Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Regarding MSNBC [View all]
William Rivers Pitt | The United States of AftermathTruthout
21 February 2013
(snip)
Over the last few years, MSNBC refashioned itself as the progressive news alternative to networks like Fox and CNN by giving Keith Olbermann an opportunity to do actual journalism on television for a few years, and by putting people like Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz front and center. Even Chris Matthews, the human weathervane, appears to have gotten the memo. But I remember a phone call I got from an MSNBC producer in February of 2003. Hans Blix and his weapons inspectors had not been in Iraq for 100 hours when this woman called me on my cell, told me she'd read my book, and asked me to appear on the network.
There was, however, one caveat: she told me I was expected to argue that Blix and the inspectors were doing a terrible job and should be ignored, which just happened to be the exact line being peddled at the time by the Bush administration. I told the producer that I did not agree, that the inspectors needed to be given time to do their jobs, and that undermining them might lead to a devastating war. The MSNBC producer chuffed a cigarette-roughened laugh into my phone and hung up on me.
That happened - I remember the details not only because of how gruesome the conversation was, but because when she hung up on me, I almost lost control of my car and nearly wound up in the Charles River - and the fact of it tells you everything you need to know about MSNBC and the rest of the alphabet-soup cohort that is America's "mainstream" news media. I did not do what that MSNBC producer asked me to, but you can bet all the money you have that she found someone who would a few phone calls later. You might have even seen it on TV.
The rest: http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/14688-the-united-states-of-aftermath
MSNBC was one of the biggest promoters of the Iraq invasion. I don't care how many "liberals" they festoon the halls with. That blood does not wash off. Having said that, it's nice on occasion to watch a channel that isn't all about IOKIYAR. I don't ever, ever, ever take it seriously. It's still fucking corporate television news.
Never forget that.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
131 replies, 19603 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (228)
ReplyReply to this post
131 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
as all television, the news departments are expected to make money, not just report news.
spanone
Dec 2013
#1
It's a known fact that Matthews wouldn't go on unless Donahue was released .. guess what.
YOHABLO
Dec 2013
#74
Oh please, ease back on the drama. I like the Rachel Maddow MSNBC better than the
MADem
Dec 2013
#60
And you think you'll have the last laugh as Wall Street reigns supreme and the
rhett o rick
Dec 2013
#119
From what nether orifice you pulled that complete invention, I've no idea. It's not true.
MADem
Dec 2013
#123
Did . you read Will's whole piece at the link? Because the Phil Donahue firing is included.
hedda_foil
Dec 2013
#23
The 3-day weekend airing of the prison programs is a slap in the face to their viewers.
pacalo
Dec 2013
#25
The problem is that liberals generally don't sit around needing to be spoonfed propaganda 24x7
BlueStreak
Dec 2013
#32
It's cheap to do it that way. I guess liberals do shit on weekends, and conservatives sit
MADem
Dec 2013
#64
Honestly? I think if they could make "LOCKUP" money with live shows, they'd do it.
MADem
Dec 2013
#79
Look at how Phil Donahue and Ashleigh Banfield were gone from the MSNBC landscape
Roland99
Dec 2013
#17
Why hasn't the press or at least members of the press apologized loud and clear for the
JDPriestly
Dec 2013
#22
Well, at the end of the day, GE owns them and war is good for the pockets of GE.
glowing
Dec 2013
#28
Gees.Trayvon's defense, K streets exposure,the pullout of troops from Iraq-live, election coverage
The Wielding Truth
Dec 2013
#51
Appreciate your opinion. But I for one am glad there is SOME progressive voices heard on the MSM
Fla Dem
Dec 2013
#37
Balderdash! Making money had nothing to do with their decision to fire Donahue.
rhett o rick
Dec 2013
#121
"Never forget that." ~~ I never do. Going "progressive" was a corporate decision...
Hekate
Dec 2013
#59
Follow the money. Corporate broadcasting gets its money from conservative advertisers.
JEFF9K
Dec 2013
#65
MSNBC has several right wingers to every left winger on their daily lineup.
Hubert Flottz
Dec 2013
#68
I'll never forget that lovely Chris Matthews abomination - "we're all neocons now."
calimary
Dec 2013
#72
They got rid of Phil Donahue. That pretty much sums it up. But yeah, they have moved
silvershadow
Dec 2013
#80
How can y'all forget about Tweety creaming his pants over Trent Lott after what he said about
Liberal_Stalwart71
Dec 2013
#98
Your writing is wonderfully insightful, nails our collective situation on it's head.
2banon
Dec 2013
#117
It takes time I think.. there are other decent writers here that would appreciate your insights
2banon
Dec 2013
#128
Precisely on point.. which is why it's important for everyone to turn it off. eom
2banon
Dec 2013
#114
IMO it matters more who the content is coming from than what network it airs on.
D23MIURG23
Dec 2013
#104
Exactly - That's essentially why I will never ever pay a dime to subscribe to Cable or Dish Sat
2banon
Dec 2013
#109
I find it hilarious how some pundits lump MSNBC in with Fox (not-news)
Proud Liberal Dem
Dec 2013
#124