charlie rose
GRITtv: The F Word: Olbermann Says There's No Deal
Keith Olbermann wrote to me apropos my F Word on Monday. Following news of a corporation-brokered truce between MSNBC and FOX, I'd written that while the two networks pose as divided - and play up social divides for ratings - they actually stand united when it comes to corporate profits. According to a New York Times report, General Electric, which owns MSNBC, reined in their host Keith Olbermann as part of a deal to call off Bill O'Reilly's questioning of GE's business. A notable example of corporate interests trumping ratings - several commentators thought - myself included. But Olbermann, while he doesn't deny there was a peacemaking summit of CEOs -- wrote to me Tuesday that there never was/is/nor shall be any deal. And on his first appearance after the Times story ran, he went after the Times and Bill O And Rupert Murdoch - CEO of Fox's corporate parent, News Corp.
Email this pageGRITtv: F Word: Corporate Unity at MSNBC and Fox?
There are days when one's reminded why one works in independent media. August 1st was one of those days, when the New York Times ran a front page media story that might as well have been headlined: GE and Fox Hush Hosts For Profits. The on-air feud was good for ratings. It wasn't even bad journalism, for these kind of programs. The feud wasn't bad for ratings, but it was perceived as a potential threat to other corporate interests. It's hard to fund and it's tempting to think there must be a better way. Wouldn't it be easier if some corporation paid the bills? Not exactly.
