DOES NBC NEWS SUPPORT THE GROOMING OF MINORS?

Examining NBC’s coverage of a Texas law alongside the law itself raises some significant concerns.

Let’s start with a provocative question: Does NBC endorse the sexual grooming of minors?

In a report by NBC News’ Raquel Coronell Uribe about a “Reagan-appointed” judge’s decision to strike down Texas SB12, she mentions “drag” five times while failing to refer to children or minors at all. This is perplexing because the law, intended to restrict “sexually oriented performances” to adult viewers, actually emphasizes the protection of children, referring to them five times without mentioning drag. How could that oversight happen?

Does NBC News not have editors reviewing this content?

Uribe presents the law by stating that it imposes hefty fines—up to $10,000—for business proprietors who violate the law by hosting such events. Performers could face a Class A misdemeanor, which might lead to imprisonment for up to a year.

But there’s a crucial detail here: these consequences only apply if the event is accessible to children. This phrasing is a classic example of how media can mislead their audience. While it’s technically accurate, it omits a key condition—if the venue fails to check IDs.

Here’s what the law specifies:

(a) A person who controls the premises of a commercial enterprise may not allow a sexually oriented performance to be presented on the premises in the presence of an individual younger than 18 years of age.

(b) A person who violates this section is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation.

AND

(c) A municipality or county may not authorize a sexually oriented performance:

• on public property; or
• in the presence of an individual younger than 18 years of age.

Isn’t it curious that NBC News doesn’t mention the welfare of children in this context? Could it be that their alignment leans toward certain groups who want to expose children to adult themes?

Even if I disagree with the judge’s ruling, the article misrepresented his comments about people finding these performances “offensive,” suggesting that they should “simply not go.” While this is technically true, it misleads by failing to provide important context.

The judge argued that the law’s broad definition of sexual acts might include performances by public figures like Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Miley Cyrus.

I mean, honestly, Miley Cyrus’s performances certainly aren’t suitable for kids. Have we seriously lost our sense of judgment?

Though the judge’s notion that the law could disrupt ordinary country performances seems exaggerated, Texas plans to appeal and is likely to prevail.

In the meantime, while NBC News neglects to feature any supporters of the law—voices that are prevalent—they instead choose to highlight local personality “Brigitte Bandit,” who is an unusual drag queen and has made some rather extreme statements.

For context, Bandit is known for celebrating violence against certain political figures and claiming that “kids are safer at drag story hour than at church.” Her performances have titles that are, let’s say, quite suggestive.

Is this really what NBC News wants to advocate for regarding our children?

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