News Roundup - Hour 1
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-10-22/news-roundup-hour-1
President Obama campaigns in western states to rally Democrats. A federal appeals court keeps the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy intact for now. And Toyota issues another massive recall. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
John Dickerson
chief political correspondent for Slate.com and CBS political analyst and contributor. Author of "On Her Trail: My Mother, Nancy Dickerson, TV News' First Woman Star."
Susan Page
Washington bureau chief for USA Today.
Naftali Bendavid
national correspondent, The Wall Street Journal; author of "The Thumpin': How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution."
News Roundup Video
The panelists address NPR's firing of Juan Williams following his comments about Muslims earlier this week on Fox News:
Comments
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Diane Rehm tries her very best to present a fair and balanced discussion? Non partisan? I think not! I daily hear mostly liberal guests on a soapbox on NPR after which the liberal interviewer agrees with everything they ranted about. It's ridiculous that anyone suggest NPR presents a balanced discussion. And I'm not even a conservative!!
I wonder what would Dan Schorr have to say about the Juan Williams matter?
If you're going to criticize Fox News, you need to cite specific examples of bias or misinformation. Criticizing it because you don't agree with it is of no value whatsoever.
Thanks for mentioning Helen Thomas in regards to the firing of J.W. She never should have been treated in that way, and I think no one said much because she was so "old" so instead of listening to what might be wisdom, she was dismissed as cranky! Also, everyone is terrified of being branded "anti-Israel," so no one defended her.
I do not trust any reporter who is active in FOX "news." FOX does not produce news that is in any way reputable, balanced, or fair. It is propaganda, highly unbalanced, misleading (on purpose), and vicious. I fully understand NPR's commitment to upholding its standards. That's what makes NPR worth listening to. The firing of Juan Williams could have been handled differently, perhaps, but his willingness to feed bigotry with the comment he made, regardless of the rest of his statement, shows where he truly is coming from. His willingness to jump onto the FOX bandwagon to the tune of $2 million reveals shallow journalistic principles. I've listened to Juan over the years and often learned from what he had to say. The moment I heard he had thrown his lot in with FOX was the moment I ceased to trust his reporting.
I'm responding to the caller that stated that Fox was balanced commentary and NPR is biased. This is an absurb statement. I try to listen to right wing stations to know what the fringe is thinking and NPR to get information that I can think about and decide for myself. I'm very tired of the claim that the "Media" is biased in favor of liberal views. Everywhere I turn the airwaves are dominated by conservative, even extreme commentators and shows. NPR is a bright and shining light in this era of media darkness. To say the DR Show is biased is so offensive I just had to write. The fact that the calller was able to get on the air, make his claim, and be treated respectfully proves my point. Try that on Limbaugh, Point of View or any other of the extremist shows and see what happens.
Are there any NPR analysts doing double-duty on MSNBC or CNN?
After 20 + yrs. as a NPR contributor, I will not be doing so any longer. The woman at the top of NPR is the one which should be fired. "Political correctness" has really gone to far. J. Williams should be able to say what his feelings are -- and they DO reflect many millions of Americans' similar feelings. It is a FACT and REALITY in America today. NPR should ask Muslims why they don't assimilate into the main culture in America. NPR should also look into who is funding CAIR. (But I'm sure they won't!)
I just wanted to add a comment for the panelists to consider. I heard just a moment ago a comment from a caller in Germany about Fox News presenting more balance than NPR. The gist of the comment to me seemed to be that Fox provides a more "representative" view on the news, I believe the caller referred to Fox being more along the lines of the "50%" of the country. This led me to want to ask your panelists whether there is a difference between "fair and accurate" reporting where you give a balanced view on the news stories themselves, and on "balanced" reporting, where you give a representative view on the public "perspective" about news. I would be interesting in hearing comments from Diane and the panelists on that topic. (quotations used in place of italics for emphasis)
This about the firing. And it works for any of the recent firings for what someone said.
More and more people who aren't PC are loosing their jobs and careers. Freedom of speech means you can say something even terribly offensive to almost everyone. If we allow corporations to ruin careers every time people working for them offend, we will have lost our rite to free speech. Free speech means saying something YOU don't like. It means you can safely say something that OFFENDS you and keep their job without fear. Loosen up people. Let others speak - even when what they say is dumb. Lets' say everyone can say 10 separate dumb things before their career is ruined.
Diane, why are making this about Fox news? This is about NPR's censorship. I always listened to and trusted NPR not anymore I am not even sure if I want to listen to NPR anymore. Balanced fair you can trust? When a journalist says something NPR doesn't agree that person gets fired? I don't want to have my thoughts and information restricted "censored" to a few of your people in charge. This is not what I supported throughout these years, this is not what I believed Public Radio was all about.
Diane, I'm a recent NPR "convert", however I continue to watch Fox and other news venues conservative and liberal. Regarding Juan Williams' firing, it just confirms the fact that liberals who pride themselves in tolerance are the most intolerant and judgemental group in the media today.
Here's why people are losing respect for you and NPR. When a caller was critical of your show for not being balanced, you cut her off. When another caller praised you for being so fair and balanced, you let her ramble on for several minutes. I'm a Democrat with slightly left of center views, but I have no desire to see a state run media inhibit the views of those with whom I disagree. This is a sad, sad day for NPR and your show.
your latest caller is a perfect example of why NPR was wrong to fire Juan Williams for this incident (by the way, it had been building for a while, and THAT I appreciate). There were reasons to fire Juan Williams, but simply based upon those statements, I think NPR has created a serious PR issue here. And your caller stating that "he couldn't stand listening to him because he was taking blood money from FOX" is just narrow minded and playing into people's opinion that NPR is one sided.
I agree, I will no longer be a member of my local NPR station.
The line between fact and commentary has been blurred by the "news" media. The news should consist of the reporting of facts. Facts are objective as they can either be proved or disproved. All else is commentary or opinion and should be considered entertainment. If this difference were adhered to by all news outlets and their programming was clearly identified as either news or commentary/opinion/entertainment the public would be much better informed and would be better able to distinguish between what is true and what is not.
Diane,
To address a comment by a recent caller, I recall reading a content analysis of NPR experts called on stories and more of them were Conservatives than Liberals (I read this in the past year). For example, on many legal issues the first person called is Doug Kimeck (sp.) at Pepperdine U. Law School. He's a well known Catholic Conservative who is often the 'first responder' on many legal issues. NPR goes to great lengths to present both sides of a story and let the listener make up his/her own mind. This should be lauded not criticized.
James Mulcrone, PhD
I agree. For example, Glenn Beck is a phenomenon. Even if you do not like him, or disagree with him, he deserves an interview on NPR because he is a best selling author, and a highly rated radio and TV host. He also has a fascinating life story, having overcome alcoholism, and his striving to learn history and economics in his later life. If it were a liberal person with his status, he's be featured for sure on Diane Rehm, or Terry Gross, or other NPR programs.
although truly sympathetic w your frustrations I'll continue to listen to npr (for a little while at least) with a healthy skepticism and a pragmatic filter in place while listening to their left-leaning viewpoint. I hope Mara Liaison's head isn't the next head on the chopping block. While liberal in her interpretation she will at least join in the dialog that now, in the absence of Juan Williams, is devoid of any open-minded viewpoint from the left.
I am a frequent listener to your program, and also listen to Rush, Sean and Fox TV news.
This morning I heard you describe attempts you make to create a balanced product on your show.
However, from the vantage point of many many samplings, please accept that the left wing bias in your offerings comes readily through.
I say this with a background of having once been an award winning journalist. You can dismiss my opinion out of hand. But there is no question in my mind of the leftward leaning bias of your show.
That is so true -- critics of Fox never seem to be able to point out "lies", but rather they give vague criticisms because in general, the Fox shows express conservative views which they don't like.
I didn't catch the show today, so I don't know what was said or not about Juan Williams. I do think it is really sad that NPR management cannot abide someone who crosses over the lines of the cultural battlefield to represent the Left's views on Fox, and it is quite understandable why Mr. Williams is genuinely hurt by how he was treated. But I have a more selfish concern here. Some time ago, Washington lost its only private classically music station, WGMS. In addition to occasionally listening to Diane's show, either recorded or live, I also enjoy WETA's repertoire and I think it would be a bad thing if this incident adversely impacted that station.
I am a loyal listener, and find Ms. Rehm's comment "no one stood up for Helen (Thomas)" to be atrocious.
It would be nice to live in a world of equivalences, where every slight or bad behavior were somehow different and should be viewed with indulgence and empathy. But that is not so. What happened to Juan Williams is the same justice that happened to Helen Thomas.
People in the media have a responsibility to set a standard of objectivity that is unquestionable. To say we are all human, NPR should have been more forgiving, more understanding is nice, and maybe they should have anticipated this firestorm and acted with more measured swiftness. We live in an age of reaction and overreaction but that doesn't give anyone a pass from accountability. Conservatives should understand this...just because Williams spoke of a broad based assumption and fear (all Muslims are terrorists?), does not make that a valid assumption or something to defend or accept from someone who is charged with being objective. (Oh, but it is FOX).
I participate in an interfaith group of Christains, Muslims and Jews. I would like to think that we stand up for each other: when one of us is slighted, we confront our own assumptions and think about our actions. How much greater the responsibility of every media talking head to examine their own discourse. I don't think Cronkite or Marrow would have tolerated such abuses as Thomas' or now, Williams'. Where is your core? This is just one more example of the erosion of civility and nobility in our news media.
Great comment!
The firing of Juan Williams is emblematic of how far journalism has deteriorated. There was once a time when we didn't know what the opinions of news casters and analysts were. Today, its the norm. I frankly don't care about the opinions of any of them and would like them to just report the FACTS for a change. I think NPR was wrong to allow Juan to spew his opinions in public anywhere, most esp. on FOX. When the discussion becomes about the right of reporters to have opinions, thats when we know there is a serious problem with our media. Shame on Juan for not having a higher standard for himself.
It really doesn't matter if it is TRUE, just look at the comments on this website. It is PERCIEVED that it is true because of the way that NPR handled it. Whether you like it or not, to rely on public support, you need to manage your interaction with the public. The fallout will show over the next few weeks. I myself have been a long time supporter of NPR, was no fan of Juan Williams and really despise Bill O'Reilly. But the way that NPR handled this was inappropriate. REALLY inappropriate. And to ignore the fallout (which was bound to happen) by flat out declaring that they are right and the people who are concerned about this are wrong supports the opinion that NPR consists of elitists who do not want to include others in their inner circle. Say what you want, but if you alienate your supporters, you will pay the price and hand ammunition to your detractors.
FOX does not produce news that is in any way reputable, balanced, or fair. It is propaganda
the truth is most 'news commentary' is slanted to reflect the individual commentator's viewpoint:
Strident Right = Limbaugh, Hannity
Strident Left = Olberman, Maddow
Right = O'Reilly
Left = Matthews
Center Right = Scarborough
Center Left = (doesn't exist)
What I see is another attempt of the rightwingers vilifying the left by saying NPR is leftist. They obviously don't listen to NPR to know that they are always fair and balanced with smart programing and discussions unlike the fearmongering Faux News.
I think NPR handled the firing of Juan Williams badly, but I also believe he is no loss. Over the past several years Williams' contributions have become increasingly arrogant, shallow and combative without being particularly helpful to our understanding of issues.
Our political dialogue has been dragged so far to the right that much of it has become nonsensical. We have a faction in this country that embraces ignorance. It dismisses the search for knowledge and the willingness to dissent as unpatriotic and (my least favorite word!) "elitist." I don't think we should give in to people who cling to ignorance. On the contrary, they should be challenged at every opportunity. NPR offers that opportunity -- no wonder they wish it gone!
NPR is far from perfect (and probably needs a management change) but it does a pretty good job of accommodating all points of view without embracing them. Public radio should probably find a way to detach itself from Congressional support and go to truly public support. It already has that public support and the potential for much more. Only top management problems (and questions about freedom from political pressure) have kept many from being more generous. Maybe not coincidentally, our local affiliate has the same management,if not political, problem.
These are tough issues and they're cropping up at a time of too many tough issues! At this point I'd be satisfied with a pledge from NPR to treat its staff with more dignity. Two very different people -- Juan Williams and Bob Edwards -- were treated inhumanely. Others like myself may be relieved that Williams is gone, but neither Edwards nor Williams deserved the kind of treatment they were accorded by NPR.
Ms. Rehm has long bemoaned the increasing partisan and polarized nature of discourse in the American public sphere. Liberals listen to mainly liberal media, and conservatives listen to mainly conservative media, and there is very little crosstalk. People are increasingly not confronted with views that they disagree with or are uncomfortable with.
The termination of Juan Williams is a prime example of this.
I think it was a very very very bad idea, and I suspect that NPR will regret this action in days to come.
With Bush gone, the latest malady among leftists is FDR: Fox Derangement Syndrome. Can there not be ONE conservative station on cable news coexisting with the liberal slant of the mainstream networks, MSNBC, NPR, PBS, NY Times, Time, Newsweek, Washington Post, etc? Aren't those disproportionate numbers enough?