Bye Bye Miss American Pie

[woodchip]

For those of you still in a state of denial that the main stream press is now a adjunct to the Democratic Party, I give you this:

\"On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.\"

So now instead of carefully examining both sides of the issue, we now have the American Bama Corporation presenting itself as nothing more than a ShamWoW pitch person for the Democratic health care proposal. I wonder if the ABC jellyfish audience even has a clue as to how they are being manipulated? I can now no longer be of the opinion that MSNBC is the worst news organization as to slanted news delivery.

A response from the republican as follows:

\"Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:

Dear Mr. Westin:

As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.

Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff\"

So once again, you are seeing before your very eyes how socialistic fascism is creeping into our lives.

[Will Robinson]

A \"town hall\" meeting at the White House...but all you townsfolk can't come and we don't want any input from the conservatives...you know, the single largest identifiable group in american politics....hmmm, love the bipartisan approach.

But what the hell, when you have the media on your side you can sell anything for a while.

[snoopy]

I saw an add for this yesterday. I'm concerned, too.

[Pandora]

copying from druge report without double checking again, Woodchip?
appears to be false.

[CUDA]

copying from druge report without double checking again, Woodchip?
appears to be false.

Actually Woods post does not appear to be False. ABC will not be having anyone from the opposition to this subject on air during the so-called town hall, their response was that there has already been opposition points put forward at other times on ABC, so they will not be allowed this time.

I particularly like the Part where ABC will be hand picking the questions. with complete editorial control no biased there huh

ABC News alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience.
Third, there already has been extensive coverage of the upcoming health care debates, on ABC and elsewhere, and there will be much, much more. Indeed, we've already had many critics of the President's health care proposals on the air – and that’s before a real plan has even been put before the country.

you should probably have read what you posted before raggin on Wood.

[Spidey]

Knee Jerk Reaction….

Oh, never mind…

[woodchip]

Pandora, ABC's response to what I posted does not make what I posted false. Only shows how ABC is now trying to spin it.

[TechPro]

Oh no! The News media is no longer un-biased!


... Oh gee, what a surprise. Film at 11.

[Pandora]

Hmm, the original press release tells a different story than Drudge report.

During the discussion from the East Room of the White House, President Obama will answer questions from an audience made up of Americans selected by ABC News who have divergent opinions in this historic debate.

(emphasis mine).

So what this is is an interview with Obama about his health care plan, with critical question being asked from both the audience and experts. I don't see how anyone can spin this as a mere advertising session for the president. Its an opportunity for him to reveal and discuss the complete program to the public, and that is definitely interesting. What's the problem with it?

[CUDA]

Well I guess we'll need to wait and see how \"divergent\" the questions are. when ABC refuses to let any Republicans or dissenters comment on the process, its smaks of Pravda

[Will Robinson]

...
So what this is is an interview with Obama about his health care plan, with critical question being asked from both the audience and experts. I don't see how anyone can spin this as a mere advertising session for the president....

The problem is you assume ABC will have a true cross section of questioners even though they first acknowledged their wouldn't be a representation of the conservative/republican opinion present and deflected the initial criticism by saying there had been plenty of debate and now it was time to just let the President tell us his plan. Nothing wrong with the White House having a press release or issuing a statement live on camera to announce their plan but to let the whole announcement be wrapped in the guise of Obama addressing all sides of the debate and have it presented to us in the context of an ABC News report which is unfortunately still percieved by most voters as a trusted objective source....

Well, at least the Kool-Aid is cold and free

[Testiculese]

Oh no! The News media is no longer un-biased!


... Oh gee, what a surprise. Film at 11.

That would be a total surprise to ~200 million people in this country.

[CUDA]

and Will its not just the interview, ABC will be broadcasting from the whitehouse all day starting with GMA. this is a whole day devoted to the Omaba health plan with no opposing opinions allowed

[Pandora]

The problem is you assume ABC will have a true cross section of questioners even though they first acknowledged their wouldn't be a representation of the conservative/republican opinion present and deflected the initial criticism by saying there had been plenty of debate and now it was time to just let the President tell us his plan.

Two things, Will:

1. Where did they acknowledge that there won't be a representation of the conservative/republican opinion present? The only evidence I see of that is in the letter of McKay. However, he does NOT show his initial letter where they asked for being included, nor the rejection letter of ABC. Without these two critical pieces of information I wouldn't draw to many conclusions. I would like to know first specifically what the RNC asked for and why it was rejected.

2. Even if everything happened as the McKay letter insinuates, I am not convinced at all that this is a problem. Since when are TV networks prohibited to interview the president on a topic without the opposition being present? Are you telling me this newer happened during Bush's reign?

[Will Robinson]

....
2. Even if everything happened as the McKay letter insinuates, I am not convinced at all that this is a problem. Since when are TV networks prohibited to interview the president on a topic without the opposition being present? Are you telling me this newer happened during Bush's reign?

TV networks are free to broadcast anything they can get away with. NEWS programming is supposed to be independent of political affiliation and objective. It isn't a question of what content is prohibited it should be a question of what content meets the test of journalistic integrity and what content is blatantly carrying the water for a political administration!

I guarantee after this broadcast there will be many more attention-deficit-voters thinking Obama addressed both sides with his presentation than if the journalists had a real town hall meeting with representatives of the opposing party involved in the content.

The problem isn't in Obama wanting to get his voice heard (as if that is a problem for him) it is in a major network giving his administration controls to the free press to enable him to sell it more effectively!

ABC is selling out to get ratings and they don't mind since they find themselves ideologically aligned with the current administration.
If this is OK remember the conservatives will have their chance at bat soon...is it still going to be OK then?

[Spidey]

Heck with Republicans…

Pandora, do you think they would let me express my opinion that insurance is the root cause of the problems? And adding more will only cause more problems? Etc…

I doubt it! Because everyone is buying the Kool-Aid on this one. (Brainwashed)

[woodchip]

And it gets even more curious:

ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL
Wed Jun 17 2009 15:15:00 ET

ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint!

The development comes a day after the network denied a request by the Republican National Committee to feature a representative of the party's views during the Obama special.

Conservatives for Patients Rights requested the rates to buy a 60-second spot immediately preceding 'Prescription for America'.

Statement from Rick Scott, chairman of Conservatives for Patients Rights:

\"It is unfortunate - and unusual - that ABC is refusing to accept paid advertising that would present an alternative viewpoint for the White House health care event. Health care is an issue that touches every American and all potential pieces of legislation have carried a pricetag in excess of $1 trillion of taxpayers' money. The American people deserve a healthy, robust debate on this issue and ABC's decision - as of now - to exclude even paid advertisements that present an alternative view does a disservice to the public. Our organization is more than willing to purchase ad time on ABC to present an alternative viewpoint and our hope is that ABC will reconsider having such viewpoints be part of this crucial debate for the American people. We were surprised to hear that paid advertisements would not be accepted when we inquired and we would certainly be open to purchasing time if ABC would reconsider.\"

[Insurrectionist]

[TheCope]

They live!

I love that movie... 10 minute fight scene. I suppose the computer you use, your internet connect, the blog that splits your brains, and all that is hand made? You aren't a corporate consumer.
;p

forgot about your guns and your megachurch and all of it's mega construction beams.

you all suck it shut up one day.

[AlphaDoG]

LOL as if anyone even watches ABC anymore. The only people who will watch that crap is the Prime Time crew from MSNBC. LOL

[Foil]

Ugh. I'm getting tired of the 'spin' on both sides here. Here's what I want to know:

1. One side would have me believe that it's propaganda, all dissenting voices quashed. The other would have me believe that it's an open Q&A meeting. Gimme a break. Obviously, it's going to be at least mostly scripted during the presentation itself. My question is: how much commentary/debate is going to happen before/after?

2. How does this compare to other prime-time Presidential presentations? (I seem to remember one by Bush a few years back, but I don't recall much about the debate/commentary around it.)

3. Is ABC specifically refusing ads by certain groups, or just not airing ads at all during that span?

[woodchip]

There'll be ads Foil just not opposing views or any that may tarnish this stellar accomplishment by ABC.

[Will Robinson]

...
2. How does this compare to other prime-time Presidential presentations? (I seem to remember one by Bush a few years back, but I don't recall much about the debate/commentary around it.)...

You seem to have zeroed in on the answer to your confusion...

How much help did Bush get from ABC? Did he get to fill up the programming content for the network for a whole day starting with Good Morning America?

The answer is Hell No! None of that!!
He could walk out in front of the camera and give his statement then the rest of the programming was filled with his critics!

[CUDA]

Ugh. I'm getting tired of the 'spin' on both sides here. Here's what I want to know:

1. One side would have me believe that it's propaganda, all dissenting voices quashed. The other would have me believe that it's an open Q&A meeting. Gimme a break. Obviously, it's going to be at least mostly scripted during the presentation itself. My question is: how much commentary/debate is going to happen before/after?

none.
ABC says that there has been enough debate about this beforehand, so they are devoting the entire time to the President with "selected" questions they will ask. ABC has "selected" the people that will be involved and the questions that will be asked.

2. How does this compare to other prime-time Presidential presentations? (I seem to remember one by Bush a few years back, but I don't recall much about the debate/commentary around it.)

except this isnt a debate. this is the president pitching his healthcare, without any Republican input on the subject

3. Is ABC specifically refusing ads by certain groups, or just not airing ads at all during that span?

Anti Government healthcare groups wanted to buy ad time during the "interview" because they would not be allowed to air their opinion during the infomercial, and ABC refused them that right.

[CUDA]

More info

Opponents of President Obama's proposed health care reform are blasting ABC News for refusing to air opposing ads during a prime time special next Wednesday,

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06 ... e-special/

[Foil]

ABC says that there has been enough debate about this beforehand, so they are devoting the entire time to the President with "selected" questions they will ask. ABC has "selected" the people that will be involved and the questions that will be asked.

Uh, yeah, this much I know; I've read the links.

My question was about the programming before and after the 10-11ET slot. The ABC release refers to other shows before and after dedicated to the subject, but the objections seem to only be concerned with the "Primetime" special.

Anti Government healthcare groups wanted to buy ad time during the "interview" because they would not be allowed to air their opinion during the infomercial, and ABC refused them that right.

Again, yes, I know.

My question is: Did ABC refuse them because of the content, or because they're not airing ads at all during that timeslot?

[Edit: Reading the link above, looks like it's because of the content. Hmm.]

[Foil]

How much help did Bush get from ABC? Did he get to fill up the programming content for the network for a whole day starting with Good Morning America?

My understanding is that the objections refer specifically to the questions being scripted for the "Primetime" special.

I haven't seen anything saying the other programs (GMA, Nightline, World News) aren't allowing opposing voices.

[Will Robinson]

...
My understanding is that the objections refer specifically to the questions being scripted for the "Primetime" special.

I haven't seen anything saying the other programs (GMA, Nightline, World News) aren't allowing opposing voices.

Well I haven't paid that much attention to others objections, I'm more focused on my objections!

As far as I'm concerned ABC has broken new ground here making the trappings of their network available to the Obama administration. If people don't see it as adding considerable help to the Obama team then I hope the pendulum swings back the other way soon and we'll see who thinks it's nothing!

[CUDA]

My understanding is that the objections refer specifically to the questions being scripted for the "Primetime" special.

I think the Objection is more along the lines of the UNPRECIDENTED air time that ABC is affording the President to pitch his pet project,
And the refusal by ABC to allow ANY Descenting ( I had to use that word ) Voice on the matter. it has historicaly been the practice to afford the opposition air time on matters that the President proposes.

[Duper]

My understanding is that the objections refer specifically to the questions being scripted for the "Primetime" special.

I think the Objection is more along the lines of the UNPRECIDENTED air time that ABC is affording the President to pitch his pet project,
And the refusal by ABC to allow ANY Descenting ( I had to use that word ) Voice on the matter. it has historically been the practice to afford the opposition air time on matters that the President proposes.

Exactly. The whole "un-non-socialized medicine" thing is dodgy enough. But it's an entirely different matter when he force feeds it with air time (in other venues as well, not just this one show) and then tries to GUILT anyone that disagrees with him into subjugation or silence. ..something smells rotten in Denmark...

[Hostile]

something smells rotten in Denmark...

LOL "a hit, a very palpable hit!" Unfortunately, something smells very wrong right here in the USA too!!!!

[Duper]

well maybe I'll Move there. At least I'll know what to expect.

[Foil]

<Bump>

I didn't catch this last night. Can someone give a report? (Not on the content, I'm asking about the original topic: bias of the media coverage during and surrounding it).