Rachel Maddow’s rant about Keith Olbermann: “And, FOX News!”

From last night on MSNBC:

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“They run as a political operation, we are not. Yes, Keith is a liberal and so am I, and there are other people on this network whose political opinions are shared with you, our beloved viewers. But we are not a political operation, we are a news operation.”

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Please. Admitting that you’re a liberal is akin to having Madonna admit that she’s provocative. Or, having Howard Stern admit that he’s a shock jock.

Well, duh.

But denying that MSNBC is a political operation is the height of media dishonesty, the kind of dishonesty that has sent the once high-flying cable network into the dust bin of also-rans.

Fox News has Geraldo Rivera, Alan Colmes, Juan Williams and Shepard Smith.  Who does MSNBC put on during any prime time broadcast who describes themselves as a conservative, for any other purpose than for ridicule, hyperbole or personal attack?

I’ll wait while you compile the list.

…

…

Crickets.

MSNBC is destined to go the way of Air America. The network is losing in the marketplace of ideas, and the reason for the hemorrhaging is not that Fox News is a “political operation.” No, the reason is that Fox News really is a news operation, and that MSNBC is not only a political operation, but a particularly bad one. It’s a bad political operation masquerading as a news network, and it’s anchor baby directly and intentionally violated company ethics policy by donating campaign cash to the very guests he had on his show.

Physician, heal thyself.

NPR exec issues memo to correspondents, provides “guidance” on responding to Williams firing

On Megyn Kelly’s show, America Live, Fox News is reporting that they have obtained a copy of a memorandum from National Public Radio CEO Vivian Schiller giving NPR employees and correspondence “guidance” on responding to media inquiries regarding the network’s controversial firing of long-time correspondent Juan Williams.

No further details were given during the 1:00 pm “News Alert,” other than the fact that the memorandum was issued from Schiller’s handheld wireless device. There’s no link yet on Fox’s website, nor are any other news outlets reporting.

Kelly says America Live will have additional coverage of the story later in the show.

Updates as they become available, but I’m laying 13 to 5 odds that the memo consisted of this sentence, or something similar:

“Dear colleagues, if asked to comment on NPR’s termination of Mr. Williams’ contract, please just STFU.  --Viv.”

Update: Here’s the email sent to NPR stations from Schiller:

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Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 12:05 PM Subject: Juan Williams

Dear AREPS,

Thank you for all of your varying feedback on the Juan Williams situation. Let me offer some further clarification about why we terminated his contract early.

First, a critical distinction has been lost in this debate. NPR News analysts have a distinctive role and set of responsibilities. This is a very different role than that of a commentator or columnist. News analysts may not take personal public positions on controversial issues; doing so undermines their credibility as analysts, and that’s what’s happened in this situation. As you all well know, we offer views of all kinds on your air every day, but those views are expressed by those we interview – not our reporters and analysts.

Second, this isn’t the first time we have had serious concerns about some of Juan’s public comments. Despite many conversations and warnings over the years, Juan has continued to violate this principal.

Third, these specific comments (and others made in the past), are inconsistent with NPR’s ethics code, which applies to all journalists (including contracted analysts):

“In appearing on TV or other media . . . NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist. They should not participate in shows . . . that encourage punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis.”

More fundamentally, “In appearing on TV or other media including electronic Web-based forums, NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist.”

Unfortunately, Juan’s comments on Fox violated our standards as well as our values and offended many in doing so.

We’re profoundly sorry that this happened during fundraising week. Juan’s comments were made Monday night and we did not feel it would be responsible to delay this action.

This was a tough decision and we appreciate your support.

Thanks,

Vivian

Vivian Schiller
President & CEO, NPR

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During fundraising week? 

I think you know what to do…

Other bloggers have noted some of NPR’s correspondents, analysts, personalities, whatever using outright slurs against conservatives.  All of those are still on the air, apparently.  I’m sure those bloggers will rehash the slights and I’ll link here as updates are available.

What strikes me in watching some of the coverage on the cable networks (Fox in particular) and in scanning blogs, facebook and twitter, NPR had no idea what kind of hornets nest they were sticking their shaft in.

(VIDEO) Fox News’ Megyn Kelly interviews R. Bruce Josten of the US Chamber of Commerce

R. Bruce Josten appeared on Fox News this afternoon as a guest of America Live with Megyn Kelly (aka, The Megynator™).  The subject was the recent spat of allegations from the White House and the DNC that the United States Chamber of Commerce has been using foreign political contributions to fund ads running against key Democrats in tight Congressional races:

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I think you score one for Josten and the Chamber.  It’s true that they’ve been around for forever.  It’s true that they understand the rules their political activities are governed by, and I’m sure it’s true that they’re audited annually.