’s Today, co-host Matt Lauer described: “Violent May Day clashes in Seattle between anti-capitalist demonstrators and the police.” Correspondent Gadi Schwartz explained: “Police say they tried to take a hands-off approach, but when people started throwing things at them, they had to switch from crowd control into riot mode.”