Dems, networks struggle over convention coverage

Source: Associated Press

by David Bauder, AP Television Writer

>>>>NEW YORK- National political conventions have become, in NBC's Brian Williams's words, "four-day infomercials." But it's not always clear the message is getting through.

The tension between convention planners and television news organizations who don't want to be seen as doing the politicians' bidding was obvious Monday during the first night of the Democratic meeting that will nominate Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for president.

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was addressing the convention, drawing a contrast between Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Fox News Channel's Bill O' Reilly was in a booth far above the delegates interviewing a pollster. O'Reilly waved in the direction of Pelosi on stage with a dismissive hand.

"Now we have Nancy Pelosi bloviating, and I say that in an affectionate way, behind us," O'Reilly said. "It doesn't seem like the crowd is on the edge of their seats.">>>>>


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080826/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_tv_s_filter

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It's unfortunate how much of the convention speeches end up getting ignored in order to air the "bloviating" of talking heads like O'Really. The article points out how some commentators criticized the Democrats for not contrasting Obama and McCain enough last night, but notes that some of the more "critical" comments weren't aired by networks anyway.

(Oh yeah, and did you notice the "Michelle O'Bama" towards the end of the article? I thought that was kind of funny.)

they'd complain about that too. Don't you know he useta be a Prisoner of War?

They gave up on true journalism during the Reagan years. They only know how to make republicons look good at the expense of Democrats.

I'm so sick and tired of their BS. They lie, they manipulate they spread propaganda. They fail to report real news. They are just a waste of time.

enough is enough...

Bill O'Reilly and I actually agree on something. Nancy needed to be relegated to a dark corner somewhere.

are SO much better at serving the common good. :eyes:

their candidates via the primary/caucus route. When the conventions quit being the place where the candidates were actually chosen and just became four-day "aren't we just super" fests, I can understand the media's consternation. Hardly any "news" happens here anymore.

That's why the media loves talking up stories of potential unrest outside the convention halls or trying to gin up interest in a floor fight. If the conventions go off just as the planners have designed, then what?

I'm not saying don't televise the conventions. I'm just saying don't be all shocked and outraged when people like Brian Williams says stuff like that. From the media's perspective, he's right.

AP and the TV giants are biased big time in favor of Republicans because the Republicans want to overthrow the rules that allow them to own all the media in one locality.

To say that TV giants want to increase viewership is secondary to their desire to keep getting more and more propaganda power in the hands of the very few.

Last night, I did hear the speech of the mayor of Denver on CSPAN -- where I went to get away from Chris Matthews bloviating on MSNBC.

Of course, going to Faux News for convention coverage is like going to the garbage bins behind a fine restaurant in order to dine out.

the elected political leaders and the message they're trying to send to the American People.

The corporate media either deride the leaders or the message, what they don't do is just let the leaders communicate the message while giving the American People the benefit of the doubt in analyzing it.

I imagine one day the corporate media will want to pre-chew our food for us, but when they do I trust they will poison that as well.

Thanks for the thread, last_texas_dem.

How do you accuse someone of "bloviating" in an affectionate way, exactly?

Obama. So the netowrks show the talking heads talking about problems and division, instead of showing the speakers who are talking about Obama. PBS did a great job of showing all the speeches and letting the talking heads speak only before the start, during lulls and after the end. I recommend it. Besides, Obama wants a boycott of networks running the Ayers ads.

"television news organizations who don't want to be seen as doing the politicians' bidding"

here, I fixed it: "television news organizations who don't want to be seen as doing the Democrats' bidding"


also see this neat and clean shredding of media concern-troll quacking about made-up divisions in the party:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x379112

I'm watching on C-Span only with maybe an occasional break to listen to the Young Turks coverage and commentary online.