Media Bias Outrage Archives - CBS Disturbed That IRS Must Inform Taxpayers

banner: fairpress.org, Citizens Coalition for Responsible Media, fighting media bias


Home Media Bias Outrage/Week Outrage of the Month Outrage Archive On The Offensive On The Offensive Archive Hot Topic Links Special Features Activism Press Releases Rolodex Activist Handbook Thread Archive Identify Media Bias Mission Statement Guestbook Contact Us	CBS Disturbed That IRS Must Inform Taxpayers 06/25/2001 CBS (and apparently only CBS) found it disquieting that the IRS is planning a mailing to inform taxpayers about the upcoming tax rebate provided for by the recent tax relief bill. CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante and congressional Democrats who did not support tax relief are irritated by the cost of the mailing (estimated at $21 million to notify over 90 million taxpayers) and especially by the positive spin the letter gives to Congress and the president. There are, in fact, two letters being sent out: one for those who did pay taxes and WILL be receiving a rebate and one for those who didn't pay taxes or were claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer and thus WILL NOT be receiving a rebate. Both letters give credit to the U.S. Congress and President Bush. The IRS says Congress instructed them to send out notification letters, but didn't tell them what to say. The White House was asked to sign off on the wording of the letter. The purpose of the letter is to inform taxpayers and save the IRS time in answering questions from confused taxpayers. They are also publicizing the tax rebate on their web site, www.irs.gov. Democrats who voted against the tax relief bill are calling the letter a political ploy. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, to reporters: "This letter looks more like it was written for a candidate in a campaign than for a government agency. They're bragging about the tax cuts." In a letter Tuesday (06/19/2001) to Treasure Secretary Paul O'Neill, Schumer alleged that this mailing "could harm the reputation of the IRS". Oh, no!!!!! "Maybe there wouldn't be any need for a letter if CBS News and the other networks had been less politically-motivated in their coverage. Imagine all those who will be surprised to learn they are getting a tax cut after hearing for months about how the cut is skewed to the wealthy." Media Research Center CyberAlert, 06/20/2001 I would like to ask Bill Plante and the CBS Evening News a few questions: Have you done the math? $21 million divided among 90 million taxpayers comes out to an expenditure of .23 per individual. Sounds like a bargain to me! About time the government spent some money and effort on my behalf. If you folks at CBS are unhappy with you tax rebate, would you please just sign the back and send it to me? Unfortunately, this mailing will cost you .34. Isn't it possible that Sen. Schumer's press conference on this non-issue was politically self-serving and not the big news headline that the CBS Evening News tried to build it into? No wonder we can't take the CBS Evening News seriously anymore! They have chosen to serve as the Democrats' propaganda service! Let Bill Plante and the CBS Evening News team know what you think of their behavior: CBS News Feedback Read more here: Dear Taxpayer . . . Upset by Thanks to Congress and Bush When you feel your personal media bias tolerance gauge rising into the red zone, don't throw stuff at the TV screen! Send your suggestion to outrage@fairpress.org! Each week, one hideous example of media bias will be selected for closer examination. Hmmmmmm . . . Click to read the current