"This Week on ABC" to be fact-checked

By GottaLaff

From the Department of It's About Time:

This week we’ve invited Pulitzer Prize winning website PolitiFact to fact-check the newsmaker interviews featured on the program.

The idea was first proposed by NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen and I thought it worth a try. PolitiFact editor Bill Adair, the St Petersburg Times’ Washington bureau chief, and I know each other from fact-checking forums and such (I was at the Fact Check desk during the 2004 elections) so I asked him if he’d be willing to give it a try. He was.

This is something many of us have been begging for for years now. You'd think "news" programs would have fact checked on their own and not have to be convinced to do so by NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen... back in 2009.

You'd also think that news oriented programs would do their level best to get the facts right in the first place. Instead, they go out of their way to prove how fair they can be by inviting opposing sides with opposing voices to over talk each other to prove their opposing points.

Facts have very little to do with it. Ratings do. Working their audiences into a lather does, because that generates higher ratings. And generating higher ratings leads to generating more money.

However, it does very little to educate viewers. And as I keep saying, an uninformed electorate means the end of a real democracy. Voters cast ballots for candidates who have more money, bigger megaphones, and effective messaging.

Please note that I did not say accurate messaging, but effective.

If viewers were knowledgeable and could spot misinformation more readily, they would be less likely to support those who disseminate it. And they would be much less likely to watch so-called "news" shows that push it.

So, kudos to This Week, but come on, it shouldn't have taken this long to do something as fundamental as busting the liars. And the idea that they have to boast about it suggests that, until now, many haven't been exactly reliable, trustworthy sources of information.

VIDEO- Rep. John Larson: "We have the votes, we're gonna make history today"

By GottaLaff



Now let's hope we keep the votes.

Christiane Amanpour Leaves CNN to Host ABC's 'This Week'

Why a classy reporter like Amanpour would want to hook up with ABC, especially in the light of finding out that they paid that white trash "grieving mom" Casey Anthony $200k for an interview?

First on TVNewser: CNN's Christiane Amanpour is leaving CNN and will become the new anchor of ABC News' "This Week" TVNewser has learned. ABC News staff was informed internally Thursday afternoon.

She will begin with "This Week" in August, and Jake Tapper will fill-in until then. The show will continue to be shot in Washington at the Newseum. There are no staff changes announced at this time.

In the last few weeks, Amanpour had been rumored to be in talks with ABC for the job, and FishbowlDC reported Monday that ABC News had made the long-time CNN host an offer.

Ex Bushie to "Moderate" This Week This Week

Looks like the mouse has finally climbed into the Republican Party's pocket. Imagine the hue and cry if this were DeeDee Myers or Joe Lockhart. ADDED- Which made me think- is there a shortage of straight (meaning bias not sexual) reporters? First one that comes to mind for me from ABC would be Martha Raddatz, but there's a whole crapload over there that would be much better than Dowd.

Chief strategist of the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and current ABC News contributor and political analyst Matthew Dowd will fill the rotating moderator seat on ABC's "This Week" this Sunday, TVNewser has learned.

Dowd is the first non-anchor or correspondent to moderate the program since it began rotating hosts after George Stephanopoulos left the program for "Good Morning America." It will be Dowd's first time anchoring a program.

ABC News tells us, "Since joining ABC in 2007, Matthew Dowd has provided independent and fair analysis on issues confronting the country. He has tremendous ability to speak to and understand all sides of an issue."

Vid via Heather.

Dick Cheney's "fairly large concessions"

By GottaLaff

I found it harder than usual to post a video of Cheney today, so I refrained. I didn't want to subject any of us to his face, his speech patterns, his lies, his offensive digs, or his nasty demeanor.

However, Greg Sargent posted a comprehensive recap of Dickless McHeartStent's appearance on ABC today. Here it is, in part, but please go read the whole thing.

And thank you, Greg, for saving me from the torture (pun intended) of having to sit through another one of his nauseating interviews:

Some real news in the Dick Cheney interview on ABC: First, Cheney basically endorsed repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

And second, he made fairly large concessions when it comes to his criticism of the current administration: He conceded that the shoe bomber could have been placed in military custody under Bush, but wasn’t. And he acknowledged that some in the Bush administration — not himself, obviously — saw trying terror suspects in civilian courts as an effective weapon against terrorism.

No question, Cheney repeated many standard attacks on Obama — he doesn’t view our hunt for terrorists as a war; he’s trapped in a pre-9/11 mentality; etc.

But Cheney struggled to explain why it’s fair game to criticize Obama’s use of Mirandizing and civilian trials when these techniques were used under his administration.

There now. That was relatively painless.

Video- HHS Secretary Sebelius Calls Death Panel Talk "Horrific"

I know she's on our side, but out of all the people who make up this administration, Sec Sebelius is the one I'm most disappointed by. She is monotone, doesn't answer the questions (very surprised Tapper let her get away with it) and just has a very flat delivery. I should bookmark her speeches for nights I can't sleep...

ABC News' Johnson debunks health care myths

Now we need the rest of the tv channels to do the same.

ABC's "This Week" Tops MTP For First Time In 10 Years

Need anymore evidence that you suck there Gregory?

For the first time since June 27th, 1999, ABC's "This Week" drew more Total Viewers and A25-54 demo viewers than NBC's "Meet The Press," the longest running show in television history. The ratings win for "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" marks the first time in over ten years that the program scored first in both categories during regular coverage. The closest ABC had come was in August 2007, when "This Week" scored first in the demo, but tied "MTP" in Total Viewers.

Myth-information- ABC: Hannity = News

By GottaLaff

I simply must copy and paste the entire Boehlert Media Matters post. I wouldn't want you to miss one scrumptious word of it:

Perfectly capturing the mindset of our 'liberal media', which treats right-wing hate radio hosts as being deeply insightful and important, ABC's The Note posts this news bulletin:

ABC News' Rick Klein reports: Conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity today called President Obama’s speech in Cairo part of “an apology tour” that conveys a sense that America has been “arrogant.”

BTW, The Note offered no context, rebuttal or fact-checking in its Hannity report. It was just Stenography 101.

But did The Note post this Hannity-related newsworthy little tidbit? I'm gonna take a wild guess and say "no".

It's the small things

Last night the President gave a self depreciating intro to his commencement speech where he worked in the not getting an "honorary degree" from ASU with how everyone is building a "body of work", no matter how young or old, that it's a lifetime achievement. What were the headlines this morning?

Obama: Don't Focus on Material Things (ABC)

Obama turns controversy into jokes, lesson at commencement (CNN)

Obama To Grads: "Always More To Achieve" (CBS)

Obama says his, graduates' best work ahead (MSNBC)

Fox News?

Obama: I Don't Deserve ASU Honor

Mark Levin smells a conspiracy in the Obama White House

Dude, that's some concentrated crazy right there. Think Progress has the trail from Right Wing Meme to Main Stream Media Question, and it's damn disturbing.

ABC, NBC, CBS Will Carry Obama News Conference — FOX Won't

You know, it does get old after a while, but how do you think the punditocracy would have reacted if NBC refused to air one of Bush's press conferences?

The big three broadcasters will air Pres. Barack Obama's news conference Wednesday night at 8pmET, the 100th day of the Obama administration.

But one network will not cover the news conference — FOX. Repeated calls to FOX to check on their plans went unanswered this afternoon, but THR's James Hibberd has a FOX statement: "Fox's sister networks, Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network, will air the press conference in its entirety. Fox will be alerting viewers with an onscreen graphic at the top of the 8:00 PM (ET) hour that the press conference is available on Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network."

(snip)

At 8pmET, FOX will air a new episode of "Lie to Me."

Anonymous Commenter: ABC producer flat out said "'we needed to bring Obama's approval ratings down.'"

By GottaLaff

Paddy linked you to a post over at Open Left. I'd like to follow up by making a couple of remarks by an anonymous commenter very public. Take them for what they're worth, since they're from an anonymous source, but IMHO, they are worth a lot:

I just got laid off from ABC after five years. The stories I can tell you. The stories. [...]

I just got laid off at ABC and my best friend works at CNBC.

They don't want Democrats on air. We've been only booking Republicans because "everybody already knows where the Democrats stand"

After all, what are the Democrats going to do? complain? It's the liberal media, right?

I was in a meeting last week where our producer flat out said we needed to "bring Obama's approval ratings down"

Everyone who got laid off this week was an Obama supporter.

Surprised?

Not in the least. Time to put the word out about this kind of bias. This post is a start.

VIDEO: Laugh along with Joe Biden

By GottaLaff


If we already posted this, it's worth a second look. If we haven't, I dare you to watch this without cracking up along with Joe. His laugh is infectious.

We lerve him so much, and we need a good laugh.

ABC/WaPo: Obama Takes Clear Lead, 52-43 Over McCain

Nice waker upper this morning.

Obama 52 (47)
McCain 43 (49)

More voters trust Obama to deal with the economy, and he currently has a big edge as the candidate who is more in tune with the economic problems Americans now face. He also has a double-digit advantage on handling the current problems on Wall Street, and as a result, there has been a rise in his overall support. The poll found that, among likely voters, Obama now leads McCain by 52 percent to 43 percent. Two weeks ago, in the days immediately following the Republican National Convention, the race was essentially even, with McCain at 49 percent and Obama at 47 percent.

Added extra bonus-

9/24 Daily Kos R2K Tracking Poll: Obama 48 , McCain 44

VIDEO: ABC Roundtable, Will and Brazile edition

By GottaLaff

Donna Brazile and George Will agree that we're being railroaded? Really? Will and Brazile: Rhyme and reason?

Sam Donaldson re: Gramm-pa:

"He's showing too much anger."

Welcome to our world, Sam.

H/t: Eve

Charles Gibson interviews: Sarah Louise Palin flubs entitlement question, admits backing earmarks

By GottaLaff

Round 2:

Sarah Palin, talking about domestic policy with ABC's Charles Gibson in his second day of exclusive access on Friday, seem confused about entitlement programs--and unaware that Congress has little say in significantly reducing the costs of Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.

When she seemed to equate these entitlement programs to agencies "where we can find efficiencies in every department" Gibson lectured her that agencies are not involved in entitlements.

Didn't Andrea Mitchell play mommy and chide her as she would a child, too? Why yes she did.

She referred to the Arizona senator as "McCain" several times in the interview.

Didn't Grandpa J Sid teach you to address him as "Mr. Grandpa"? You are so grounded.

Of note:

*For someone running against Washington--an act of Congress helped define Palin's life. Palin, 44, a high school basketball player, said, "I am a product of Title 9," a reference for the section of the 1972 act of Congress to force female sports equity.

* On earmarks--McCain is on a crusade to ban them--Palin did not make full use of an opportunity by Gibson to persuasively explain why she was for the infamous Alaskan Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it--after it was dead in Congress.

She said she just read the "writing on the wall....that project is going nowhere... circumstances have so drastically changed," she said. [...]

*She justified an earmark for an Alaskan study on the "mating habits of crabs" because it was done, she said, in the open.

So as long as you screw over Americans out in the open, it's okay? BushCo will be relieved to hear that.

*Palin differs with McCain on abortion. John and Cindy McCain would allow abortions for victims of rape and incest. Palin would only allow an exception if the life of the mother was in danger. "This is my personal opinion," she pleaded.

*On stem cell research, the McCain campaign released a radio ad Friday touting his support for stem cell research the Bush White House--and Palin opposes. [...]

*She's not a gay basher. Gibson asked Palin if homosexuality was genetic or learned and she said it's not for her to "judge" people.

*Palin said Barack Obama may regret not tapping Hillary Clinton to be his running mate. "I think he's regretting not picking her now, I do. ..."

It's good to see she's not trying to use Hillary to stir things up. And it's swell that she's refusing to judge genetics, especially when that wasn't the question. Now, about those earmarks:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in a new installment of her interview with ABC News's Charlie Gibson, backed earmarks and her right, both as a governor and a mayor, to request and secure them -- just don't call them earmarks. Call it "infrastructure."

"I was for infrastructure being built in the state," she said, "and it's not inappropriate for a mayor or for a governor to request and to work with their Congress, their congressmen, their congresswomen, to plug in to the federal budget along with every other state a share of the federal budget for infrastructure."

Oh-h-h, so that's what the kids are calling it these days.

In common Washington parlance, that is called an infrastructure earmark, a piece of the transportation and public works budget secured for specific state projects. [...]

Palin decried the abuse of the earmark process at first, pledging to join McCain in his campaign against earmarks. But Gibson pressed her hard to get her to concede that she backed the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," linking tiny Ketchikan to tiny Gravina Island.

She finally gave in.

"What I supported was a link between a community and it's airport," she said.

She'd make the bestest vice president ever! She's readier than anyone could be to take the reins of the U.S. government if Pappy McCain were to kick the bucket. The readiest nominee in town... if she were running for vice president of the 5th grade.

VIDEO Fact Check-- ABC: Palin lied about global warming record

By GottaLaff

"Show me where I have ever said that there's absolute proof that nothing that man has ever conducted or engaged in has had any effect -- or no effect -- on climate change," challenged Palin. "I have not said that. I have said that my belief is that there is a cyclical nature of our planet."

Tapper handily meets Palin's challenge by citing a December 2007 article in a Fairbanks newspaper in which she was quoted as saying, "I'm not an Al Gore, doom-and-gloom environmentalist blaming the changes in our climate on human activity."

In his ABC blog, Tapper further notes that as recently as this August 28, Palin told an interviewer, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made."

Alien thought to Republicans: Tell the truth, tell it often. And stop insulting us with so-called "challenges" when there are these newfangled things called videos, transcripts, and documents that easily prove how wrong you are via a simple click of the mouse.

The Sarah Palin reviews are in, Part Deux

By GottaLaff

Via the L.A. Times:

It was a fascinating and unsettling interview nonetheless, first and foremost because it's been nearly two weeks since Republican presidential nominee John McCain announced the Alaskan governor as his chosen running mate and these are the first non-scripted words the American people have heard from her.

For days now, the media has obligingly reacted as if J.D. Salinger had suddenly decided to break his decades-long silence. Caught up in an anticipatory frenzy usually reserved for damage-control celebrity sit-downs -- Paris Hilton on "Larry King," Tom Cruise on "Oprah"-- everyone seemed to forget that this is a vice presidential candidate, a public servant who should not be playing hard to get with reporters and whose main job it is to articulate the positions and policies of her ticket.[...]

Even Gibson acted as if he feared this might be the one shot the entire Fourth Estate gets, conducting what was essentially a high-level, high-pressure interview with a job candidate who quickly revealed that her skill set is heavy on can-do-attitude, and light on company policy comprehension. Appearing momentarily stricken by some of the almost professorially pointed policy questions -- and embarrassingly baffled by his reference to the Bush Doctrine -- the Alaskan governor never missed a beat, though in fine political style she managed avoid to more questions than she answered, or at least answered in a way that had little connection to the question. [...]

Still, the inevitable parsing and analysis of Palin’s answers and performance in this interview, however tempting, is almost beside the point. In this case, her actions, or non-actions, have spoken much louder than any words. She didn’t blink, she told Gibson, when McCain asked her to join his ticket. But she certainly blinked after. What sort of reform-minded politician waits two weeks before giving an interview?

Since when it is OK that the American people have to wait in breathless anticipation for its nominated candidates to speak to them en masse? Since when do we have to rely on a single interview, from a single source, to introduce us to a woman who claims she would be privileged to lead us?

In a world that is measured by milliseconds, a broken-up hour is too short to offer, a week is simply too long to wait. Such manipulation of a public moment is simple exploitation. If Palin was trying to prove that she’s just a sense-talkin’ hockey mom from Alaska, she couldn’t have gone about it in a more wrong-headed way.

There is still some sanity in the corporate media, and for that I am grateful.

VIDEO-- Palin on ABC: I didn't blink

By GottaLaff



This is a longer clip, about 10 minutes, that includes the "I didn't blink, Charlie" moment, reform, Charlie, and unfortunately, another look at the "my security credentials = energy" declaration, the Bush Doctrine blank-out , the Pakistan-blinkiness... and, yes! ::fanfare:: The ever popular "war may be necessary with Russia" quote.

PALIN: But.. but.. don't lose sight of the fact that... and Charlie I... because... And did you know, Charlie, that we can actually see Russia from Alaska? I'm ready to be president right now! I don't blink!

She believes that Russia was "unprovoked" when they invaded Georgia. This is someone running for vice president? She hasn't so much as learned that Georgia started this?

See how many non-answers you can find! It's a game the whole family can play!