Fact check: Author Michael Wolff criticized CNN and anchor Brian Stelter on-air, accusing the media of being out of touch, repetitive, and part of the problem in public discourse.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement is fully supported by multiple sources. Michael Wolff did indeed criticize CNN and anchor Brian Stelter during a live television appearance on Stelter's own show "Reliable Sources" in July 2021. According to the sources, Wolff called Stelter "full of sanctimony" and stated that he was "one of the reasons people can't stand the media" ^{[1] [2]}.

Wolff specifically accused Stelter of becoming "part of the problem of the media" and criticized the media for being out of touch with public sentiment ^[2]. The incident was widely reported across multiple news outlets, with sources describing it as Wolff "flipping out" and "slamming" Stelter on his own program ^{[1] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks several important contextual elements:

• Wolff's background and motivations: Michael Wolff is the author of controversial books about Donald Trump, including "Fire and Fury," and has previously had contentious media appearances, including a "fiery CNN interview" in 2018 where he defended his methods of gaining White House access ^[4].
• Broader media criticism perspective: The incident occurred within a larger context of media criticism. Some analysts argue that news media consumption can lead to "ignorance, intolerance, and passivity" and that media can manipulate public opinion ^[5]. Others contend that news media is not necessary for democracy and can be "damaging to culture" ^[6].
• Systemic media issues: There are concerns about how American journalism can "unintentionally amplify extremist politicians" and contribute to polarization in ways that may not be immediately obvious ^[7].
• Stelter's response: The sources indicate that Stelter did respond to Wolff's criticism during the exchange, though the original statement doesn't mention this interaction ^{[2] [3]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears factually accurate but contains potential bias through omission:

• Selective framing: While the statement accurately describes Wolff's criticism, it doesn't mention that Wolff denied his criticism was intended to curry favor with Trump ^[1], which could be relevant context for understanding his motivations.
• Missing counterarguments: The statement doesn't acknowledge any defense of CNN or Stelter's perspective, presenting only one side of what was clearly a contentious exchange.
• Lack of broader context: By focusing solely on this single incident, the statement may contribute to a narrative without acknowledging the complex dynamics of media criticism and the various stakeholders who benefit from different perspectives on media credibility and effectiveness.

The statement itself doesn't contain demonstrable misinformation, but its framing could reinforce existing biases about mainstream media without providing the full context of the exchange or the broader media landscape discussions.