The right dictating MSNBC's programming decisions

[EV_Ares]

By: Glenn Greenwald

MSNBC's announcement that it is replacing Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews with David Gregory as anchors for its main political events (the upcoming presidential debates and election) vividly illustrates several long-obvious facts. First, nothing changes the behavior of our media corporations more easily than vocal demands and complaints from the Right, which petrify media executives and cause them to snap into line. From today's New York Times article identifying some of the causes for MSNBC's decision. In response to media criticism that the press is insufficiently substantive and adversarial to political power, the claim is frequently made that media outlets are simply driven by the profit motive, and that their programming choices are nothing more than a by-product of ratings. But in MSNBC's case, that is plainly untrue. Back in 2003, they actually canceled their highest-rated program, Phil Donahue's show, for purely ideological reasons -- because, at a time when the establishment "liberal media" were systematically amplifying the Government's pro-war views and excluding anti-war views, that short-lived MSNBC show was one of the only venues in America where one could hear anti-war viewpoints, and NBC's fear of angering the Government and the Right clearly caused them, first, to impose extreme and unusual restrictions on the show's content, and then to cancel it altogether.

Link to entire Salon article: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/09/08/msnbc/index.html

[SoCalDem]

1. Jack Welch

and his henchmen are still calling the shots.

The ONLY way this will change is for dems to win, and win BIG.. then change the FCC, and make these behemoths divest themselves, and break into real competitive venues..

Mandate that "news" sections be once again, INDEPENDENT from the host company..and to set aside totally separate parts that are uniquely COMMENTARY..label it right/left..whatever and let the people decide which they prefer..

[nradisic]

2. SoCalDem is 100% on target

We must re-regulate the media. First thing Obama should do when he gets into office is strengthen the FCC and re-regulate the media....

[EV_Ares]

5. You know, I got to thinking and you remember where Keith made some true but not so favorable

comments about Brokaw. I wonder if Brokaw, Gregory and Scarborough also joined in the corporate decision to do what they did.

[SoCalDem]

6. There is a power vacuum at MSRNC

Tim Russert's death left a "slot" open.. I have read that Chuck Todd was Tim's protégé, but he's perceived at "not ready". I can see them putting him on more and more to maybe bolster his chance when the MTP decision is finally made. Tom B is a placeholder..(I really wish he would just go away again..and stay away , this time).. Keith does not want the spot, but clearly, the other all do..

There's a lot of jockeying for position, and sharp elbows are flying.. Chris Matthews probably was pissed at Keith (no love lost there), because that on-air fracas diminshed him..He's probably going to run for senate from PA, anyway, but the others are probably pushing back..hard..

TR was "news director", and who gets that spot is anyone's guess. It will NOT be Keith, though.. He defined himself too narrowly, and my guess is that Jack Welch et al, are busily looking for a way to rid themselves of Keith..

BUT if strong dem adminstration comes in, and some FCC changes get made..and made early on, things could really get shaken up..

It will be interesting:)

[EV_Ares]

8. Hey, thanks for that, wasn't looking in that direction but that alll makes sense. Yeah,

with Tim Russert's loss, can see where that being the coveted position it is, could cause some friction and jealosies. I too will be glad when Brokaw is gone. What you said about Chuck Todd I can see as well with them trying to use him as not a pollster but one of the anchors and you can see them putting him to the test more now. He does well as a pollster but actually doing the news, needs a little work yet.

I really do hope the Dems if they are in a position to do so, will take on this corporate media though and get it more dependent and away from the corporate ownership.

Thanks.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. On the Today Show this AM. Fluff piece on how great Palin is. McCain's daughter on. Then "promise

rings.

Welch's filthy fascist hands were unbelievably evident.

[KharmaTrain]

7. More Basic Than That...

Gramps, while claiming to be a "mavrick" is one of the broadcast industry's best buddies. Just ask Vickie Iseman. "Deregulation" allowed companies like GE to make billions by turning the public airwaves and the cable systems into their private playgrounds. Gramps sits on the commerce committee that is the gatekeeper on deregulation and has been the "swing" vote that enabled GE, Disney, Viacom, Clear Channel, Tribune, Newscrap (Faux) and others to not only dominate the mediums, but become so huge that they are all but exempt from competition...and maintaining artificially high stock prices due to that control.

News is a tool in their arsenal to maintain their cherished position...a big reason that Faux & NBC jumped on setting up news channels while the ink was still drying on Dereg '96...and turning the news into "entertainment"...profiting off the news and manipulating the political system.

They see an Obama victory as their biggest nightmare ad he along with Commissioners Copps and Adelman have promised to do a long overdue and mandated revision of Dereg...including the re-institution of "cross-over" rules that prevented Newspapers (like the Tribune) from owning television properties or owning all the levels of production and distribution. This is especially the case now as revenues in broadcasting are in free fall and its the inflated stock and "stick values" (prices of their properties) that generate millions for the CEOs and the stockholders.

[madrchsod]

3. general electric needs johnnie and sarah to win

[JohnnyBoots]

9. Doesn't this disprove the whole "Liberal Media" theory?????