ABC - The official Whitehouse news outlet.

[rifter]

I believe that journalism has been dying in America for some time. At one point, journalists at least ATTEMPTED to stay above politics, and report... even if they were biased. This last election cycle, that ended. Now, we have ABC News being the mouthpiece (http://www.drudgereport.com/flashaot.htm) for the White House. This is a very scary thing.

[National Kato]

Nothing new here. Last administration it was FOX News. As long as a network is not the only source of news, you can pretty much find a viewpoint you agree with or one that isn't as biased either way on another channel or through another medium.

[Suave Peanut]

Keith Olbermann must be very disappointed.

[rifter]

Nothing new here. Last administration it was FOX News. As long as a network is not the only source of news, you can pretty much find a viewpoint you agree with or one that isn't as biased either way on another channel or through another medium.

Wow, the SAD part, is that I think you actually believe that. FOX never went in, and set up shop in the White House.

I also find it funny how people bash the news COMMENTATORS (not journalists) and points to bias because of the commentators. They have Journalists there, too... and you NEVER hear people bitching about them. It is the commentators, which all of the networks have, and they do not fall under the journalist umbrella.

[biosc1]

We have the CBC news up here. They tend to be the mouthpiece of the ruling party mainly because their network is funded by the government (and us, indirectly through taxes, though they don't seem to recognize that).

It's accepted. Unfortunately, I worry about people who only get their news from one source and one source only. You really have to spread your news sources around to get the big picture.

[roboninja]

Wow, the SAD part, is that I think you actually believe that. FOX never went in, and set up shop in the White House.


Semantics, at best. This is a horrible thing, but it is not a new horrible thing. Well, the party getting their BS spewed is not the same, so there is some difference I guess.

[National Kato]

Wow, the SAD part, is that I think you actually believe that. FOX never went in, and set up shop in the White House.

What the fuck difference does location make if the message is the same? A network being in the White House pocket has the same end result whether they're broadcasting a 'town hall' one night in the East Room or all year long from their Hollywood studio.

[LiquidRain]

I simply find it amusing that:

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.

It doesn't seem like there is a debate on this. If healthcare reform is going to go through and the plan they're going with is going to be presented during this gov't infomercial, doesn't make sense to air opposing views. I'm reminded of Jon Stewart: "You guys LOST." Look at 'em squiiiiiirm.

Yes, there's all sorts of wrong wrapped up in this for issues people mentioned above. TV sucks, network sucks, FOX loves Republicans, blah blah...

[ShivaX]

People watch network news?

[National Kato]

...is going to be presented during this gov't infomercial, doesn't make sense to air opposing views.

I'm by no means defending ABC News, which I don't watch, but they state that the town hall event will be populated by 'Americans selected by ABC News who have divergent opinions in this historic debate." Take that as you will, with as much salt as you please. :)

Might be worth watching to see how 'divergent' the opinions are, but it's not as bad as the OP makes it sound. There are other outlets from which you can get your coverage of health care reform.

[rifter]

Might be worth watching to see how 'divergent' the opinions are, but it's not as bad as the OP makes it sound. There are other outlets from which you can get your coverage of health care reform.

See, here is the rub... Obama is a MAJOR hypocrite. His party is calling for the "fairness doctrine" to be reinstated, yet, he is doing something like THIS, which is FAR more one-sided in a NEWS CAST, on Network Television... than political commentators are on local radio stations.

[National Kato]

Wait, are you upset with Obama or ABC...'cause it's not clear anymore?

[Hemalin]

No one(important) is calling for the fairness doctrine to be reinstated.

[National Kato]

Ah, not that 'Fairness Doctrine' bullshit again. C'mon rifter, it took me all of five seconds to Google the term and find that it's not supported by Obama and overstated by conservatives and liberals:

Both sides are likely overstating the doctrine's import. Even if it were to return, liberals would have a hard time co-opting the Fairness Doctrine to limit conservative talk radio to the degree they might like. The FCC has never applied the Fairness Doctrine to a talk radio host, nor does the regulation force stations to give equal time for every perspective. Further, the point might be moot without support from the Oval Office — which the doctrine does not currently enjoy. "As the President stated during the campaign, he does not believe the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated," a White House spokesman said Feb. 18. Assuming the regulation doesn't get its renaissance this time, give it a few years. If history's any indication, the Fairness Doctrine will rear its head again.

[rifter]

Wait, are you upset with Obama or ABC...'cause it's not clear anymore?

Actually, both. ABC for being Obama's mouthpiece... who still tries to masquerade as a legitimate news source... and Obama for doing this.

As for the Fairness Doctrine... Just because Obama doesn't CALL it that... doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
Fairness doctrine by any other name is Localism (http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/11/obama_declares_war_on_conserva.html).

[National Kato]

As for the Fairness Doctrine... Just because Obama doesn't CALL it that... doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
Fairness doctrine by any other name is Localism (http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/11/obama_declares_war_on_conserva.html).

Other than a brief mention of a written statement Obama submitted back in 2007, that linked article doesn't have any quotes showing Obama or anyone else is actively trying to get the 'localism/Fairness Doctrine' applied. So what the hell are you talking about? Why are you worried about something that rears its head every so often in our American government since 1987, but goes nowhere?

You also haven't addressed why the Fairness Doctrine scares you. After all, what does it really do? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine)

The Fairness Doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented.I know Limbaugh and Hannity like to get their panties in a twist over what they perceive would happen if it were reinstated, but their rhetoric sounds hollow. No one has introduced legislation to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine since 2005. Your statements about Obama's support or efforts to 'secretly' reinstate the law by other names is pure speculation. Check your tinfoil, brother.

As for your anger with Obama and ABC News for having a one-night event in the White House? Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Welcome to mainstream broadcast news.

[National Kato]

What about when FOX News did the same thing?

S5gNOete1mo

Or FOX News again? (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,221975,00.html)

Or maybe when FOX had reporters as mouthpieces for the Bush Administration? (http://thinkprogress.org/2008/07/26/mcclellan-fox-talking-points/)

_D08K7Q6hyE

Or maybe, you know, the fact that every major press agency has a reporter inside the White House every day reporting the news. Some even report from the West Wing press room or on the front lawn!

I'm hopeful that you're equally as outraged by all of this.

[alienmastermind]

My bet, Kato is probably 'No'.
:)