Nets Fretted Over ‘Staunch Conservative’ Court Choices, Skimp on Liberal Labels for Dem Picks

Joe Biden on February 25 nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill the vacancy of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. When it comes to ideological labels for high court picks, the networks have one rule: Republican nominees are “staunch,” worrisome conservatives. Democratic nominees, however, are rarely labeled as extreme liberals. 

In the 24 hours after the nomination went public, the morning and evening newscasts on ABC, CBS and NBC only used the liberal/left label five times for Jackson. In contrast, over a similar 24 hour period after the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, the...