GE/FNC: Update…
The New York Times’ Brian Stelter puts out an even more detailed update to his earlier story. Given the fact that Stelter is full of details and the LA Times’ story is lacking in specificity, I have a sneaking feeling that the LA Times story was a plant meant to short circuit Stelter.
“We all recognize that a certain level of civility needed to be introduced into the public discussion,” Gary Sheffer, a spokesman for G.E., said this week. “We’re happy that has happened.”
The parent companies declined to comment directly on the details of the cease-fire, which was led by Jeff Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal, and Gary Ginsberg, an executive vice president who oversees corporate affairs at the News Corporation.
Mr. Olbermann, who is on vacation, said by e-mail message, “I am party to no deal,” adding that he would not have been included in any conversations between G.E. and the News Corporation. Fox News said it would not comment.
That last paragraph is going to get a lot of scrutiny and parsing. It would look bad for Olbermann if the story got out that he was muzzled. The part about him not being included in the discussions is a total non sequitur. Of course he wouldn’t be involved in any discussion. This took place at a level above even Olbermann’s pay grade. So that point is meaningless.
In fact Olbermann’s entire response could be considered a non-denial denial. He denies being part of a deal but doesn’t deny that he was ordered, or even suggested, to draw down his O’Reilly fire.
July 31, 2009 at 7:33 pm
It’ll be interesting to see how KO responds/acts upon his return from vacation. KO will probably want to “test” the truce since the stories have now broken. KO is in a unique position in that he does not want to appear “weak” or “abiding” to an agreement that he probably does not like.
When KO returns will he begin to disregard the truce & continue his verbal assault on BOR, NewsCorp, Murdoch, etc…? Will MSNBC management attempt to “control” KO & how will KO respond to any attempt by executive management to any editorial control?
July 31, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I think he won’t talk about it at all. It’s not in his interest to do so. If he immediately resumes fire then he’s confirming that he did stop as part of the deal.
July 31, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Spud…I agree up to a point. Since the stories are now being reported about the truce between GE & NewsCorp & KO doesn’t continue his verbal assaults on BOR & NewsCorp he’ll lose some valuable “street credibility” with his core audience.
KO values his identity with his core audience & if they sense he’s not going to stand up for himself against mgmt. it’ll make him appear weak.
Appearing weak/timid is the last thing KO wants for his audience to see and/or feel.
July 31, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Ha! Good point Spud. They didn’t squelch me, but if I come un-squelched, it proves they squelched me. It’s been a while so my definition may be a little fuzzy, but I think that’s a Catch-22.
July 31, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Spud…my reply is still in moderation. Not sure why.
July 31, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Chips, did you say Countdown is g@y?
July 31, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Approved it.
July 31, 2009 at 8:42 pm
KO doesn’t continue his verbal assaults on BOR & NewsCorp he’ll lose some valuable “street credibility” with his core audience.
With the story now out, that “street credibility” has already taken a hit. It’ll take a bigger one if he resumes fire on O’Reilly…
August 1, 2009 at 3:39 am
Chips – I don’t see how Olbermann loses any “street credibility” with his core audience. He ended it in a plausible way (in light of George Tiller’s death, it’s not funny anymore) and he can stick to that (the truce doesn’t change the fact about George Tiller and O’Reilly’s stoking the flames, as Olbermann sees it). He’ll just soldier on against Limbaugh.
August 1, 2009 at 3:43 am
This is a fascinating story – I never thought these two would actually agree to a cease-fire.
Richard Wolffe was on a talk radio show last week plugging his book and discussed a meeting that the Obama campaign had with either Roger Ailes or Rupert Murdoch. I don’t remember the specifics, but the gist of it was that the Obama campaign wanted Fox to lay off of Michelle Obama, and in return Fox asked that Obama sit down with O’Reilly. Wolffe added that they felt they got a raw deal in the end as Obama fulfilled his side of the bargain but Fox did not.
August 1, 2009 at 7:05 am
From bushleaguer, above: “but the gist of it was that the Obama campaign wanted Fox to lay off of Michelle Obama…”
When has Fox, or ANYONE (other than Rev. Manning) EVER gone after Michelle 0bama? Fox treats her like Jackie Kennedy; they fawn over her as much as any other news source.
Seriously – can anyone produce any instance of Fox being less than just “smitten” with Mrs. 0?
August 1, 2009 at 7:11 am
Apologies if anyone has posted this earlier (I’ve gotta get going right now), but here’s Glenn Greenwald’s take of the Brian Stetler/MSNBC/Fox debacle:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/08/01/ge/
They’re talking about the “parent companies” of these networks taking a hit. I can state personally that this has occurred – after MSNBC went so far left last year, I wanted nothing to do with GE products, after being a very happy owner of their appliances for years.
I’m now a Kitchen Aid owner, and will continue to buy their products as my GEs begin to fail. My choice of buying other than GE is a direct result of GE/NBC news and their turn to the left.
August 1, 2009 at 9:07 am
I think there’s another possibility here… Olby might not show up on Monday. He’s done that sort of thing before. If he shows up, no matter what he does some will see it as confirmation of the story.
August 1, 2009 at 9:10 am
I think it’s safe to say that you’re in the minority Missy. Few people buy a competitors product just because they hate a company. Most people will hold their nose and buy from the company because they like and/or need the product. Which is why Microsoft is still dominant in the OS market.
August 1, 2009 at 9:22 am
Missy, what operating system are you typing on?
August 1, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Missy –
I can’t detail every time Fox went after Obama’s wife, and it wasn’t across the board or every single day. That said, I do remember Fox And Friends and Hannity bringing up her “for the first time in my adult life I’m really proud of my country” line again and again.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t have reported on it – just a point of fact that they did hammer away at that.
Let’s not pretend that Fox was some sort of angel during the election year. Remember when Chris Wallice lectured the F&F crew for spending hours hammering Obama for his “typical white person/woman” comment?
August 2, 2009 at 6:05 am
Can we move beyond politics and the Fox said, Msnbc said crap for a minute. Look at the bigger picture here. These guys, Olbermann and O’Reilly were parties to an agreement between their respective bosses to dial down the hatred towards one another. No respectable journalist would agree to such a thing in a million years. That Olbermann and O’Reilly did speaks volumes about both of them and their lack of integrity. Furthermore, it also says volumes about the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing that impacts what you see and what you don’t see on-air. And yet, some here will still uphold these guys as some sort of hero when nothing could be any farther from the truth.