ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.

The Director of Communications at the White House Office of Health Reform is Linda Douglass, who worked as a reporter for ABC News from 1998-2006.

Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:

Dear Mr. Westin:

As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.

Respectfully,

Ken McKay

Republican National Committee

Chief of Staff

MORE

ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':

"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.

"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience."

Developing...

http://drudgereport.com/flashaot.htm

[GaryC 7]

So now Obama has a news outlet. Why not? Just add it to the growing collection of private companies the government controls.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The liberal press' need to look unprejudiced and in total support of the "First Black President" is cloying and unproductive. They will end up destroying what they intend to preserve.

[Ban Hammer 13,403]

So now Obama has a news outlet. Why not? Just add it to the growing collection of private companies the government controls.

we'd still be hearing it if bush used a news agency like this to further his agenda on iraq.

[Mark&Steph 0]

I was kind of worried there for a second until I realized it was just for one night.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

I was kind of worried there for a second until I realized it was just for one night.

You need to be very worried. This is not a republican or democrat issue. The media is supposed to be the watch dog for the people. The watch dog died.

What happened to the days when the media would question everything our elected officials did? If they could find wrong doing with either a conservative or liberal they would report it.

They were always after the big scoop. Not anymore.

Edited June 17, 2009 by cyclops10

[Peikko 1,575]

It is an accusation. The accusation was refuted. Does anyone know the actual facts?

[AlHayatZween 2]

I was kind of worried there for a second until I realized it was just for one night.

You need to be very worried. This is not a republican or democrat issue. The media is supposed to be the watch dog for the people. The watch dog died.

What happened to the days when the media would question everything our elected officials did? If they could find wrong doing with either a conservative or liberal they would report it.

They were always after the big scoop. Not anymore.

The watch dog has been dead for a long time, since the sellling of the Iraq War to the public. i can't really remember much before that... but maybe someone else here can attest. If you want unbiased news, you might have to search out a good newspaper, but even those are few and far between.

[Peikko 1,575]

Which brings me to my experience with newspaper delivery here...

[Peikko 1,575]

The reality is though, that all the network media are biased toward making a profit for their company (don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with turning a buck) which appears to translate to producing garbage programs that are labeled news, but which are in fact more like 'celebrity gossip' shows.

Where are the in depth and meaty interviews? Since when is asking 'what papers do you read'? a reasonable question to ask a politician? Seriously, #######? The media is failing as a government watchdog to be sure, but it's not because it's sold out to the liberal agenda. I find that idea laughable to be honest. Typical but incredibly funny to see those particular accusations.

Until you address the real issue, how to present news as entertainment without resorting to dumbing down to the lowest common denominator and sound bites, there will be no resolution to this. We need to demand more by taking the only action that will send the right message, don't watch until they provide decent coverage.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Yes, agreed. i don't think they've sold out to a liberal agenda, but more like to sensationalism.

And the watching public is partly to blame, too. We believe whatever is put in front of us... and it has to be quick, quirky, and exciting, so we can then turn the channel and watch the likes of Jon & Kate +8 or some other #######.

[almaty 19]

lol..at the sorry azz bitter right wingers...bush had an outlet as does the GOP..Fox News

[AlHayatZween 2]

They should just schedule their own counter-offensive on Fox News at the same time, and Fox News should volunteer to air it for free.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president.

Really, I doubt it

[ready4ONE 5,400]

lol..at the sorry azz bitter right wingers...bush had an outlet as does the GOP..Fox News

Truth kills!