Hawaii Real Estate Reporter

In the best performance since 2007, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last quarter surprised everyone and grew at an annual rate of 3.3%. This greatly exceeded the government’s estimate of 1.9% and economists’ forecast of 2.7%. The stock market gained nearly 200 points today on this great news. Massive good news right? Not to the media – they were very disappointed. So, how is this good economic news reported? This is the AP’s headline:

“Spring’s economic rebound unlikely to last ”

This is the most blatant negative bias I have ever seen in a headline. 3.3% GDP growth is huge. It surprised everyone. And what does this article from CNN say in the first line?

“The economy pulled out of a dangerous rough patch in the spring, thanks largely to strong exports, but the rebound isn’t expected to last.”

Wow, what a stretch of the facts. And the rest of the article, while mentioning the data, buries it in their much-loved doom and gloom.

It should be clear why our people are confused and worried. Looking at headlines like this everyday will wear down most anyone. We have a responsibility to refute this incredible negative bias. Let the numbers tell the story for you. Economic signs are improving in more and more areas. I understand that the media thinks that ‘bad news sells’ but this is taking it too far - into the realm of misrepresentation.

On the other hand, here is the same information without the headline schizophrenia and bias (as much bias). Same data, same day, two different stories. Of course the writer can’t get through the entire article without a little doom and gloom, but at least there is a hint of accuracy in this one. And the headline,

“Stocks jump on better-than-expected GDP, jobs data”

isn’t nuts.