Analysis of Brian Reese Article: York County School Board to get policy services from right-wing group

Analysis of Brian Reese’s 25 March 2024 article shows strong bias towards the school board members and actually proves he is more an activist than an actual journalist.

Location: York County, VA

Author: Brian Reese, Digital Producer, WAVY.com news organization

Date: March 25, 2024

Title: York County School Board to get policy services from right-wing group

 Emphasis on Conflict and Controversy:

• Highlighting divisions within the York County School Board and the controversy surrounding the decision to potentially contract with the SBMA over the VSBA dramatizes the situation, possibly at the expense of a more nuanced exploration of the reasons behind the shift.
• The focus on disagreements among board members, the attorney’s lack of information, and the portrayal of the SBMA as secretive or exclusive (e.g., denying the board attorney’s access) amplifies the narrative of discord and mistrust.

 Questioning Legitimacy and Expertise:

• The document raises questions about the SBMA’s legitimacy and expertise by noting the lack of information about the organization’s services, the absence of known legal staff, and concerns over the capability of its leaders to provide policy writing services. This scrutiny is juxtaposed with the Virginia School Boards Association’s (VSBA) established reputation, suggesting a lack of confidence in the SBMA’s ability to fulfill its promises.

 Lack of Balanced Representation:

• The article does not provide comments or perspectives from SBMA supporters except for brief mentions that could be seen as furthering the narrative of controversy (e.g., Victoria Manning’s non-practicing lawyer status). This lack of balance suggests an intent to provide only the criticisms and concerns regarding the SBMA, without offering a platform for rebuttal or clarification from its advocates.

 Selective Presentation of Facts:

• The article focuses heavily on the controversial aspects of Sherri Story and the SBMA, emphasizing Story’s past controversies and her association with right-wing views.
• It mentions Story’s social media posts and her political stances in a way that suggests an attempt to frame her and the SBMA in a negative light without providing a balanced perspective or response from her or the SBMA on these specific criticisms.

Highlighting Controversy and Use of Charged Language:

• Terms like “extreme right-wing views,” “woke mind virus,” and “invasion” stories are used to describe Story’s social media content, which can be seen as an attempt to invoke strong negative connotations.
• The article references “controversial post during Black History Month” and “praising self-described El Salvadorean dictator Nayib Bukele” without providing context or Story’s explanations, if any, thereby potentially skewing readers’ perceptions.

Omission of Context or Counterarguments:

• The article notes that Elizabeth Ewing from the VSBA did not respond to interview requests but does not provide similar information about attempts to reach out to the SBMA for their side of the story, except for the brief mention of a presentation scheduled for the school board meeting.
• There is little to no mention of any reasons or arguments provided by the York County School Board or SBMA members for their decisions or views. This omission leaves the reader without understanding the motivations or rationales behind the switch from VSBA to SBMA, aside from a broad ideological shift.
• The concerns of the board’s attorney and the criticism from board members Richardson and Shafer are highlighted without mentioning any counterpoints or responses from the SBMA or its supporters, creating a one-sided narrative.

 Implication of Guilt by Association:

• Linking the SBMA with other organizations and initiatives, such as the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and Governor Glenn Youngkin, without direct evidence of the SBMA’s involvement in those specific agendas implies guilt by association, suggesting that the SBMA supports all aspects of these linked groups’ goals.
• Associating controversial figures and policies, such as praising Nayib Bukele and attending events sponsored by organizations with far-right initiatives also implies guilt by association.
• The article associates the SBMA with a broader right-wing agenda, including “mass deportations” and “a purge of the federal civil service,” without clear evidence that the SBMA endorses such measures.

 Implying Hidden Agendas and Consequences:

• There are implications of hidden agendas, such as universal school choice and the dismantling of federal education regulations, alongside predictions of catastrophic consequences for public schools, particularly for vulnerable groups. These implications suggest that the SBMA’s actions could lead to significant and harmful societal divisions, further casting the organization in a negative light.

Predictions of Negative Outcomes:

• Citing critics like Dr. James Fedderman to predict dire consequences for public education as a result of the SBMA’s influence introduces speculative future harm, adding an emotional weight to the argument against the SBMA without providing evidence that these outcomes are likely.
• While citing authorities is a common journalistic practice, in the context of this article it is used selectively to undermine the subject without providing a platform for opposing experts or authoritative voices.

 Brian Reese’s Intent and Bias:

• Brian Reese’s intent appears to be to cast doubt on the legitimacy and motivations of the SBMA, as well as to criticize the York County School Board’s decision to associate with the SBMA.
• The article leans heavily on portraying the SBMA and its supporters in a negative light, with a focus on controversy and extreme positions, which suggests a bias against the SBMA and its affiliated board members.

READ ARTICLE