By Scott Whitlock

The CBS and NBC morning shows on Thursday both highlighted a massive show of support for Chick-fil-A, but failed to explain one of the underlying reasons for the protest: An expression of solidarity by many Americans for free speech against government bullying.

While ABC's Good Morning America completely ignored the sizable effort that saw long lines at Chick-fil-As around the country, CBS This Morning anchor Charlie Rose simplified, "For many religious conservatives, Chick-fil-A was the place to be Wednesday. Thousands went there to eat and to make a statement - a statement against same sex marriage." Many Americans did go as a show of support for traditional marriage, but some went to protest mayors in Chicago, Boston and San Francisco who threatened or bullied the conservative chain.


On NBC's Today, Natalie Morales insisted that Wednesday was a show of "support for the restaurant chain after its president took a public position against same-sex marriage, saying he supports, quote, 'the biblical definition of the family unit.'"

Yet, when CBS reporter Manuel Bojorquez explained liberal opposition to Chick-fil-A, he was vague: "Gay rights advocates called for a boycott. The mayors of Boston and Chicago also took a stand."

They "took a stand"?

Bojorquez then played a clip of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel lecturing that Chick-fil-A's values were "not what the people of the City of Chicago believe."

Neither Bojorquez nor Morales emphasized that these mayors were looking to use the force of law to enforce disgust with the values of Chick-fil-A's CEO.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino originally said he would make it "very dificult" for Chick-fil-A to obtain licenses in Boston. Emanuel, who has an almost ten percent unemployment rate in his city, expressed similar sentiments.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee tweeted a threat to Chick-fil-A: "I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer."

Both CBS and NBC made sure to point out a planned counter-rally on Friday. NBC's Morales noted, "Supporters of same-sex marriage have called for their own protest tomorrow." CBS's Bojorquez highlighted, "Supporters of same-sex marriage plan to counter. They say they will hold a national kiss-in campaign at Chick-fil-A restaurants on Friday."

To see how the Wednesday evening newscasts covered Chick-fil-A, go here.

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2012/08/02/cbs-nbc-skip-first-amendment-angle-chick-fil-day-highlight-counter-p#ixzz22Syk4K70