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ABC News Director Tells Staff Not To Hold Kerry 'Equally Accountable' to Bush
Mens News Daily ^ | October 9, 2004 | MND NEWSWIRE

Posted on 10/09/2004 8:58:55 AM PDT by NewMediaFan

An internal memo written by ABC News director Mark Halperin admonishes his news staff not to "artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable" in the second Bush-Kerry presidential debate.

The memo, dated the morning of the second Bush-Kerry debate, cites two articles critical of the Bush campaign (In New Attacks, Bush Pushes Limit on the Facts, by Adam Nagourney and Richard Stevenson, NYT, and Bush vs. the news, by Howard Fineman at MSNBC.)

"The current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done," Haperin wrote, referring to the Nagourney/Stevenson and Fineman articles.

"Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win," Halperin continued. "We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable when the facts don't warrant that."

(Excerpt) Read more at mensnewsdaily.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abcnews; bias; halperin; halperingate
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Let's keep this story alive.
1 posted on 10/09/2004 8:58:56 AM PDT by NewMediaFan
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To: NewMediaFan

good to see it at another site :)


2 posted on 10/09/2004 8:59:22 AM PDT by ArmyBratCutie ("Four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:soap, ballot, jury, ammo in this order!")
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To: NewMediaFan
Where's the outrage?! WTF?? Imagine if this were the other way around?

I HATE the lamestream media.

3 posted on 10/09/2004 9:01:41 AM PDT by Jenya (I'm a newbie here, but not to life. Don't even think of imposing your seniority on me.)
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To: NewMediaFan

AMAZING Quote from Halperin's memo:

"I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions.

"It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do that right. "

He also says they have a "grave responsibility"--- basically to help kerry win.


4 posted on 10/09/2004 9:03:05 AM PDT by San Jacinto
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To: NewMediaFan

My hope is that CBS will pick this up and run with it, just as ABC did with the Rather forged documents. LET THEM EAT THEIR OWN!


5 posted on 10/09/2004 9:03:11 AM PDT by admiralsn (George W. Bush - one man, one plan, one vision-- FREEDOM!)
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To: NewMediaFan
This is only a surprise to the elite media because they were caught supporting kerry.
6 posted on 10/09/2004 9:03:19 AM PDT by wattsup ("It's best to stay silent and be thought of as a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.." ..Abe L.)
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To: NewMediaFan

CBS showed its colors.

Now ABC show.

How about NBC?


7 posted on 10/09/2004 9:04:32 AM PDT by RISU
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To: NewMediaFan

Hey, there's no liberal bias in the mainstream media!

/sarcasm


8 posted on 10/09/2004 9:04:51 AM PDT by Thrusher (The timing of this post is suspicious.)
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To: NewMediaFan

Has this hit any MSM outlets yet? If not, why not? Well, I think I know the answer....


9 posted on 10/09/2004 9:04:57 AM PDT by SERKIT (FirefightersForBush.com)
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To: NewMediaFan

Just another nail in the coffin of the MSM


10 posted on 10/09/2004 9:06:34 AM PDT by Death and Taxes
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To: NewMediaFan

you know, i lost my respect for the "mainstream" media a long time ago.

they started their agenda back in the 1930s with the old left and the new left has continued it to this day.


11 posted on 10/09/2004 9:07:12 AM PDT by ken21 (require econ in hi skools + the democrat party wd evaporate)
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To: NewMediaFan

The only "grave responsibility" the MSM feels it has is to do anything, including getting votes from the grave, to help elect John Kerry.


12 posted on 10/09/2004 9:07:48 AM PDT by John Thornton
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To: NewMediaFan

This story has been posted numerous times. Good. Keep it active.


13 posted on 10/09/2004 9:08:00 AM PDT by TruthWillWin
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To: NewMediaFan
How so very equitable and non-partisan of them...NOT!

Their bias has been wholly transparent for a long, long time, this just confirms it all the more...just like CBS, CNN, and NBC...MSM.

14 posted on 10/09/2004 9:08:44 AM PDT by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
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To: NewMediaFan
"Why have we given George W. Bush such an easy ride when-until now, that is-when actually his qualifications are questionable?"

-Christiane Amanpour on September 13, 2000, at RTNDA2000's Murrow Awards Ceremony

15 posted on 10/09/2004 9:09:12 AM PDT by Psycho_Bunny
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To: NewMediaFan

First SEE BS and now ABC, I'm "shocked" and "dismayed". And I always thought the letter nets were fair and balanced. (excuse me while I hurl.)


16 posted on 10/09/2004 9:09:28 AM PDT by keysguy (Trust the media as far as you can throw them)
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To: NewMediaFan

He has to tell his staff to ease up on the leftie? What, were these folks so drugged out during "journalism" school that they missed the defining lesson? That's like the pimp telling his staff, all of whom went to "prostitution" school, "Don't forget to ask for your payment!"


17 posted on 10/09/2004 9:11:24 AM PDT by Tacis (When Kerry Farts, You Can Hear McAuliffe's Voice And Smell Lockhart's Breath!)
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To: RISU

NBC has "perky" Katie Couric and they don't need anymore help for Kerry, she does "it all". The Today show is just another Kerry campaign stop every morning.


18 posted on 10/09/2004 9:11:48 AM PDT by IceAge
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To: NewMediaFan
Let's keep this story alive.

I hope so. As one who was a "Young Republican for Goldwater" in '64, the treachery of the news media is nothing new to me. It's time for "payback" and I hope Al Gores "Information Super Highway" is the road that goes there.

19 posted on 10/09/2004 9:12:39 AM PDT by elbucko ( Feral Republican)
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To: RISU
CBS showed its colors.
Now ABC show.
How about NBC?

They did when Brian William falsly reported that Cheney said Saddam was linked to 9/11

20 posted on 10/09/2004 9:14:10 AM PDT by Mo1 (The President's job is not to pass a global test, but to protect the American people.)
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