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Fact check: A Media Research Center study found that in just one day (June 11–12), CNN and MSNBC called the anti-ICE protests “peaceful” 211 times.
1. Summary of the results
The claim that a Media Research Center study found CNN and MSNBC called anti-ICE protests "peaceful" 211 times in one day (June 11-12) receives partial support from the available sources. Two sources directly confirm the existence of this study, with one specifically stating that the Media Research Center found "at least 211 instances of CNN and MSNBC personalities referring to the anti-ICE riots as 'mostly peaceful' or similar" over a one-day period [1].
However, the actual nature of these protests appears to contradict the "peaceful" characterization. Multiple sources document significant violence and criminal activity during these demonstrations, including arrests for damaging federal property, threatening federal agents [2], and charges for violent crimes against protesters [3]. CNN's own reporting described protests involving "violence, arrests, and property damage" [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original statement omits crucial context about the actual nature of the anti-ICE protests. Federal law enforcement documented serious criminal activity, with ICE arresting "violent protesters who threatened federal law enforcement" and damaged federal property [2]. Los Angeles officials later announced charges against protesters for violent crimes [3].
The statement also fails to mention that these events occurred during a broader pattern of misinformation surrounding the protests, with online coverage being "split by political lenses" and contributing to the spread of false information [5].
Media organizations like CNN and MSNBC would benefit from characterizing violent protests as peaceful to maintain their narrative consistency and avoid appearing to support violence. Conversely, conservative media outlets and organizations like Fox News benefit from highlighting the discrepancy between the "peaceful" characterization and documented violence to discredit their competitors' coverage.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
While the core claim about the Media Research Center study appears accurate, the statement presents potential bias through selective framing. By focusing solely on the frequency of "peaceful" descriptions without acknowledging the documented violence, the statement creates a misleading impression.
The statement uses the term "anti-ICE protests" rather than acknowledging that law enforcement and some sources characterized these as "riots" involving criminal activity [1] [2] [3]. This language choice minimizes the severity of the events and could mislead readers about what actually occurred during June 11-12, 2025.
Additionally, the statement fails to provide context about why the characterization matters - namely, that federal agents were threatened, property was damaged, and multiple arrests were made for violent crimes, making the "peaceful" label factually questionable regardless of how many times it was used.