Posted on 10/08/2004 4:57:36 PM PDT by KStorm
CONTROVERSY HITS ABC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR MARK HALPERIN... EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPING... An internal memo written by ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin admonishes ABC staff during coverage of Democrat Kerry and Republican Bush -- not to 'reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable'...
This PoS was complaining a year ago that the press was disgraceful for not being even more hysterically anti-Bush.
He also complained about the press being way too tough on Clinton.
In other words this is one of America's worst enemies and has been for a long time. He needs to be neutralized once and for all.
As soon as they finally realize that they are the old Soviet machine with a new face.
Dan Halperin.
Perhaps Dan Halperin, Mary Mapes and Dan Rather are getting memos from someone upstream.
Send your e-mail comments about Halperin's bias memo to ABC News at: netaudr@abc.com
I just sent them the following e-mail.
To whom it may concern:
ABC News Political Director Mark Halperin's memo to staff stating that President Bush's statements should receive greater scrutiny than Senator Kerry's statements is outrageous on its face.
While Mr. Halperin concedes in his memo that Senator Kerry "distorts, takes out of context, and [makes] mistakes all the time," Mr. Halperin writes this off by saying that the Senator's tactics are "not central to his efforts to win." In his version of journalistic integrity, Mr. Halperin states that although ABC News has a "responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest," he goes on to say that this responsibility "doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable."
If Senator Kerry's distortions are not central to his "efforts to win," why exactly is he saying them? Just for fun? For a few laughs? Mr. Halperin's memo puts ABC News on record in writing that Senator Kerry deserves what amounts to a free pass on his factual errors while President Bush should be held to a higher standard. This undermines ABC News' credibility the same way that CBS News lost their credibility on account of sloppy journalism on their part that led them to use forged documents in a story.
If ABC News is to maintain its own credibility, you must deal with Mr. Halperin IMMEDIATELY. This man does not belong in the position of authority that you have entrusted him. The only way that ABC News can restore its position is to terminate Mr. Halperin from your employ immediately.
Sincerely,
James T. Riley, Esq.
Dumfries, Virginia
My e-mail to ABC Affiliates:
Dear Sales Manager:
I'm glad that your political unit head, Mr. Mark Halperin, has come out as biased towards Senator Kerry and against President Bush in his recent E-Mail to the staff at ABC News. This lets the American people know that "liberal bias" at the mainstream media is not a myth, but a fact.
From this day forward, I, and my family, will boycott any and all sponsors/advertisers of your network and station. Rest assured that I will be writing those companies to let them know of my decision. Good day.
XXXX XXXXXX
Here's the response from my local station:
I have no idea what you are talking about and please take me off your e-mail as we are much too busy for this type thing. Grow up!!
This just in via e-mail:
October 9, 2004
TO: Chairman Michael K. Powell: Michael.Powell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: Kathleen.Abernathy@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
CC: ABC, netaudr@abc.com, CBS, evening@cbsnews.com,
The Early Show: earlyshow@cbs.com,
60 Minutes II: 60II@cbsnews.com,
48 Hours: 48hours@cbsnews.com,
Face The Nation: ftn@cbsnews.com, FOX NEWS, comments@foxnews.com,
The Drudge Report of October 9, 2004 carries the claim that the ABCNEWS Political Director, Mark Halperin, has ordered the ABCNEWS staff to bias reporting in favor of John Kerry and to specifically ignore Kerrys distortions, using statements out of context and mistakes. For the story in detail, see the following url: http://www.drudgereport.com/mh.htm
Given that ABC now has a company policy to bias its reporting of political news, it is using the airways in a way not allowed under its lease agreement with the owners of the airways, the public. Usually such a breach of contract would not come into consideration until the lease was near expiration and the mechanism for its renewal began. Now, however, we now have a situation that could significantly impact on the future of the United States and therefore action to prevent the breach of contract must be immediate.
Removal of the ABC employee from the company employment will not be enough in that the company position is now well known to all of its other employees and the danger of the breach occurring despite his removal is too great to allow, given the grave possibilities involved.
I demand the immediate suspension of the broadcasting licenses of all ABC outlets until at least November 15, 2004. Failure to do so will be a breach of trust to the people of the United States as well as a dereliction of your individual and collective sworn duty.
Jere J Danaher
116 Ardoon Rd
Lutherville, MD 21093-5732
410 823 4009
dan756@earthlink.net
"I have no idea what you are talking about and please take me off your e-mail as we are much too busy for this type thing. Grow up!!"
Dearie, I'm 72 years old and I'm about to sue your ass off for age discrimination. That hurt my damn feelings.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.