Internal Fox News Email Addresses “Standards” After 9/12 Flap

[sabra]

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/internal-fox-email-addresses-standards-after-912-flap/

Mediaite has obtained an email from Fox News Vice President of News and Washington managing editor Bill Sammon to the staff of the D.C. bureau, in the wake of an FNC producer caught pumping up the crowd during the 9/12 tea party broadcast.

The email, with the subject line “standards,” addresses the controversy head-on: “We do not cheerlead for one cause or another,” writes Sammon. Full email after the jump:

Sammon uses the incident to drive home the need to be objective:

...


From: Sammon, Bill
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 2:25 PM
To: 005 -Washington
Subject: standards

For those of us who have only been at Fox for a relatively short period of time, it’s useful to remind ourselves that, as journalists, we must always be careful to cover the story without becoming part of the story. At news events, we’re supposed to function as dispassionate observers, not active participants. We are there to chronicle the news, not create it.

That means we ask questions in a fair, impartial manner. When approaching interviewees, we identify ourselves, by both name and news organization, up front. We seek out a variety of voices and views. We take note of the scene in order to bring color and context to our viewers.

We do not cheerlead for one cause or another. We do not rile up a crowd. If a crowd happens to be boisterous when we show it on TV, so be it. If it happens to be quiet, that’s fine, too. It’s not our job to affect the crowd’s behavior one way or the other. Again, we’re journalists, not participants — and certainly not performers.

Indeed, any effort to affect the crowd’s behavior only serves to undermine our legitimate journalistic role as detached eyewitnesses. Remember, our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting — not altering –the important events of the day. That is nothing less than a sacred trust. We must always take pains to preserve that trust.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please stop by.

[spanone]

1. the onion...right?

:rofl:

[damntexdem]

3. No, no! The Onion has some standards.

[damntexdem]

2. Read: 'We do not get CAUGHT cheerleading.'

I don't think for a moment that they are seriously concerned about standards.

[NYC Liberal]

4. This "memo" was obviously written just so it could be leaked

Thereby "proving" that Faux really really is "Fair and Balanced"

[LostInAnomie]

5. Gee... I think he's being sincere.

:sarcasm:

[Bolo Boffin]

6. The memo appears written to be "obtained". n/t

[johnfunk]

7. CYAmail if there ever was any.

Wonder if Bill "Tainted" Sammon is ever going to address the issue of Billo the Clown's producres stalking and ambushing targets "interviewees."

[Mz Pip]

15. CYA indeed

He wouldn't have bothered to write this if that video of the Fox newstwit coaching the crowd hadn't gotten out.

Ooops!

[CanonRay]

8. "Journalists"???

They've got to be kidding.

[gratuitous]

9. "If you have any questions . . ."

Translation: If this seems at odds with what we tell you in production meetings and during story assignments, relax; this is just for consumption by the rubes. Continue with business as usual.

[Lifelong Protester]

10. What's the deal with CNN tonight? Aren't they doing a news

show on the fact that Fox distorted CNN's coverage of the 9/12 debacle? I caught just a tidbit of the advert for it this AM before I left for work.

[Junkdrawer]

11. "Fox News" and "Standards" in the same sentence...Those Rapture rumors are True...

:scared:

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. The whole event was Glenn Beck's idea!

:rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

13. Dear Bill: May I be the first one to compliment you on your top-notch satire skills?

Seriously, this is good stuff, Bill. You have a gift for humor writing.

[hvn_nbr_2]

14. I guess they missed the :wink: :wink: smilie at the end of the email.

That means we ask questions in a fair, impartial manner. ;-)
We do not cheerlead for one cause or another. ;-)
We’re journalists, not participants — and certainly not performers. ;-)
Remember, our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting. ;-)

[Political Tiger]

16. I think it's understood! n/t

[tanyev]

17. He must not watch his own station.

[malaise]

18. BS

Fuck Fux.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Damn it we got caught

and them lawyers says we must do this.

[scheming daemons]

20. My special decoder ring can read between the lines of this email

From: Sammon, Bill
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 2:25 PM
To: 005 -Washington
Subject: standards

For those of us who have only been at Fox for a relatively short period of time (you newbees who haven't learned to be discreet), it’s useful to remind ourselves that, as journalists (tee hee), we must always be careful to cover the story without becoming part of the story (Hey dummies, make sure you aren't being recorded). At news events, we’re supposed to function as dispassionate observers, not active participants (Unless your name is Hannity, Beck, O'Reilly, or Cavuto. Those guys ARE allowed to be the news.). We are there to chronicle the news, not create it.

That means we ask questions in a fair, impartial manner (tee hee). When approaching interviewees, we identify ourselves (as a pimp and prostitute looking to avoid taxes), by both name and news organization, up front. We seek out a variety of voices and views (From the far right to the REALLY far right). We take note of the scene in order to bring color and context to our viewers (And it is an added bonus if you can show people "of color" at a rightwing event).

We do not cheerlead for one cause or another (outwardly). We do not rile up a crowd. If a crowd happens to be boisterous when we show it on TV (In such a way as to make it look 10 times larger than it is), so be it. If it happens to be quiet, that’s fine, too (But don't show it). It’s not our job to affect the crowd’s behavior one way or the other. Again, we’re journalists, not participants — and certainly not performers (Again... unless your name is Hannity, Beck, O'Reilly, or Cavuto.).

Indeed, any effort to affect the crowd’s behavior only serves to undermine our legitimate journalistic role as detached eyewitnesses (There are still many who consider us to be "legitimate"... go figure). Remember, our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting — not altering –the important events of the day (Just kidding. Our viewers have the collective IQ of a turnip). That is nothing less than a sacred trust. We must always take pains to preserve that trust (and not get caught!).

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please stop by.

[Critters2]

21. "cc: all media outlets that have access to the cheerleading video" nt

[Stephanie]

22. How, then, do they explain Glenn Beck???

His show CREATED 9-12, he is the LEADER of the organization, they DEBUTED it in a SPECIAL BROADCAST on Fox, Beck is USING it to sell books which are required reading for 9-12ers. WTF are they talking about?

[spanone]

23. olbermann reported that the producer had been 'disciplined'

[ThoughtCriminal]

24. Oh, and make sure this internal memo gets leaked...

Who's turn is it?