Conservative outlets offered to spin missing governor story

[meegbear]

In a report published Tuesday, South Carolina newspaper The State discloses the first in a series of e-mails straight from Governor Mark Sanford's staff, obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests.

But in this report, the most interesting tidbit is not about the governor himself, but the media surrounding him. Buried at the bottom is this nugget of truth:

-- By June 22, four days after Sanford had left for his trip, dozens of media outlets were working to determine where he was.

Some outlets, hoping to outdo their competition, were volunteering to coordinate with the governor’s office to spin the story to Sanford’s advantage.

A staffer with The Washington Times wrote in an e-mail that “if you all want to speak on this publicly, you’re welcome to Washington Times Radio. You know that you will be on friendly ground here!”

On June 23, a Fox News Channel correspondent wrote to Sawyer, “Having known the Governor for years and even worked with him when he would host radio shows for me — I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous! Please give him my best.”

This brand of schmoozing is unethical and widespread among media both mainstream and local, though most readers/viewers/listeners simply do not see it. Little reminders like this are just fodder for holding strong to your skepticism.

The paper is promising more e-mails soon.

http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/07/conservative-outlets-offered-to-spin-missing-governor-story/

[KharmaTrain]

1. And The Pope Is Catholic, Too...

This is just business as usual...not just for right wing rags like the Moonie Times but for many news operations. They try to cultivate contacts to get access and information and will try to find an edge to do so. And, yes, many will either spin a story or frame it in a favorable light to get an exclusive or access.

[Demit]

2. If you click on your first link, you'll see Stephen Colbert was schmoozing, too

In the list of pdf's there's an email from him. So all the media outlets were radio and tv shows that wanted him on as a guest. I think rawstory's headline overinterprets the situation. Or how else do you fit in Stephen Colbert? http://www.thestate.com/local/story/862957.html

[TommyO]

3. The Colbert Report is not a news show

It's a comedy/entertainment show with a newsy veneer.

[Demit]

4. Oh wow, I did not know that. You are so informative!!

If a little slow on the uptake. The implication Rawstory was making was that it was only conservative outlets (their term) doing the schmoozing, and that it had to be for unethical reasons (presumably, to support Sanford politically).

A 'newsy veneer'? LOL, I just love that phrase. I myself consider The Colbert Report to be satire, and I'll bet Stephen Colbert does too. Apparently you tune in to be entertained by the comedy alone, the subject matter being of no importance, only providing 'veneer'. LOL!