MSNBC executives have decided to pull the plug on Keith Olbermann (Countdown) and Chris Matthews (Hardball). Both anchors will not be at the helm when MSNBC delivers “political night” coverage. For the record, executives have blamed dismal Nielsen ratings as a justification for the move. Anyone watching MSNBC knows that it might have more to do with impartial reporting than audience share.
Somewhere along the way, Keith lost the script. Within 18 months he's gone from super broadcaster (I’ve been a fan of Olbermann and SC since 1992) to leftist mouthpiece without a sign of neutrality. Its been painful at times enduring the Olbermann/Matthews man-crush on Obama. MSNBC’s coverage of the DNCC in Denver was memorable and ugly at the same time. Switching from Chris’s tingly feelings to what seemed like Fox News broadcasting live from a funeral was awkward to say the least.
During convention coverage, Olbermann apologized to his viewers after MSNBC aired a September eleventh video homage created by the Republican Party. Olbermann said, “we would be rightly eviscerated at all quarters, perhaps by the Republican Party itself, for exploiting the memories of the dead, and perhaps even for trying to evoke that pain again, if you reacted to that videotape the way I did, I apologize.” I think Keith may have missed the memo on MSNBC re-airing “9/11 AS IT HAPPENED” (two hours of September 11th, 2001 footage including the terror of both towers falling, etc. etc.) yesterday, September 11th, 2008.
So… is there objectivity on FOX News, MSNBC, or CNN… if not, where can you find it?
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3 comments:
There is objectivity on CNN because it's a television network that includes opinions but not too often. When I look at CNN, the news is very general. There are heated discussions when it comes to political topics but there is a sense of professionalism. The newscasters have a right to free speech under the first amendment of the constitution. If CNN were always opinion based with politics, then it would not be accredited for what it used to be.
The first amendment applies to all mass media, especially television. People with a career in Mass Communications are always entitled to a right to free speech. They have to be careful thgouth while utilizing their right. It comes down to the right to free speech because everybody is entitled to an opinion.
DaMarkus James
Personally I think that they took it a little too far in airing footage of 9/11 on 9/11. Yes they are protected by the first amendment and they are intitled to freedom of speech. But not many people want to relive the horrible acts that happened on that day. In my opinion it comes down to ethics. Why would you replay such a horrendous expierence? They have the right to but why would they if they new how much it impacted everyone?
~Kyle Morehouse MCCNM 101 9:30
For cable news stations it shouldn't have to be completely objective. Most network stations report with a right side biased. But it is only an issue when news in reported with a left wing biased. It is obvious that FOXnews is completely right winged and they know that is what their viewers want. It is the choice of the consumer as to where they get there news. No news is completely objective especially on the political spectrum. It is up to an individual to collect the information they need to form an opinion.
Kelly Hughes
MCCNM 101
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