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John Stossel

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John Stossel
John Stossel speaking at the Free State Project's New Hampshire Liberty Forum.
Born (1947-03-06) March 6, 1947 (age 77)
Chicago Heights, Illinois, United States
EducationB.A. in psychology, Princeton University (1969)
Occupation(s)Journalist, author

John F. Stossel (born 6 March 1947) is a consumer reporter, author and co-anchor for the ABC News show 20/20.[1] Stossel practices advocacy journalism, which has resulted in frequent criticism from organizations that disagree with him. His reports, a blend of commentary and reporting, reflect his libertarian political philosophy, his views on economics (largely consistent with those of the Chicago school), and his skepticism of conventional wisdom. In his decades as a reporter, Stossel has received numerous honors and awards for his reports, as well as attracted criticism.

Stossel began his journalism career as a researcher for KGW-TV and later became a consumer reporter at WCBS-TV in New York City before joining ABC News as consumer editor and reporter on Good Morning America. Stossel went on to be a ABC News correspondent, joining the weekly news magazine program 20/20. Stossel has also written two books entitled Give Me a Break and Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity.

Biography and work

Education and Early career

John Stossel was born in Chicago Heights, IL, the second of two boys.[2] He overcame a stuttering problem so he could become a reporter. Stossel graduated from Princeton University with a BA in Psychology in 1969 and was a member of Princeton Tower Club while there. He began his journalism career as a researcher for KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon. He later became a consumer reporter at WCBS-TV in New York City before joining ABC News as consumer editor and reporter on Good Morning America.

Personal life

Stossel lives in New York City with his wife and their two children.[3] John's older brother, Tom, is a doctor.[2]

20/20

Stossel was named co- anchor of ABC News' 20/20 in May 2003. He joined the weekly news magazine program in 1981, initially as correspondent. His "Give Me a Break" segments featured a skeptical look at subjects ranging from government regulations and pop culture to censorship and unfounded fear. The series was spun off into a series of one-hour specials, beginning 1994, with titles including "Stupid in America", "Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?", "Junk Science: What You Know That May Not Be So", "Boys and Girls Are Different", "Freeloaders", "Greed", "Is America #1?", "You Can't Say That!", "Stossel Goes to Washington", "The Power of Belief", and "Sick in America".

Publications

Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity, authored by John Stossel, was published on May 1, 2005.

Stossel has written two books. Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media is an autobiography documenting his career and philosophical transition from liberalism to libertarianism. It describes his opposition to government regulation, his belief in free market and private enterprise, support for tort reform, and advocacy for shifting social services from the government to private charities. It was a New York Times bestseller for 11 weeks.[4] Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel — Why Everything You Know Is Wrong questions the validity of various conventional wisdoms, and argues that the belief he is conservative is untrue.

With financial support from the libertarian Palmer R. Chitester Fund, Stossel and ABC News launched a series of educational materials for public schools in 1999 entitled "Stossel in the Classroom".[5] In 2006, Stossel and ABC released Teaching Tools for Economics, a video series based on the National Council of Economics Education standards.[6]

Philosophical influences

Contrarianism

Stossel's news reports and writings debunk popular beliefs. His Myths and Lies series of 20/20 specials challenges a range of widely held beliefs. He also hosted The Power of Belief (October 6, 1998), an ABC News Special that focused on the claims of the paranormal and people's desire to believe. Another report outlined why opposition to DDT is misplaced and that the ban on DDT has resulted in millions of children's' deaths,[7] mostly in poor nations.[8] Although he is a skeptic of claims that climate changes will inevitably result in worldwide calamity, he acknowledges that the climate may be changing, but asserts that it's not clear if this is good or bad, or how good or how bad, and if anything we do to try to fix the problem would do more harm than good.[9] Central to his argument, he points out that groups and individuals get much more public attention, donations, and government funding when they proclaim "this will be terrible" than groups that say "this is nothing to worry about." He points to groups like the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, Rachel Carson, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore as examples of environmental scaremongers.[10] He was one of a handful of media personalities named by environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as "these Flat Earthers, these corporate toadies, lying to you, lying to the American public, and telling you that global warming doesn't exist ...."[11]

Libertarianism

A libertarian, Stossel believes in both personal freedom and the free market. He frequently uses television airtime to advance these views and challenge viewers' distrust of free market capitalism and economic competition. He told The Oregonian, on 26 October 1994:

I started out by viewing the marketplace as a cruel place, where you need intervention by government and lawyers to protect people. But after watching the regulators work, I have come to believe that markets are magical and the best protectors of the consumer. It is my job to explain the beauties of the free market.[12]

I'm a little embarrassed about how long it took me to see the folly of most government intervention. It was probably 15 years before I really woke up to the fact that almost everything government attempts to do, it makes worse.[13]

Stossel's argues that personal greed creates an incentive to work and to innovate.[14] He has promoted school choice as a way to improve American schools, because he believes that when people are given a choice they will choose the better schools for their children.[15] Referring to educational tests that rank American students lower than others he says:

The people who run the international tests told us, "the biggest predictor of student success is choice." Nations that "attach the money to the kids" and thereby allow parents to choose between different public and private schools have higher test scores. This should be no surprise; competition makes us better.[16]

He has also criticized government programs as inefficient, wasteful, and harmful.[17]

Awards, praise, and controversies

Awards

Stossel has won 19 Emmy Awards. Stossel was honored five times for excellence in consumer reporting by the National Press Club, and has received the George Polk Award for Outstanding Local Reporting and the Peabody Award. Stossel says when he was skeptical of business, he was deluged with awards. In one year, according to Stossel in his book Give Me A Break, "I got so many Emmys, another winner thanked me in his acceptance speech 'for not having an entry in this category'." According to Stossel, when he was in favor of government intervention he was deluged with awards. But in 2006, he noted, "[t]hey like me less... Once I started applying the same skepticism to government, I stopped winning awards."[13]

Praise

“John Stossel is the most consistently thought-provoking TV reporter of our time," said the Dallas Morning News. Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman lauded John Stossel saying, "Stossel is that rare creature, a TV commentator who understands economics, in all its subtlety." P. J. O'Rourke, best-selling author of Eat the Rich and Parliament of Whores praised Stossel saying, “... about John Stossel’s fact-finding. He seeks the truths that destroy truisms, wields reason against all that’s unreasonable, and ... puncture(s) sanctimonious idealism. ... He makes the maddening mad. And Stossel’s tales of the outrageous are outrageously amusing.” Steve Forbes, editor of Forbes Magazine described Stossel as riveting and "one of America’s ablest and most courageous journalists.[18] An article published by the libertarian group Advocates for Self Government notes praise for Stossel.[19] Anthony Gregor, writing on LewRockwell.com, described Stossel as a "heroic rogue... a media maverick and proponent of freedom in an otherwise statist, conformist mass media."[20] Investment analyst Mark Skousen said Stossel is "a true libertarian hero."[21]

Controversies

In a story on organic food, Stossel claimed that ABC News tests had shown that neither organic nor conventional produce samples contained any pesticide residue.[22] The Environmental Working Group revealed that the produce samples had been tested only for bacteria. The story was rebroadcast with the inaccurate statement uncorrected.[23][24][25] ABC News suspended the producer for a month and reprimanded Stossel, who issued an apology over the incident.[26]

In a story on laissez-faire economics, liberal economist James K. Galbraith said Stossel took a short interview clip out of context and that he was making the opposite point.[27] Stossel defended the overall work but acknowledged the possibility of error. Todd Seavey, the associate producer who conducted the interview, denied that there was any distortion.[28]

In a March 2007 segment about finances and lifestyles of televangelists, 20/20 aired a clip of TV minister originally broadcast by the Lifetime Network in 1997. The "voice over" said the minister was describing his "wealth" in extravagant terms, when actually, the minister was telling a parable about a rich man. ABC News twice aired an apology for the error. The minister sued Stossel, 20/20 and ABC for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. [29][30]

In an opinion piece called "Sick Sob Stories," Stossel described the case of Tracy and Julie Pierce that was explored in Michael Moore's film, Sicko.[31] Julie criticized Stossel, saying her husband would have been saved by the Canadian health care system, and she thought Stossel should have interviewed her and her doctor before writing about them.[32] Stossel expressed sympathy, but said she had been misled to believe the treatment was routinely available in Canada. In fact, the treatment is considered "experimental" in Canada and even more rarely provided than in the U.S.[33]

Organizations like Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR),[34] and Media Matters for America (MMfA),[35][36] have criticized Stossel's work, claiming "balance" of coverage,[37][38] "distortion of facts",[39][40][41][42] and other improper behavior.[43] David Mastio, of Salon.com, claims a conflict of interest for Stossel donating profits from his public speaking engagements (even though approved by ABC) to, among others, a charity that produces a program that features him.[44][45][46][47] Stossel has responded to some of the criticism.[48][49][16]

Schults incident

On December 28, 1984, during an interview for 20/20 on professional wrestling, wrestler David Schults assaulted Stossel after Stossel asked if professional wrestling was fake. Stossel claimed that he still suffered from pain and buzzing in his ears eight weeks after the assault.[50] Stossel sued and obtained a settlement from the WWF.[citation needed] Schults maintains that he attacked Stossel on orders from Vince McMahon, the head of the WWF.[51]

Notes

  1. ^ Stossel, John (2007-02-27). "Excerpt: John Stossel's 'Give Me a Break'". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "John Stossel". Notable Names Database. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  3. ^ "John Stossel Biography". HarperCollins. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  4. ^ "Columns by John Stossel". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  5. ^ Rose, Ted (2000-03). "Laissez-Faire TV". Media Transparency. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Teaching Tools for Economics from John Stossel". ABC News. 2007-04-29. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ THE DDT BAN TURNS 30 — Millions Dead of Malaria Because of Ban, More Deaths Likely
  8. ^ Stossel, John (2006-10-04). "Hooray for DDT's Life-Saving Comeback". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Stossel, John (2007-04-20). "The Global Warming Myth?". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Stossel, John (2006-07-05). "A Convenient Lie". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Johnson, Richard (July 13, 2007). "Warming War Has Foes on Fire". New York Post. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  12. ^ The Oregonian, 26 October 1994
  13. ^ a b Sigall, Ed (2006-06-03). "John Stossel: Not Afraid to Tell the Truth". NewsMax. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Stossel, John (2006-04-26). "Greed is good". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Stossel, John (2006-08-30). "Schools need competition now". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ a b Stossel, John (2006-07-26). "Smearing Education Choice". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "smearchoice" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  17. ^ Stossel, John (2006-08-16). "Does Government Stupidity Know Any Bounds". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Confessions of a Media Maverick: Exposing Hucksters, Cheats and Scam Artists". The Independent Institute Conference Center. 2004-01-30. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "John Stossel - Libertarian". Advocates for Self-Government. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  20. ^ Gregory, Anthony (2005-01-11). "Real TV News". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Skousen, Mark (2003-02-01). "A Year at FEE". Forecasts & Strategies. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Give Me a Fake: Stossel Under Fire". Environmental Working Group. 2000-09-06. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Rutenberg, Jim (2000-07-31). "Report on Organic Foods Is Challenged". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Rutenberg, Jim (2000-08-14). "MEDIA; Apology Highlights ABC Reporter's Contrarian Image". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ McElroy, Wendy (2000-08-15). "Blaspheming Organic Food: The Persecution of John Stossel". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Stossel, John (2000-08-11). "20/20: Stossel Apology for Organic Food Report". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1134
  28. ^ Rose, Ted (March 2000) "Laissez-Faire TV: ABC's John Stossel is a man on a mission to teach Americans about the evils of government regulation and the rewards of free enterprise." Brill's Content
  29. ^ Johnson, Gene C., Jr. (2007-08-02). "Price Strikes Back at ABC". Los Angeles Wave. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Semuels, Alana (2007-07-25). "Preacher sues '20/20,' alleging defamation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Stossel, John (2007-09-13). "Sick Sob Stories". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ Pierce, Julie (2007-09-14). "Open Letter to ABC's John Stossel ... from Julie Pierce, American SiCKO". Michael Moore. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Stossel, John (2007-09-25). "Stossel Responds to 'Sicko' Letter". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-09-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "John Stossel". Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  35. ^ "John Stossel". Media Matters for America. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  36. ^ "John Stossel". Media Transparency. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  37. ^ "In health-care special featuring mainly free-market advocates, Stossel endorsed Health Savings Accounts". Media Matters for America. 2007-09-16. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Spencer, Miranda (1995-05). "Desperately Seeking Difference: ABC Finds Biology Is Destiny". Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "Stossel Tampers with the Facts". Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. 2001-07-17. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Hart, Peter (2007-05). "In Denial on Climate Change". Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Stossel's Distortions Finally Catching Up With Him?". Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ "Stossel presented skewed 20/20 segment on "stupid" public schools". Media Matters for America. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ "Letter from parents to Mr. Stossel" (PDF). Environmental Working Group. 2001-06-24. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  44. ^ Mastio, Daivd (2000-02-25). "Prime-time propagandist". Salon Media. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ Dowie, Mark (2001-12-20). "A Teflon Correspondent". The Nation. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ Keeler, Barbara. "John Stossel, Junk Journalism & the Poison Peddlers". The Great Boycott. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ "Palmer R. Chitester Fund". Media Transparency. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  48. ^ "Does David Brock Have Any Credibility Left?; Is John Stossel Challenging Environmentalists or Slanting News?". CNN. 2001-06-30. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ http://www.ewg.org/node/19634
  50. ^ Kaplan, Peter W. (1985-02-23). "TV Notes;ABC Reporter May Sue Wrestler Who Hit Him". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ Johnson, Steven (2006-10-08). "Dr. D dominates PWHF dinner". Canoe. Retrieved 2007-09-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Further reading

  • John, Stossel (2007). Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel - Why Everything You Know is Wrong (Paperback ed.). Hyperion. ISBN 0-78689-393-1.
  • John, Stossel (2005). Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media... (Paperback ed.). Harper Paperbacks. ISBN 0-06-052915-6.

Biographies of, and articles about, Stossel

Articles by Stossel

Stossel Supporters and Critics

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  1. ^ American Justice Partnership (2005-12-12). "Special Interview...Steve Hantler (of) John Stossel" (17 minute MP3 audio). Retrieved 2007-10-14.
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