The media often refers to itself as the fourth estate, whose purpose "is to act as a guardian of the public interest and as a watchdog on the activities of government." In a Drudge Report article titled, "ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE," dated June 16, 2009, the author reports that ABC joins the first estate, the executive branch, on June 24.
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:One day later, the Drudge Report updated the original article in, " UPDATE: ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL," dated June 17, 2009, the author reports that,
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.
ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint!Conservatives for Patients Rights requested the rates to buy a 60-second spot immediately preceding 'Prescription for America'.
The development comes a day after the network denied a request by the Republican National Committee to feature a representative of the party's views during the Obama special.
Some watchdog.
Posts
Because there has been such an outrage over the possibility that Obama's primetime special 'Questions for the President: Prescription for America' will be biased before it has even aired, it will reduce the possibility that it will be biased. ABC has the right to pick their audience and claims it will pick a diverse audience to give voice to questions and criticism. Based on ABC's past record of airing 3 to 1 supporters to critics for Obama's healthcare policies (http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090617160430.aspx), it seems unlikely they will pick a balanced audience. Possibly they will pick an unbiased audience, but it does seem strange ABC is not choosing a prominent Republican Party figure to balance Obama.
ReplyDeleteStudent - Candis Massingill
I had no idea that the Obamas health care was going on but however I did enjoy reading this article. I found it very interesting and appealing. I'm going to follow up on this topic and watch ABC on June 24th. I'm curious about if all voices are being heard or if ABC is opposing some thoughts and ideas.
ReplyDeleteYour student,
Kayla Harding
News has transformed into a new entitty from where it was in the past. whether it be CNN or foxnews to msnbc to ABC. the ownership and biases are looked at now more than ever- but you also see the changing in the news business, with the fall of the newspaper and more reliance on the internet to connect us to what is happening in the world..the problem in my opinion is that everyone has forgotten that these companies bottom lines are making money. social responsibility and fairness just isn't as big a part anymore.
ReplyDeleteStudent- Evan Barfield