Comments on: CBS Manipulates the News

By: Dave Pierce

Dave Pierce — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:42:19 +0000

No surprise here. Network TV has been an irresponsible source of news ever since they discovered what a cash cow it is. There was a time when TV news was a “public service,” back in the Dark Ages I think it was.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:27:54 +0000

Thanks for bringing this egregious episode to my attention. We need more people to defend the truth and protect the news.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:29:45 +0000

Michael–

Of course the New York Times is not guiltless. But as a news organization, they should be. That’s precisely my point.

By: Abi

Abi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:48:37 +0000

I’m not surprised by the right-ward spin at all. What I am surprised at is that there are still people out there who think ‘W’ has done a heckuva job.

Oh, and “seppuku: n. Ritual suicide by disembowelment formerly practiced by Japanese samurai. Also called hara-kiri.” (from American Heritage Dictionary)

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:51:42 +0000

Several people have emailed me expressing wonder that a news organizations spun for a Republican conservative. Implicit in this is the belief that the media are left-leaning.

Why should and could the media be left-leaning when five huge corporations (Time/Warner, NewsCorp, GE, Disney, and Viacom) control everything Americans see? These are not leftist organizations.

What appears as a left-leaning slant is actually a concerted and clever attempt to garner better ratings. Guys like Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch (two hard-right plutocrats) are not stupid. They want the eyeballs of the great mass of Americans. The common folk consume more cars, beer, and fast food than the rich. Ratings demand catering to the majority.

If there is a definite bias in the media, it is not (except for Fox News) a political bias. It is a bias toward profit.

By: Gail Jonas

Gail Jonas — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:06:12 +0000

Steve,
I agree that what CBS did is outrageous. Yet it appears to me that it’s just one more egregious act in a long record of distortions/suppressions/omissions.

What do you think is the most effective action we can take? Boycott CBS/its advertisers? Call the head honchos at CBS? Complain to our Congressional representatives?

Glad to see you blogging. I gave it up so I’d have more time and energy for taking care of my twin grandchildren, now a year and a half old.

Gail

By: michael

michael — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:37:37 +0000

The NY Times arrogates to itself the right to see and judge what the pulic should see and hear every day. Did I mention Olberman is pathetic?

By: kerry mahoney

kerry mahoney — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:37:43 +0000

Well, afterall, it is CBS. No surprises there! I’m sure Olbermann would agree with you, Steve, as I do. Nice comment. Say hi to my sis

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:02:12 +0000

Frightening to think, but I bet this happens on the news a lot more than we know.

McCain is just frightening, period.

By: Troy Dexter

Troy Dexter — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:41:06 +0000

Good work Steve and well said!!!
Is Oberman our only hope?
What an eye opener about CBS.
Take care and keep up the good work.