Attacking the media: 5 reasons it’s a smart strategy for one U.S. senator

But every rule has its exception, and there are times when attacking the media pays impressive dividends.

Earlier this month, The Miami Herald published a riveting story about an ongoing battle between Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Univision, the nation’s most-watched Spanish-language news outlet.

In July, Univision ran an investigative piece about Rubio’s brother-in-law, who was arrested for being a small player in a cocaine and marijuana ring. I can see why that might be newsworthy, especially if the Senator exerted some influence over the case.

Here’s the problem: The incident occurred in 1987 when Marco Rubio was 16-years-old, and his brother-in-law was released from prison more than a decade ago. So much for being newsworthy.

Even worse, Univision reportedly agreed to spike or soften the piece—if Rubio agreed to an interview on a high-profile program. He refused to participate, and Univision ran the story. (Univision officially denies that account, but some network insiders confirm its accuracy.)