Activism- Fight back against Newsweek's Limbaugh Lies

SayNotoNewsweek ^ | October 20, 2003

[SayNotoNewsweek]

I am a political conservative, and a Rush Limbaugh supporter.

I know that the media and it's members have their own biases, but I was stunned to read Newsweek's cover story on Rush Limbaugh in the October 20th issue. It lacks even a suggestion of fairness, balance, or even decency to a man in rehab and unable to respond.

I was moved to write the following email to Richard Smith, the editor in Chief of Newsweek, at rsmith@newsweek.com. I also faxed it to him at (212) 445-4120.

If you feel the same way I feel, it might be worth a few minutes of your time to tell Newsweek that fairness matters...

If you are a subscriber, Say No to your Newsweek subscription.

If you are a casual buyer at the newstand, Say No to Newsweek at the store or newsstand where you obtain them.

If you just believe in fair play, Say No to Newsweek until they clean up their reporting.

Say No to Newsweek! Rsmith@newsweek.com, or fax (212)445-4120.

After you respond to Newsweek, please post a comment or a e-prop below. While you do have to register, you don't have to leave any personal information (any email address is fine).

------------------------------------------------------------

My Letter:

TO: Richard Smith, Editor in Chief (RSmith@Newsweek.com)

FROM: Say No to Newsweek

RE: Your unfair and inaccurate reporting...

Newsweek's (October 20th) stories on Rush Limbaugh must be an all time low, not only for your magazine, but for all newsweeklies. I used to look to Newsweek for balanced coverage of the World, not hatchet job opinion pieces pretending to be reporting.

Rush Limbaugh has played fair with his listeners, by telling them the truth. You may not like him, but it hard to argue that he did anything other but take the high road when faced with media reports of his addiction. Now, he is in rehab, and you intentionally chose this moment to publish a pack of mean-spirited and recycled rumors of dubious credibility... when he can't even respond. Unfair.

Did calling him a "schlub" advance the truth in your stories? You had time to get a quote from Al Franken, but where was your quote (even one!) from a conservative, or any of Rush's defenders? Unfair.

In the entire group of articles, there was no balance to your accusations, just Alter's "kick him in the head while he's down" smears and smarmy insults. Unfair.

Newsweek clearly has decided that my readership is no longer desired, so I won't bother you again. I don't think many of the other conservatives in this country will either, or even liberals who believe in fair play.

Cancel my subscription. Refund my money. Not a nickel in my pocket will go to any of your publications until you balance your scandal sheet reporting with facts again.

Newsweek is unfair, and that's why I am saying No to Newsweek.

Farewell, Richard.

(Personal Details Deleted)

[SayNotoNewsweek]

If you believe as I do, maybe it is time to send Newsweek a message about fairness. Email or fax them.

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[Rocko]

Bump.

[stands2reason]

[RandallFlagg]

Good for you. I occasionally get sick to my stomach when I get to the checkout line. TIME's, "Mission NOT Accomplished." etc..

[weegee]

Newsweek? They still publish that thing?

I only ever see past date copies at my doctor's and dentist's offices.

[jimkress]

The link provided is false. It does not lead to NewsWeek. It leads to some other whacko site.

How can any person complain about NewsWeek's lies, when they lie about the link they provide on FR? A liar on either side has no credibility, integrity, or moral position. They are hypocrites.

[Peach]

Read it and going there now to e-mail them. Thought it was a disgraceful article and a new low.

When was the last time a celebrity went into rehab and Newsweek talked to that person's enemies (ie, Al Franken) for a hit piece? Answer: Never.

[SayNotoNewsweek]

Sorry, my mistake about the link. The story itself is at:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/979355.asp?0cv=KA01

[ventana]

Honest mistake and good activism piece. Bump. V's wife.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[JoJo Gunn]

I think it would be on the up and up if Alteredman's name wasn't listed in the Headline area.

[YaYa123]

My televisions have been on all day, and everytime I walked by one, somebody was discussing drug rehab, de-tox, opiates, blah blah blah, pretending they give a rip about drug addiction. Soooo obvious this is the media's grand opportunity to bash Rush, and it's been non-stop since last week, and nothing has advanced in the story, it's just repetition.

Imus accused Rush of forcing his housekeeper to get drugs for him, and even the insinuation it would be his fault if she has to go to jail. Nevermind the facts on this one.

[SayNotoNewsweek]

Is there any way to change that in the headline area?

Jonathan Alter wrote the worst article in that Newsweek. That is why I posted his name.

[gramho12]

My response:

Your hit piece on Rush Limbaugh was as disgusting a piece of so-called journalism as I have read recently, and that includes the overtly biased LA Slimes and their unveiled smear campaign against Arnold.

Arnold rose above the fray with his focus and appeal to the people; Rush will do the same,

It is a sorry time when a magazine such as yours devotes itself to personal, unsubstantiated rumor in order to kick a man who is in pain, just because he is a conservative.

Rush has brought great ideas, humor, entertainment, professionalism and honest news to his radio program for many years. He is always a gentlemen when dealing with his callers, expecially those who don't agree with him He has more integrity in his little pinky than the staff of you entire magazine.

There are many times I have almost cancelled my subscription to Newsweek, but this is the final straw.

Now, go back and crawl under that rock you slid out of while your magazine subscriptions continue to decline

[Dave S]

I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I read the article last weekend and it didnt bother me. Franken was going to be gotten for a quote because it makes for interesting reading for the reader or if TV high ratings. Newsweek is not some right wing journal so dont expect it to be. On the other hand, I dont think they were unfair. Some people, however, are always going to be offended, especially the activists. So enjoy your 15 minutes.

[rface]

sure, I'll FAX it:

Your hit piece on Limbaugh is a piece of Sh##. The writers of that article are pieces of sh##. .....and the paper that your magazines are written upon , well, I wouldn't wipe the sh## off of my ass with them

sincerly,

[ServesURight]

NEWSWEAK

[lonevoice]

Welcome to FreeRepublic. You're doing fine for your first post here.

BTT

[JoJo Gunn]

The mods will have to fix it.

Alteredman wrote the Newsweek article, yes, but he has nothing to do with your site, so from an ethical standpoint it's not wise to place his name there in the Headline area. Yours should be there instead.