Former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean and New York Times deputy Washington editor Jonathan Weisman called the Washington Free Beacon "fake news" on Monday in response to a pair of stories involving coverage of Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff.
Ossoff lives outside of Georgia's sixth congressional district, which he is seeking to represent. The Georgia Democrat previously said he lives "one and a half miles" away from the district, although on Monday he revised that to "two miles." One campaign volunteer was filmed in May telling canvassers to say to curious voters that Ossoff lived "three blocks" outside of the district.
Free Beacon reporter Brent Scher fact-checked that claim by walking from Ossoff's Atlanta home in the fifth district near Emory University to the nearest landmark of the sixth district. Scher walked more than three miles to get there.
Weisman took exception and called the story "#fakenews farce." For backup, he pointed to his past employment at the weekly Neighbor Newspapers that cover the Atlanta area.
Weisman did not provide another reason for why he felt the story was dishonest.
As somebody who moved to GA-6 at 2 & lived there til 21, I can tell you this story is #fakenews farce. Win honestly. https://t.co/gxQv88cVkf
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) June 19, 2017
My reps were Andy Young, John Lewis, Newt Gingrich, Johnny Isakson & Tom Price. I wrote for the Northside & Roswell Neighbors. Don't lecture https://t.co/WXpXw1QoV1
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) June 19, 2017
I am. The house that I grew up in and where my parents live has gone from unincorporated Fulton County to a Sandy Springs dateline. https://t.co/P3S0bOeUbJ
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) June 19, 2017
Yes they do and I'm aware of each and every one of them. The story was dishonest and you know it. https://t.co/79e4jsprX1
— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) June 20, 2017
On Monday evening, Scher attracted considerable media attention when he reported that the Ossoff campaign had escorted him out of a campaign event, barring him from covering it. While most outlets came to the Free Beacon's defense and criticized Ossoff, Dean said the Free Beacon "engages in fake news and propaganda" and is "not legit."
this is crap and outlets who aren’t on the blacklist should express their objections. https://t.co/2NEvI9GDJa
— Sam Stein (@samstein) June 20, 2017
Sam i beg to differ. The Beacon engages in fake news and propaganda. Half a step up from Daily Caller. They are not legit. https://t.co/TQiR5UQsXn
— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) June 20, 2017
Other media outlets joined the HuffPost's Sam Stein in ripping Ossoff's team for the move, including the New Republic, BuzzFeed and the Atlantic. Even Weisman's colleague at the New York Times defended the Free Beacon.
slippery slopes here Gov. As part of an outlet banned by Trump campaign, i side on openness, especially if you want a job in natl politics
— Sam Stein (@samstein) June 20, 2017
Strongly disagree. The Beacon is polemical, yes, but it also publishes real journalism. As such, should be encouraged, not stigmatized. https://t.co/Ha4mPaPj43
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) June 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/876976768888053762
Cowardice on the eve of the special House election in Georgia’s 6th District. A politician hiding from the press is hiding from the public. https://t.co/LJw29pHW4O
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) June 20, 2017
Bad move. https://t.co/7efdI1FSFM
— Ben Smith (@benyt) June 20, 2017
This wouldn't even be acceptable if the @FreeBeacon reporter in question was @FBillMcMorris https://t.co/TSCTLMymKK
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 20, 2017
Bipartisan petulance and thin skin https://t.co/CEQ0DLHWEu
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 20, 2017
Ossoff should let Free Beacon in, Handel should let Think Progress in. Members of congress should be able to handle questions they dont like
— Kate Nocera (@KateNocera) June 20, 2017
Reporters should make a stink about it. Not OK. https://t.co/ijNupZABOO
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) June 20, 2017
Republican Karen Handel, Ossoff's opponent in Tuesday's special election, was also criticized for lack of transparency after ThinkProgress reporter Kira Lerner said she was blocked from Handel's final campaign event on Monday.