According to a Media Research Center report, left-wing news networks CNN and MSNBC overwhelmingly referred to the anti-ICE demonstrations as “mostly peaceful” — and almost never said “riot.”
From The Media Research Center:
MRC analysts looked at all coverage on CNN and MSNBC from June 7 through June 11 that aired between 5:00 am and 11:59 pm ET, finding 211 instances in which anchors, guests, or reporters described the riots in LA as “peaceful,” or some permutation thereof (details below). CNN was responsible for 123 such utterances, while MSNBC aired the remaining 88.
Over the weekend of June 7, both networks invited on a cavalcade of Democratic officials from California, offering them a free platform to allege that the unfolding riots were “mostly peaceful.” By Sunday, June 8, many of the journalists themselves had begun repeating those same claims — even as images of looted stores and torched cars appeared on screen.
Reporters attempted to justify their claims by arbitrarily separating the peaceful and violent members of the same crowd. The rioters were framed exclusively as “rogue actors,” or “lone wolves,” and there was never any suggestion that they might share common cause with the nonviolent individuals accompanying them:
“There are agitators, of course, in every crowd but most of the crowds that I saw, that I spoke to… these are peaceful people.” — MSNBC’s Steve Patterson, Sunday, June 8.
“The intention, it seems, is to lump in violent rioters and peaceful protestors.” — CNN’s Brian Stelter, Monday, June 9.
“There were some incidents of violence. There were specific individuals involved in that. By and large, peaceful protest.”— CNN’s Erin Burnett, Wednesday, June 11.
Full report over at The Media Reseach Center:
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— Media Research Center (@theMRC) June 17, 2025
