NPR President Vivian Schiller Apologizes for Another On-Air Gaffe

[Orrex]

(http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=283x711">NewsSource Daily) Still stinging from the media-thrashing resulting from her firing of Juan Williams, NPR CEO and President Vivian Schiller found herself on the defensive yet again after the embattled public radio network aired a controversial piece during the contentious run-up to the November 2010 election.

"I've never heard of such an outrage," said Conservative pundit Norman Arbuthnot. "If NPR can't hold itself to a higher standard, then perhaps the time has come to pull the plug."

Critics ranging from Alex Castellanos to Newt Gingrich to Karl Rove are calling for a close audit of the network's funding in response to the spot, a three-minute segment on the construction of a soccer stadium in Benin.

"Schiller has clearly gone off the rails," said Gingrich. "News outlets are only permitted to air stories praising the 2010 Republican landslide victory. Once again we see the Liberal Media Machine at work."

"A human-interest story has no place on the public airwaves," fumed NPR contributor David Brooks. "NPR has a clear duty to inform the American public of the GOP takeover of the House and Senate. Schiller can't stop screwing up, it seems."

Reached for comment, Schiller struck a contrite tone: "I apologize to NPR listeners and members across the country. I will personally make every effort to ensure that future programming reflects the accepted narrative of the 2010 midterm elections."

But Robert Siegel, host of NPR's afternoon program All Things Considered, remained defiant. "Look, we just wrapped up a pledge drive. Don't our donors deserve at least one half-assed story that isn't about politics?"

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Snort!

[UTUSN]

2. There's a "range" among Alex- Newt- KKKarl?!1 n/t

[glitch]

7. I know, such a range! They could all double for each other.

Probably take turns putting their heads up each others asses.

[Rex]

3. If Rove and Newt hate it, it must be good!

How can RWing pundits that work for Foxnews say ANYTHING about a Liberal Media Machine? I wish their tongues would fall out of their mouths on TVEE!

[NNN0LHI]

12. They act like they hate the NY Times too

But they don't.

Don

[PSPS]

4. "the accepted narrative of the 2010 midterm elections"

"I've never heard of such an outrage"

"a three-minute segment on the construction of a soccer stadium in Benin."

"News outlets are only permitted to air stories praising the 2010 Republican landslide victory. Once again we see the Liberal Media Machine at work."

(NPR CEO and President) Schiller struck a contrite tone: "I apologize to NPR listeners and members across the country. I will personally make every effort to ensure that future programming reflects the accepted narrative of the 2010 midterm elections."

Is it just me, or is this a rather shocking revelation of the media, including NPR, as being nothing more than a Soviet-era Pravda-esque domestic propaganda organ?

[Jackpine Radical]

9. OMG, I missed that yesterday.

Damn, that's chilling.

[Orrex]

11. Terrifying, I know!

[Jackpine Radical]

5. OK, OK. Here's the missing link:

[Orrex]

8. That picture horrifies me.

But it doesn't surprise me.

[Quantess]

6. Just another tempest in a teapot.

The latest manufactured outrage.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. Is this satire?

It doesn't sound real at all. :shrug:

[JI7]

13. what was the on air gaffe ?

[SoCalDem]

14. Byee Vivian.

Sounds like she needs to spend lots of time with her family.

Firing of employees should never be discussed "outside the office"..

All she ever needed to say, if asked, was " "It was a contractual issue, and nothing further will be made public by NPR"..

She tried to be clever & snarky & it backfired royally..

[REP]

15. Oh FFS

To most of the responses, that is. Gullible isn't in the dictionary...

[Orrex]

16. Can't decide whether I'm surprised or not, honestly.

:rofl:

[LaurenG]

17. Dude you rock

this is more onion like than "The Onion." Good job! :rofl:

[Dr. Strange]

18. Um, that link has been debunked several times.

And on one occasion, deflowered.

[Orrex]

19. Those rumors have been substantiated.

Shame on you, rumor-monger.

[wackywaggin]

20. I have a better idea.

Lets shut down limbaugh, Beck and the other traitors of America and charge them with inciting riots and treason!! Clearly, they stoke the flames of hatred in this country.

Heretic Wack