This CNN Video Report about San Francisco's ban on plastic bags has the most pro-business slant ever.  Ok, maybe not ever, but even the headline gives it away: "Paper or plastic? No choice!"

CNN reporter Chris Lawrence starts the report by insisting that "paper or biodegradable compostable bag" doesn't have the same ring as "paper or plastic." 

His second sentence: "And it's more expensive.  That's the price San Francisco residents have to pay."

His report epitomizes what's wrong with mainstream, corporate-owned media:  it focuses on the business aspect of the story, unintentionally presenting a pro-business angle.  Reporters focus less and less on the angles important to working Americans because they care more about stories that will appeal to wealthy people - potential subscribers and potential profit.

Also, the notion of objectivity, supposed to to ensure that reporters don't sprinkle reported pieces with editorial and opinion, has turned journalists into stenographers (thanks Susan for that phrase).   Lawrence can't make any really salient connections in this story about SF's ban to larger concerns about global waste, climate change, and consumption.  He leaves SF Mayor Newsom's retort to the latter half of the report, after stressing the cost and purported inconvenience of the ban for the CA Grocer's Association.

The last thing Lawrence's report mentioned was how bags litter and fill up landfills because they are not recyclable.

Oi vey.