Deepening Troubles for the Murdoch Empire
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-07-19/deepening-troubles-murdoch-empire
Britain's phone-hacking story is rapidly evolving. At the center are charges News Corp. reporters in the Murdoch media empire broke laws to scoop the competition. It's not clear who knew what, but the widening scandal has shut down Britain's most-popular tabloid - News of the World – and toppled top executives and police officials. Britain's prime minister called an emergency session of parliament to hear testimony today from Rupert Murdoch and other News Corp. executives. And here in the United States, the FBI is investigating allegations Murdoch reporters sought a way to hack into the phones of relatives of 9/11 victims. Guest host Steve Roberts talks with media experts about the ongoing investigation into News Corp. and the implications for Murdoch's U.S. holdings.
Guests
Clive Crook
Washington commentator, Financial Times; senior editor, Atlantic Monthly.
Tom Rosenstiel
director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism.
James O'Shea
former editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times; former managing editor of the Chicago Tribune; author of a new book, "The Deal from Hell."
David Folkenflik
media correspondent at NPR News.
Comments
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Like many Americans I've been following the News Corp hacking scandal with amazement, indignation and outrage these last couple of weeks.
Now more than even I am so grateful for the role that Public radio plays every day in informing us, without having to bow to a global conglomerate such as News Corp. Most major newspapers and cable channels are owned by mega corporations, whose interests might be compromised when reporting the news.
If you still needed a good reason to support your NPR station here it is!!!
Iris Pereyra-Miramar, FL
I am just trying to time my stock buy in News Corp. This is just a minor set back for a real first class and innovative operation. Imagine if this was the United States government in a similar situation? you would be told it was a national security issue and you would forget about it the next day. The "evil" corporation always ends up being more accountable than the government. If you still needed a good reason to end government support for your NPR station here it is!!!
drew, if I didn't think NPR was pushing a liberal agenda particularly this show I might have found some agreement in what you say below. Fox news is beat up on this show all the time. I watch Fox news everyday their debate panels are just as biased as the ones you find on this show except in opposite directions. But one big difference FOX never claims it is not biased, this show does and it accepts public tax payer funding!
As for saying something positive I cannot remember you saying anything that would be considered positive or"fair and Balanced". The road to ruin is paved with good intentions, so please enough of that nonsense. Iris up there sure sounds to me like she's pushing an agenda. But I did not "jump" on her in the least.
My full page ad! I think that was a positive, there was a lot of good information in there for anyone who seriously ponders these things.
Python:
If you don’t support the service public radio provides, and you think infotainment “news” propaganda is such a useful and viable news source why ain’t you there? Why instead are you here taking out full page ads out on what you think the country’s worst 2 dilemmas are: 1) not enough guns (murder rate not quite high enough for you compared to all other developed nations?) and 2) America is full of lazy people whose only purpose is to sponge off the wise and compassionate wealthy.
Anybody who has visited this comment page more than couple times knows this.
Instead of jumping on every new person who decides to post a well-intentioned viewpoint, why don’t you surprise us all one day-
Say something positive.
Good thing Britain has citizen tax-funded BBC, because if they didn’t, it’s unlikely this scandal would be getting near the attention it is.
I see they managed to “kill the messenger” (whistleblower)- that should send fair warning to those with enough bravado to speak truth to power.
So far, much ado about nothing. We've learned the media has cosy relations with politicians and law enforcement generally for the purpose of scooping their competitors. I believe Murdoch has enough plausible deniability to remain above this fray, afterall he is much too busy fixing elections in Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, the US, Russia, India, Taiwan as well as doing several Simpson character voices.
Once we clear up whether there is any criminal exposure here, and hopefully that process will be apolitical, the real judgment will come from shareholders as it should.
So much phony outrage over this. Why are we paying so much attention to some lame tabloid blab-rag's legal troubles when this country is bankrupt, 10 percent unemployment, 15 percent of Americans on food stamps, rapid inflation of the dollar, endless wars in the middle east, etc.... etc....
I think this is reflective of America's dumbing-down, selective outrage, and attention deficit disorder.
I notice that the people that are feigning the most outrage over this, tend to be the basement-dwelling, warcraft playing, jon Stewart worshipping, mouth breathers that want their opinions spoon fed to them, rather than making the effort to become self-informed (let alone self-reliant).
What this all boils down to is this loose, vague, circumstantial connection to Fox news, the "mouthpiece" of the republican party. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why this non-issue is being so rabidly covered and reported on by shows like this.
Americans do not seem to understand the issues involved here. This isn't simply a case of wrong-doing in Great Britain or media competitors making a mountain out of a mole hill. News Corp. and at least some of its executives have been breaking U.S. law for quite some time. See the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
This is a free-democracy which is based on the rule of law and it appears that an international criminal association has slowly been buying television, radio and newspaper companies in the U.S. and around the world. It may simply be to make money- but breaking the law is still breaking the law. I do not believe that a criminal cabal should be able to control large portions of the American media- airwaves owned by the American people for our benefit.
The FCPA does not require that Murdoch or any of his executives actually hands a bribe to anyone- all it requires is that proof be shown that a person knew his/her underling (employees) were engaged in actively corrupting government officials. I think there can be no doubt that people very high up in the News Corp. corporate structure were aware that the corruption of politicians and policeman was occurring.
The only questions left now are the following: Will the FCC do anything? Will the Justice Department do anything? Are we a nation of laws and their equal application to all or are we a nation based on the idea that he ;who has the gold makes the rules'?
Sadly for all of us I do not think anything will happen.
Therein lies the problem. Within the first minutes of the program Steve has to deliver a disclaimer as the host of the program because one of Murdoch's properties publishes his books. That is the toxicity of media concentration. How can anybody trust reporting on any subject when somewhere down the line, everyone works for the same corporation? A lot of very smart people warned us about this for years as it was happening. I find this pitiful.
The second largest investor of News Corp. is a Saudi royal Prince. Does anyone really want a large number of our citizens to get their only political information from a Saudi royal Prince? A Saudi- from the same country as most of the 9/11 terrorists? Saudi Arabia where money is raised to pay for suicide bombers? Saudi Arabia where schools teach their children to hate America? Saudi Arabia where our country is referred to as 'the Great Satan'?
Sure it is o.k. for conservative televangelists to call this country evil, or an entire political party to want to destroy our government, but I do not want a foreign country- especially Saudi Arabia- to have any control over our media.
I believe FOX is insidious, I'm Canadian and I'm glad that we don't have a propaganda and misinformation machine the way the U.S. has. His warped influence is too great in America esp. when one man can buy and hire all the politicians that preach his message.
Any student of communications understands how concentration of media can affect the proper functioning of a vibrant democracy. Yet, in the United States, where money = power & influence, there are a few media companies that have been allowed to own and operate the primary media outlets. News Corp and Comcast are at the top of that list.
David Folkenflik, media correspondent for National Public Radio, showed his NPR credentials today before he even appeared on The DR Show. Folkenflik didn't allow facts to get in the way of his anti-Murdock bias when he mischaracterized CNN's Pierce Morgan's handling of the Murdock scandal on his Monday show.
Folkenflik mentioned how Morgan supported Murdock, as did another former employee Morgan had on his show. However, what Folkenflik didn't bother to mention is that Morgan had on four panelists who battered Murdock like he was a VW piñata. Why this omission? Well, that's just how NPR rolls.
Folkenflik also couldn't resist a dig at Morgan for having on Nancy Grace to talk about the Casey Anthony trial. According to Folkenflik, talking about Casey Anthony was a perfect example of Morgan's devotion to "tabloid journalism." Hey David, even Diane Rehm spent a couple minutes talking about Casey Anthony on her show last week.
I am amazed at the ignorance of British commentators such as Clive Crook, Katty Kay and Matt Frei about US politics. The Republicans and their allies will have no problem raising enough money to compete with the Democrats, they may even raise more than them with the likes of the Koch Brothers and Mitt Romney.
This idea that we have a healthy media here is laughable to me and mainly because Fox News is simply echoing the talking points of the Republican party which then echos throughout the media. Further our entire media seems more interested in conventional wisdom than critical thinking.
Riccch wrote:
"Therein lies the problem. Within the first minutes of the program Steve has to deliver a disclaimer as the host of the program because one of Murdoch's properties publishes his books. That is the toxicity of media concentration. How can anybody trust reporting on any subject when somewhere down the line, everyone works for the same corporation? A lot of very smart people warned us about this for years as it was happening. I find this pitiful."
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Apparently these "smart" people, as well as yourself, fail to comprehend that Murdock, the liberals favorite bogeyman, supports liberal authors as well as conservative ones. The inhumanity of it all!
DavidBaltimore wrote:
"This idea that we have a healthy media here is laughable to me and mainly because Fox News is simply echoing the talking points of the Republican party which then echos throughout the media. Further our entire media seems more interested in conventional wisdom than critical thinking."
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Other than Hannity, who at FOX News is a water carrier for the Republican Party? Are you at all miffed that MSNBC is the Barack channel?
BTW: The consumers of media are supposed to do the critical thinking. That is it is for people who don't rely on the media to do their thinking for them. But I guess that is why you love NPR. It does all the work for you.
Mr. Murdoch needs to remember the quote from Lord Acton," Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. " His power base did not come without strings. That much power means one must constantly monitor to avoid the corruption that accompanies it; obviously this was not done. This power blinds the user to the possibility that he/she may be found liable for this abuse of power.
Mr. Murdoch needs to remember the quote from Lord Acton," Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. " His power base did not come without strings. That much power means one must constantly monitor to avoid the corruption that accompanies it; obviously this was not done. This power blinds the user to the possibility that he/she may be found liable for this abuse of power.
Please larger icon for adding comment. Me browser lost in the the trees... looking for the forest.
First(usually) 'monte' appears troll-like. Whether in live theatre
or tv(different name for 'troll') or internet this is a paid or volunteer placement to generate conflict/ comment/ sales(always about the money remember).
For prophet(tee-hee), for God, or for the lolz(they ARE crunchy and taste of chicken).
Respect a good 'spinner' or lobbyist or politician or semi-troll or
fisherperson or damned liar(but I repeat myself(thx Sam).
Why we do not respect FOX is the blatant clumsy easily proved false(facts?, i don need no fax(a magically xmtd piece of paper)
statements simply trying to be trollish but only appearing vapid and worserest- stupid.
Worserester(copyright pending) of all is that a sizeable segment of US believe they are speaking the truth.
And also believe a sizeable portion of the budget goes to foreign aid(really when we do not even feed our own population you think we REALLY spending/ sending money/food)...
But reality is really depressing(not even recessing?) and doesn't sell or distract so no ROI(return on investment) or in
Newyorkese- 'if you' don like my attitude 'bleep you' ' which is universely an accepted response.
Thank you.
Psssst buddy got a job/ cup of coffee/ do the sheriff beat you here?/ cigarette for a disabled homeless American veteran bum welfarer(was a Rep but no longer broken)?
Apologies- film at 11- we now return you to your 'normal' programing.
As a US citizen I take fault with your guest's comments on American's general ignorance of "News of the World", Norman Fowler and world news in general.
I am one of many growing Americans that are willing to cut the media cord. I don't watch CNN, Fox or any other news outlet for any of my news. I don't watch television. My content is exclusively via streaming content.
My news resources for news is NPR, Google News, BBC News and AJE (Al Jazeera English).
I am insulted at his ignorance.
Found it- thanks for the dreab(sic) crumbs.
My short and to the point(semi-always) is that
(preempted to preserve your safety) and that would fix it.
Now I must go find this 'show' that people are commenting on... we hear(semi-anonymously) that 'show' does good work and should be commended. Others declare 'show' and its illegitamite(sic-kem) offspring are an evil liberal propaganda
ploy.
Either way, we say, 'bravo'. And most Americans as well should be committed(we first we need the dwelling space).
Or as the NYese say...
Excellent, always preferable to have 'two' news sources, filtered by the 'one' CDN(CND? DNC? CMD?- darn friggin acroynms- left gov/mil service when ancronyms of acroynms of acronyms deployed and we surrendered) delivery system.
We pray that the illegal alien religious zealot in the White House
succeeds and does not fail(as surely only aliens can save you now) as a service/consumer society fails when there is no money for either.
Thank god for our survival training and weapons. How are you doing?
Careful- some of our points are sharp. The rest are zzzzz nnn zzz...
On world news- South Sudan is a conspiracy by globe and atlas manufacturers.
cicero,
It is possible for people to dislike both Fox News and MSNBC. Some people have a problem with 'news' which is actually just a mouth piece for a political party. I think it is fair to say that at least some of the people (myself included) dislike Fox and MSNBC. They are using the public airwaves- the property of the people of the United States and they are supposed to have the public interest in mind.
I think the problem here is the blatant illegality of some of the things that took place at News of the World- not necessarily the message but the way the information was gathered. Look into the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act- the crimes in Great Britain are, in this case, also US crimes.
I think comparing NPR/PBS with Fox or MSNBC is not sensible. I don't really understand your problem with this show- you don't come off as the most informed person in the world.... I don't know why you listen to NPR and I think it is safe to say that neither of us know why David from Baltimore does.
Ap00logies:
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this transmission and the above posts/vmail/email/newmail/snailmail (including any attachments/cookies/viruses/sales/NS/MI/widgets/objects/belly lint) may contain confidential information/DNA/old pizza, privileged material (including material protected by the attorney-client or other applicable privileges such as its OUR pizza), or constitutes non-public information(even when shared). Any use of this information by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited and should not be read or remembered. If you have received/read/ or remembered this transmission in error, please immediately reply to the sender and delete this information from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, insemenation or reproduction of this transmission by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful and may result in unintended consequences. And no one will be able to help you if we catch you. Or be able to find the leftover 'hacked' pieces.
Sorry the new laws and all... we try to semi-obey.
Two answer four question.
A. David is unemployed(those employed are TOO busy doing their job and one or two others to comment).
2. We included(and we had 'data' left and did not want our time spoiled and went for others tyme instead. Cannot wait for continual downgrade of comm systems and data 'caps'.
or 4. 'his' job is too comment/troll etc...
Nothing wrong with a little 'shaping'. If a owned person(paid lobbyists/ succubus etc) can try to sell something and really believe it fine(caveat emptor or the American way)... the annoyance is in the ones that look/sound like even they aren't buying it.
Yup- need more jobs to get people off their Apples and arses(save YOU from US). Good shaping and distracting though- did not even notice the hunger pains until now.
Next month- buy food or keep internet... would sell PC(or body- or yours now) but no one wants this olde brainiac... sniff?
Exgovernmentsociopathneedswork. A work in progress for sure... having sold mind and body the soul is now up for bids- do I hear a cup of coffee?
J O B S please (oh and the whole people thingy would be nice too).
WillT26 wrote:
cicero,
"It is possible for people to dislike both Fox News and MSNBC. Some people have a problem with 'news' which is actually just a mouth piece for a political party. I think it is fair to say that at least some of the people (myself included) dislike Fox and MSNBC. They are using the public airwaves- the property of the people of the United States and they are supposed to have the public interest in mind."
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David Corn and Elanore Clift are mouth pieces for liberals. Are you outraged that Diane Rehm gives them time on her Friday News Round Up? After all, they are using publicly supported airwaves for promoting their liberal agenda.
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WillT26 wrote:
"I think comparing NPR/PBS with Fox or MSNBC is not sensible. I don't really understand your problem with this show- you don't come off as the most informed person in the world.... I don't know why you listen to NPR and I think it is safe to say that neither of us know why David from Baltimore does.
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Well, if you were pressed as to the ideology that NPR
promotes, would you say they are neutral? Since all shows at NPR are hosted by liberals, that wouldn't be quite true, would it? I understand that the notion of actually knowing the content of a media outlet before commenting on their inherent bias strikes you as odd, but that is why I listen to NPR and you don't watch FOX news.
David from Baltimore makes it clear what he does and does not do.
cicero,
I don't know anything about David Corn and Elanore Clift. I certainly don't know how they vote or if they are even registered as a member of either political party. Things are not always as black and white as you think.
No I am not outraged. It is a radio program- like you wrote earlier people are free to judge sources and statements. I don't find NPR particularly liberal or conservative. I would, not even being pressed, say that NPR/PBS is at least attempting to be neutral. I have no idea if all of the hosts are liberals- or even democrats. Frankly I don't care. I appreciate the nuance that NPR brings to a topic- an hour long program on a single issue instead of the infotainment found on the networks. I am just going to have to disagree with you on some of these points.
Finally it is perfectly ok to disagree on these things but claiming to know the motives of another person, without knowing them at all, is not beneficial for anyone- it is arrogant. I don't know why you are the way you are (and I don't care) but I find it offensive that you think you can bully people.
cicero, lots of good comments and comebacks. Especially liked the pointing of the ultra liberal Steve Roberts liberal fish wrap books being published by one of Murdoch's companies.
James O'Shea objects to FOX News having former politicians as political pundits and hosts, while none of them are news anchors. Does James even object to ABC News having George Stephanopoulos, former Clinton White House Communications Director, as a news anchor?
WillT26 wrote:
"don't know anything about David Corn and Elanore Clift. I certainly don't know how they vote or if they are even registered as a member of either political party. Things are not always as black and white as you think."
Your joking, right?
WillT26 wrote:
cicero,
"I don't know anything about David Corn and Elanore Clift. I certainly don't know how they vote or if they are even registered as a member of either political party. Things are not always as black and white as you think."
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Don't blame me if you are ignorant about C&C's self proclaimed affinity for liberal politics. As far as who are the liberals on NPR, it is actually as clear as mother's milk, if not black and white.
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WillT26 wrote
"No I am not outraged. It is a radio program- like you wrote earlier people are free to judge sources and statements. I don't find NPR particularly liberal or conservative. I would, not even being pressed, say that NPR/PBS is at least attempting to be neutral. I have no idea if all of the hosts are liberals- or even democrats. Frankly I don't care. I appreciate the nuance that NPR brings to a topic- an hour long program on a single issue instead of the infotainment found on the networks. I am just going to have to disagree with you on some of these points."
_________________________________________________
Since NPR only has liberal hosts, they would have to attempt to be neutral since it would not come naturally. Why do you care if FOX News has a conservative bias when all other national TV news and cable news outlets have a liberal bias? Where else in the broadcast media can conservatives get news that isn't first processed through a liberal prism? Why are liberals threatened by one cable news outlet? After all, it is just a cable programming.