more on CNBC censors DNC

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Meeks, Brock (MSNBCi)" <Brock.Meeks () MSNBC COM>
Date: August 2, 2004 10:27:33 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: RE: [IP] CNBC censors DNC

Okay, let's just take a deep breath and back slowly away from creeping 
conspiracy that the "anti-choice conservative networks" are all 
participating in a massive [government sponsored!!?] experiment in 
"GroupThink(tm)."

First of all realize that Bill Maher isn't exactly Jon Stewart when it 
comes to news and on-point factual information, if for no other reason 
that he calls CNBC a "network."  It's not; it's part of cable, just as 
C-SPAN is part of cable. 

 Next, realize that the networks carried a miniscule amount of the 
convention at all and the coverage they did show was a slave to 
commercial breaks, for crying out loud (this was why many pundits said 
Sen. Kerry seemed to be "rushing" his speech... he only had X number of 
minutes or the networks would have cut him off, too.)

Third, cable outlets, especially news outlets (like CNN, MSNBC and 
CNBC), are notoriously handcuffed to what the biz calls "the hard 
break."  These are programmed breaks that will cut off a star 
anchorperson unceremoniously in mid-sentence if they don't' stop 
talking.  I've been on TV plenty of times taking about this or that 
story only to have a producer yelling "WRAP!  WRAP!" in my ear, 
meaning, "shut your mouth and stop yakking immediately because we're 
out of time!"

So, this "limit of choice" turns out to be much more mundane (but no 
less crass) than some "anti-choice" theory.    If any choice is being 
made... it's being made in favor of revenue over content.

--Brock

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/