“Coronavirus outbreak strikes L.A. megachurch that defied public health orders,” said the headline.
The church defied county orders to resume in-person services in July. While the Times noted it has “an estimated attendance of 7,000” and only reported the three cases of COVID-19 to “determine whether there is an outbreak,” the paper still used that label.
Jenna Ellis, attorney for MacArthur and Grace Community Church, denounced the article, undercutting its biased framing in a statement. “Three very mild positive tests among more than 7,000 people is hardly news. 0.0004% or 0.043% is not an ‘outbreak,'” she said. “The LA Times and others’ grossly misleading and fear-mongering headlines aim to mischaracterize Grace Community Church as irresponsible and a superspreader.”
The Times report also focused on the “conservative” church’s decision to hold indoor services against the county’s orders and the fact that “thousands of people have attended services, with most not wearing face coverings as they sit side by side indoors, or close together outside under a tent.”
LA Times Targets John MacArthur's Church By Labeling Three COVID-19 Cases As 'Outbreak'
"Coronavirus outbreak strikes L.A. megachurch that defied public health orders," said the headline.
thefederalist.com
