While discussing recent controversies involving U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Peter Boyles erroneously stated that “watchdogs” have criticized him, but not other Colorado media. In fact, Colorado Media Matters has identified numerous sources of misinformation by Colorado media outlets in addition to Boyles' show that were related to illegal immigration.
Boyles erroneously stated that “watchdogs” have criticized him, but not other Colorado media
Written by Media Matters Staff
Published
During the December 4 broadcast of his 630 KHOW-AM radio show, host Peter Boyles discussed recent controversies involving U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) and asked listeners, “What is it about this show that scares people that they have ... these watchdogs and the rest of this stuff? What must it be?” Boyles added, “My God, you don't have any problems with the Rocky Mountain News. You don't have problems with The Denver Post. You don't have any problems with [local TV channels] 2, 4, 7, or 9 when it comes to this stuff. You don't have problems with a lot of the talk shows in this city about it. What is it?”
From the December 4 broadcast of 630 KHOW-AM's The Peter Boyles Show:
BOYLES: What is it about what Tancredo says that frightens these people? What is it about this show that scares people that they have, they have to put these, uh, these watchdogs and the rest of this stuff? What must it be? My God, you don't have any problems with the Rocky Mountain News. You don't have problems with The Denver Post. You don't have any problems with 2, 4, 7, or 9 when it comes to this stuff. You don't have problems with a lot of the talk shows in this city about it. What is it? You don't hear Diana DeGette saying anything; you don't hear Udall saying anything; you don't hear the incoming governor -- or the outgoing governor, for that matter -- you don't hear the mayor of the city, the speaker of the house -- anybody in almost every congressional district in the -- except for this guy. And he is the guy that gets the headlines. Why must Tancredo be discredited? Why, why, -- what is it that he seriously threatens?
Boyles' comments followed his discussion of a violent protest that disrupted Tancredo's November 30 speech at Michigan State University.
Presumably, Boyles was referring to Colorado Media Matters, in addition to other critics of his show. Colorado Media Matters has identified numerous instances in which Boyles and his guests have used false or misleading information while discussing issues related to immigration. Furthermore, contrary to Boyles' assertion, Colorado Media Matters has identified numerous sources of misinformation related to illegal immigration from other media outlets, including the Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, KMGH 7News, and KUSA 9News, as well as conservative radio personalities including Newsradio 850 KOA's Mike Rosen and “Gunny” Bob Newman, and Boyles' 630 KHOW-AM colleague Dan Caplis. Below is a list of examples:
November 29
KMGH aired Tancredo falsehood that Miami is the “murder capital of the world”
October 23
September 26
September 25
September 22
September 14
Post reports Tancredo's ties to Americans Have Had Enough Coalition
September 7
September 1
September 1
9News failed to note criticism that Allard's immigration field hearing was politically motivated
August 30
August 21
The Denver Post uncritically repeated Beauprez's statement on “sanctuary cities”
August 18
August 4
August 2
July 26
July 18
From the December 4 broadcast of 630 KHOW-AM's The Peter Boyles Show:
BOYLES: What is it about Tancredo? What is it about what he says and does that these people must discredit him with either websites or newspaper columns? It's, it's -- of all the people, he must be discredited. He must really threaten these people; this show must threaten people. But as you know, uh, what happened at Michigan State -- and I talked to him about it -- and they were holding signs up when Tancredo went to speak -- and by the way, they spit on people, they threw, uh, threw things at people, they um -- they tried to hit people, um -- they were -- one guy gets slapped, um -- and it goes on. It was done by the protesters. Signs that said ignorant racist; sign that said, where's the wall to keep you out? Remember, we went through that with Terrance Carroll here, who won't come on the show -- I guess doesn't return phone calls -- but he's a representative of the people. Um, signs: no Nazis; no KKK; racist USA. Uh, signs calling people fascists, which I think, don't even think they know what that means. And then some guy would call in -- and we'll invite him on the show, see if he comes on -- Joe Garcia, who is the head of an organization that's called New Democrat Network and director of its Hispanic Strategy Center -- he said, “It's morons like him” -- meaning Tancredo -- “that gave us, the Democrats, the House and the Senate, and was going to give us the White House.” Now, George Bush's policies -- there's one congressperson in a rather small district in Colorado, and according to Mr. Garcia, he's the reason why the Bushies got clubbed. I hardly think so.
But what must it be that this has to be done? What is it about what Tancredo says that frightens these people? What is it about this show that scares people that they have, they have to put these, uh, these watchdogs and the rest of this stuff? What must it be? My God, you don't have any problems with the Rocky Mountain News. You don't have problems with The Denver Post. You don't have any problems with 2, 4, 7, or 9 when it comes to this stuff. You don't have problems with a lot of the talk shows in this city about it. What is it? You don't hear Diana DeGette saying anything; you don't hear Udall saying anything; you don't hear the incoming governor -- or the outgoing governor, for that matter -- you don't hear the mayor of the city, the speaker of the house -- anybody in almost every congressional district in the -- except for this guy. And he is the guy that gets the headlines. Why must Tancredo be discredited? Why, why, -- what is it that he seriously threatens?