Hey, I'm Brian Salter live in New York and this is Reliable Sources.

Here we examine the story behind the story and figure out what's reliable.

This hour, that's the question about the new COVID variant that headlines say bracing

for worst, but how should the press be approaching this moment?

We're going to talk with Dr. Donovan Reiner about that.

Plus, what's the standard for covering right wing extremist politicians?

And isn't low?

Are they held to a lower standard?

We're going to get into that.

Plus, the long wait for these verdicts in the Arbery case.

How relentless local journalism helped shine a spotlight on the case early on.

We're going to introduce you to a reporter who played a key role.

We have a lot more coming up this hour, but first, what is the meta story of President

Biden's first year?

The meta story, meaning the all-encompassing narrative of Biden's presidency?

What's the takeaway?

The story about all the stories?

What's the main impression you get from all the daily headlines and hate tweets?

Is it America rebounding?

Or is it America on the wrong track?

First, let's admit that the American media has a tremendous amount of power in shaping

the meta story of a presidency.

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