Media Prostitution

Cable Channel Nods to Ratings and Leans Left by Jacques Steinberg

Read the Article at NYTimes.com

This post is less analytical and more commentary in nature just because I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this!



"Lest there be any doubt that the cable channel believes there is ratings gold in shows that criticize the administration with the same vigor with which Fox News's hosts often champion it, two NBC executives acknowledged yesterday that they were talking to Rosie O'Donnell about a prime-time show on MSNBC."


They criticize the administration with the same vigor as Fox News? This is stated so matter-of-factly, yet if one compares O'Reilly with Olbermann (which Steinberg does throughout the article), it's evident that the MSNBC commentator doesn't lean to the left as the titles implies, he fully embodies it. Olbermann has accused Bush of war crimes, dictatorship, and bribing journalist to relate positive news about the war. The latter assertion is perhaps the most outlandish, because hearing about improvements in Iraq is as rare as hearing about Hillary Clinton's vote to go there in the first place. That wouldn't help with their ratings or their agendas. O'Reilly, who has never expressed his political affiliation outright, does seem to possess conservative ideologies, but any praise or criticism of the Bush administration (since he does cover both, when he covers the topic at all) often contains statistics, studies, etc. Olbermann's "special comments" attack Bush and call for his impeachment based on speculation and interpretation. The two programs are simply incomparable.

"During the nine months she spent on 'The View' before departing abruptly last spring, Ms. O'Donnell raised viewership notably. She did so while lamenting the unabated casualties of the Iraq war and advocating the right to gay marriage, among other positions."

Those "other positions" that Steinberg omits include:

That Christians are as threatening as Islamic extremists.

That the United States are the terrorists.
(By the way, the body she gives is off by over 500,000. Most estimates are around 70-80 thousand. The study she referred to included Iraqi deaths from illnesses, such as heart disease or cancer.)

The 9/11 attacks were planned by the US government.
(A simple google search shows that fire can do the "impossible" and melt steel at 2750°F, and much less heat is needed to weaken the frame enough to cause the tower to collapse. Click here to read how experts have debunked this conspiracy theory.)

Rudy Giuliani covered up the 9/11 conspiracy.

What is the state of our media that anyone would ever consider hiring Rosie as a primetime host? Not only does she vomit out propaganda with no factual basis--often, her points can be easily discredited, such as her assertion that steel can't melt--but Rosie uses her statements to divide a nation and rouse distrust. Like a primitive, unrefined animal, she even grabbed her crotch and used profanities (mocking Donald Trump) in front of 17 high-school aged girls who were awarded scholarships so that they can pursue media careers! Is she really the type of woman we'd want as these girls' role model? MSNBC, clearly desperate for ratings, is willing to hire a woman with an acidic tongue that corrodes vulnerable minds and our society in general. They essentially are prostituting themselves, granting anyone access (to their organization) who will line their wallets.

"Having a prime-time lineup that tilts ever more demonstrably to the left could be risky for General Electric, MSNBC's parent company, which is subject to legislation and regulation far afield of the cable landscape. "

I wanted to point this out because it exemplifies one of the most subtle, yet potentially prevalent, biases that exist in media. Most news organizations have parents companies that might exert pressure if certain stories conflict with their financial interests, and most journalists/editors/producers/etc. would not willingly risk losing their job for a story. This type of bias is difficult to detect because it involves the silence or repression of stories, not a clear misrepresentation.