“scripted” Iraq teleconference…
TVNewser asks:
More importantly, did Fox News Channel or MSNBC tell viewers that the teleconference appeared to follow a script? Could someone check the segments on Tivo or consult a transcript?
I’m going from memory here and would have to check the ReplayTV when I get home but I was watching MSNBC when they dumped from it and I’d swear MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing suggested that the thing appeared staged/scripted. I don’t know if FNC mentioned it. Johnny?
fox news let their viewers know as well. Hume said it wasn’t spontaneous and their WH guy said only one segment wasn’t rehearsed. He also talked about the rehearsal of answers, and said some said it was just a photo-opportunity for Bush. I immediately turned off the TV, mad as hell and in disgust that this White House faked a teleconference.
Comment by Lakiesha — October 14, 2005 @ 11:37 am
FNC was all over this, both during Special Report and then leading off the Fox Report. I’m actually sending TVN a clip of the coverage. He asks this Big Question with a tone that suggests MSNBC and FOX might not tell viewers about the staging. How hard can it be to find out first and then write the story?
Comment by johnny dollar — October 14, 2005 @ 11:39 am
Why does this blog only repeat what other blogs report on? There is no original work out here. Is it too much to expect that this blog will actually check out some transcripts, TIVO, or maybe a source or two before just repeating what other blogs report? No ratings, nasty comments and no original work. I’m gone.
Comment by Ted — October 14, 2005 @ 12:41 pm
TVnewser is disputing your claim Spud and Johnny Dollar’s but since he is on his high horse I’m sure he knew all along that it was staged (note the sarcasm).
Comment by bravesfan — October 14, 2005 @ 4:31 pm
I think the dispute is whether FNC and MSNBC told viewers BEFORE HAND it was a rehearsed teleconference. CNN did, why not FNC and MSNBC? Once again all the fnc cult members come out screaming asking why everybody is against them. Geez people settle down and take some prozac.
Comment by Anonymous — October 14, 2005 @ 4:40 pm
I hope you are not referring to me as a “fnc cult member” because I can count on one hand the number of times I have watched fox news.
Comment by bravesfan — October 14, 2005 @ 4:53 pm
It appears like TVNewser is trying to have it both ways. His original question is listed above and makes no reference to time…only whether it was staged. Now he decides time matters. Either his original question was poorly worded or he’s changing his story. I suspect it’s the former and not the latter. In any case I was responding to his original question.
The truth is the media has gotten suckered numerous times over the past few years by supposedly major Presidential speech events that weren’t. So what happened yesterday was just par for the course if you ask me. In reality it shouldn’t have been aired at all because it wasn’t news. On that point I agree with TVNewser completely.
Comment by Spud — October 14, 2005 @ 6:41 pm
I had the news on as I was getting ready yesterday morning and learned about it on fox before I left the house, which was just before 8:30 am, pacific time.
Comment by Staycee — October 14, 2005 @ 7:39 pm
The event started before 7 am PST…..
Comment by Spud — October 14, 2005 @ 8:31 pm
One wonders if there were such a firestorm over the stage managed Normandy Beach cross in 1994…
Comment by HH — October 14, 2005 @ 11:59 pm