Media chiefs(Murdoch's, Sony, Viacom, MTV) back Kerry campaign

[Tinoire]

Media chiefs back Kerry campaign

Owen Gibson
Tuesday February 10, 2004

As John Kerry's campaign to secure the Democrat nomination - and with it a crack at the White House - continues to gather pace, it has emerged that it is being bankrolled by key executives from News Corporation, MTV-owner Viacom and Sony.

<snip>

Mr Chernin, one of Mr Murdoch's most trusted lieutenants, is among several media chiefs who have pledged to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 to support the Vietnam war veteran's campaign for the White House.

Others who have pledged to raise more than $50,000 include the Viacom chief executive, Sumner Redstone, and Sony chairman Howard Stringer, whose name has recently been linked with the vacant chairmanships at ITV and the BBC.

Most of the money raised from these contributors will have to be raised through business associates, relatives and friends as individuals can only give a total of $4,000 each to presidential candidates - $2,000 during the primaries and another $2,000 during a general election.

US political commentators have speculated that Mr Kerry has enjoyed the support of the media community in an effort to head off the challenge of Howard Dean, who has fallen back in the race despite being the frontrunner before the primaries began. Mr Dean made statements last year about wanting to break up media conglomerates.

<snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0%2C13918%2C1144797%2C00.html

[Kolesar]

1. So much for turning back Michael Powell's media conglomeration rules

It is worth considering, however, that Murdoch is "hedging his bets" in case Mr. Kerry gets elected. He has got to be reading those stories that he won't let his editors publish, and he has to know that there is enough out there to knock Bush out of the White House.

[Tinoire]

3. They're all hedging their bets which makes you wonder... n/t

[EXE619K]

2. Why is this not a surprise?

The new boss, is the old boss and the old boss is just...old.

"Nothing new here...move along folks!"

[Tinoire]

4. Please keep this kicked so more can see it. Kerry supporters keep

sinking this info like a rock. Another DUer posted it 2 days ago and it sunk. This is too important to sink in an election where the media is so transparently defining and determining our election.

[The Magistrate]

It Would Be Interesting, Ma'am

To know how much these wretches, particularly Murdoch entities, have given over to the Republican campaign committees. It is highly doubtful these trifling sums are the sole contributions these creatures have made this season, or that the bulk of their donations have not gone in the other direction.

Sooner or later, my friend, the point is goping to have to sink in to a lot of people: the man who gets fewer votes is not the people's choice, and this is not the result of devious machinations, but the people's own individual judgements.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[The Magistrate]

5. It Would Be Interesting, Ma'am

To know how much these wretches, particularly Murdoch entities, have given over to the Republican campaign committees. It is highly doubtful these trifling sums are the sole contributions these creatures have made this season, or that the bulk of their donations have not gone in the other direction.

Sooner or later, my friend, the point is going to have to sink in to a lot of people: the man who gets fewer votes is not the people's choice, and this is not the result of devious machinations, but of the people's own individual judgements.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Tinoire]

6. Kicking this up. Too important. n/t

[edzontar]

7. Don't Get Fooled Again

Meet the new boss, etc.

The powers that be have dodged the bullit once again--and we should be happy about this?

I think not.

[rocktivity]

8. They're hedging their bets in more ways than one

The mainstream media is at a crossroads of sorts. The public backlash against the Dean scream, the demise of the "Kerry's Intern" scandal, and having to explain why they didn't cover the AWOL story four years ago have put their credibility on the line. They know they won't be able to keep blindly backing Bush and keep their credibility intact, so by supporting Kerry this way, they'll look like they're being fair and balanced while they're jumping Bush's ship.


rocknation