http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/13/cable-news-ratings-for-monday-january-12/10776

 

Here are some numbers for the Ratings of Cable News

People need to realize this: Yes, a network "should" promote a certain political movement if they are acting in their own interest of making a profit and bringing in viewers. However, the question that Clyde is asking is, in the interest of being fair and balanced (ironically, isn't this FNC's slogan), "should" a network promote a particular movement?

Simply saying, "This event is going on at this time" is not the same thing as saying, "You should go out to this event at this time."

Simply saying, "This event is going on at this time" is not the same thing as saying, "You should go out to this event at this time."

 

Or the same as mocking it as MSNBC has been doing.

 

For anyone interested, here is how the different networks have covered it today.

 

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/how_the_cablers_covered_the_tea_parties_114170.asp

Seems like a silly question since we all know that certain networks lean one way or the other. However, should a news channel be so bold as to come out and actually promote a political protest/movement?

 

I'm not commenting on the validity of the protest or movement. I'm simply asking if it should be promoted by a news organization.

 

Should, for example, MSNBC have promoted an anti-Bush protest put on by a particular organization?

 

Should CNN promote a rally against the war?

 

Should NBC promote a rally against spending bills?

 

 

Is the Tea Party a "Political" movement, or is a grass roots movement of American citizens fed up with their tax dollars being used to grow a government that's spiraling into debt? It's my understanding that there are people of all parties and walks of life involved in this protest.

 

I see it as a protest and not a political movement.

Is the Tea Party a "Political" movement, or is a grass roots movement of American citizens fed up with their tax dollars being used to grow a government that's spiraling into debt? It's my understanding that there are people of all parties and walks of life involved in this protest.

 

I see it as a protest and not a political movement.

 

Grass roots movements do not need Fox to promote it.

 

As to your last sentence, should news network who says "fair and balanced" be promoting protests?

 

Lastly, I don't recall this supposed "grass roots movement" or Fox promoting this debt/tax issue prior to January 20, 2009.

I don't believe that a "news" organization should promote a political viewpoint. I also don't believe that Hannity, O'Reilly, Olberman, or Maddow are part of a "news" organization. They are infotainment. So if Hannity wants to say everybody so go to a tea party that's fine. If Olberman wants to say that those who go to tea parties are idiots that's fine too. They have staked out their territory. I'll give as much credence to infotainment that it deserves. What bothers me more is those who claim to be unbiased reporters of the news, a distortion-free mirror of the days events, and even claim special privilege for the service they provide but who are nothing more than political hacks with an agenda. Remember, Dan Rather was supposedly a "news" guy.

Grass roots movements do not need Fox to promote it.

 

As to your last sentence, should news network who says "fair and balanced" be promoting protests?

 

Lastly, I don't recall this supposed "grass roots movement" or Fox promoting this debt/tax issue prior to January 20, 2009.

 

We never had a 1.8 trillion dollar deficit prior to January 20, 2009.

We never had a 1.8 trillion dollar deficit prior to January 20, 2009.

 

So that's the magic number? We're cool with it until it gets to that figure?

 

Come on, Shooter. This , once again, shows the agenda of Rupert Murdoch. I'm guessing , and only guessing, that Rupert also takes advantage of offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes to the U.S.

I don't believe that a "news" organization should promote a political viewpoint. I also don't believe that Hannity, O'Reilly, Olberman, or Maddow are part of a "news" organization. They are infotainment. So if Hannity wants to say everybody so go to a tea party that's fine. If Olberman wants to say that those who go to tea parties are idiots that's fine too. They have staked out their territory. I'll give as much credence to infotainment that it deserves. What bothers me more is those who claim to be unbiased reporters of the news, a distortion-free mirror of the days events, and even claim special privilege for the service they provide but who are nothing more than political hacks with an agenda. Remember, Dan Rather was supposedly a "news" guy.

 

Is Fox News "infotainment?"

You get a couple dozen kooks in pink shirts protesting an approved left wing cause or even one war mom like Cindy Sheehan protesting W and MSNBC, CNN, and the big news networks can't get enough cameras and reporters on the site... and then they play the same clips over and over and over and over and over...

 

But, you get thousands of average citizens turning out in cities all over the nation to legally express their concerns about runaway spending and every American child being born into $70,000 of debt right out of the womb and MSNBC won't cover it, and can't even mention what's going on without a snide quip or derrogatory comment.

 

Yeah... Fox News is waaaayyy over the line here... :rolleyes:

You get a couple dozen kooks in pink shirts protesting an approved left wing cause or even one war mom like Cindy Sheehan protesting W and MSNBC, CNN, and the big news networks can't get enough cameras and reporters on the site... and then they play the same clips over and over and over and over and over...

 

But, you get thousands of average citizens turning out in cities all over the nation to legally express their concerns about runaway spending and every American child being born into $70,000 of debt right out of the womb and MSNBC won't cover it, and can't even mention what's going on without a snide quip or derrogatory comment.

 

Yeah... Fox News is waaaayyy over the line here... :rolleyes:

 

FB , you have completely overlooked the fact that none of those stations mentioned EVER actively promoted with a graphic like "FNC Tea Party."

 

That's my point. I started this thread saying that both sides have friendly stations.

 

This goes way above and beyond this. When you see a graphic saying "MSNBC/CNN/CBS War Protest Party" call me.

You get a couple dozen kooks in pink shirts protesting an approved left wing cause or even one war mom like Cindy Sheehan protesting W and MSNBC, CNN, and the big news networks can't get enough cameras and reporters on the site... and then they play the same clips over and over and over and over and over...

 

But, you get thousands of average citizens turning out in cities all over the nation to legally express their concerns about runaway spending and every American child being born into $70,000 of debt right out of the womb and MSNBC won't cover it, and can't even mention what's going on without a snide quip or derrogatory comment.

 

Yeah... Fox News is waaaayyy over the line here... :rolleyes:

 

good points. Chris Mathews openly promoted Obama during the campaign.

FB , you have completely overlooked the fact that none of those stations mentioned EVER actively promoted with a graphic like "FNC Tea Party."

 

That's my point. I started this thread saying that both sides have friendly stations.

 

This goes way above and beyond this. When you see a graphic saying "MSNBC/CNN/CBS War Protest Party" call me.

So just because a network is "honest" enough to admit which side of the fence they're on they are less legitimate than the spineless weasels who covertly feed us their bilge hoping a majority of the "dumb masses" won't catch on to the propaganda?

 

Hats off to Fox News for being upfront about their intentions. :thumb:

 

I don't care if it's "balanced", but it certainly is "fair".

So just because a network is "honest" enough to admit which side of the fence they're on they are less legitimate than the spineless weasels who covertly feed us their bilge hoping a majority of the "dumb masses" won't catch on to the propaganda?

 

Hats off to Fox News for being upfront about their intentions. :thumb:

 

I don't care if it's "balanced", but it certainly is "fair".

 

Openness is great. However, it certainly eliminates the "fair and balanced" mantra.