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ABC News President David Westin Blasts Opinion in Media (hypocrisy: what about Stephanopoulos?)
Harvard Crimson (via Drudge) ^ | 10/26/04 | MICHAEL CHION

Posted on 10/27/2004 8:42:34 AM PDT by Cableguy

ABC News President David Westin warned against the proliferation of opinion commentary in the news media at the Institute of Politics’ John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum yesterday night. “The more time we express our opinions, the less time we have to talk about the facts,” Westin said. “Unfortunately, opinion is driving out facts too often in most of what we see on television today.”

In a speech entitled “Is Network News Obsolete?” Westin argued that network news is far from dead but that the networks must adapt to changes in media.

Westin pointed to the rise of alternative news sources, such as the internet and 24-hour news channels, which have challenged networks to meet constant deadlines and provide continuing coverage.

Westin said the emergent alternative media is partly to blame for the dearth of objective news.

“Expressing opinion on TV is vivid, entertaining, and in all honesty, less expensive than the alternative,” Westin said. “Therefore, the explosion of news outlets has in its own way encouraged the explosion of opinion.”

Westin acknowledged that there is a place in television for commentary, but said too much commentary can hinder the distribution of useful information.

“It can be very entertaining to have two very spirited people discussing heath care in this country, but I for one would be better benefited by someone coming on and telling me exactly what the state of health care is before we talk about what ought to be done and telling mewhat my real options are,” Westin said.

In addition to the danger of having too much opinion, news media face the danger of the blurring between fact and opinion, he said.

“If viewers see news people on different channels that look pretty much the same, on sets that look pretty much the same, and graphics that look pretty much the same, with some expressing opinion some of the time and some expressing facts, is it surprising that the audience believe that they’re all expressing facts?” Westin asked.

During the question-and-answer session that followed his speech, Westin said he believes that his warning “parallels” that of Jon Stewart to Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala on an October 15 episode of CNN’s Crossfire—that there’s just too much spin and not enough reporting.

As president of ABC News, Westin is responsible for all aspects of ABC News broadcasts, which include World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Nightline and Good Morning America. From September 1994 until 1997, when he assumed his current position, Westin served as president of the ABC Television Network. Before joining ABC, Westin had been a partner at the law firm Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering since 1985.

Amy R. Spitalnick, a Tufts freshman who attended the forum with some of her classmates, agreed with Westin’s warning against excessive opinion commentary.

“There is a serious lack of unbiased news coverage,” she said. “I think that if the media had focused more on the facts during the 2000 election, it would have been a lot less controversial.”


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abcnews; agitprop; clintonistas; davidwestin; democrats; dnc; exremists; fifthcolumn; johnkerry; leftwing; liars; mediawhore; propaganda; shills
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To: Cableguy
“Unfortunately, opinion is driving out facts too often in most of what we see on television today.”

That's just his opinion.

21 posted on 10/27/2004 9:16:23 AM PDT by j. earl carter (I have a plan...)
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To: Cableguy
Here is a picture of the guy:

22 posted on 10/27/2004 9:23:25 AM PDT by Cableguy (http://cableworld.blogspot.com/)
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To: Cableguy

Westin values the Communist goal of "Diversity" over facts, and he'll threaten your job for it.

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020218/3867160s.htm


23 posted on 10/27/2004 9:23:48 AM PDT by JoJo Gunn (More than two lawyers in any Country constitutes a terrorist organization. ©)
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To: ForGod'sSake; weegee

Beautiful! May I forward it on to my email list? Thank you.

Mr. Westin must understand that Cronkite/Rather and all of the other "set the agenda" in the newsroom types did not practice objective, fact laden journalism is what brings MSM to this cataclysmic confrontation with alternative media.

Striking at the heart of the influence of MSM is the exposure of the CBS culpability in an attempt to influence an election and demoralize the men and women fighting for our country.

The MSM got away with it in Vietnam partly because there was no alternative media to check the (Cronkite) newsroom agenda of the time. The MSM aided and abetted the rise of John Forbes Kerry and his demoralizing lies and slander against the American military.

Perhaps this time in our history is a date with destiny for both Kerry and the MSM which aided and abetted his hatred of his fellow soldiers.

Weegee - more of our conversation from yesterday.



24 posted on 10/27/2004 9:41:13 AM PDT by BlessedByLiberty (Respectfully submitted,)
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To: Cableguy
It isn't true. The media have themselves to blame for their elitist, liberal, east coast mentality. They live in a bubble and don't see anything outside their cozy little world as relevant. Liberals wanted an exclusive monopoly on what they would let us see and hear. This was never news, it has always been propaganda. In the past, if you wanted news, there was no where else to go. But, now there is, and more and more folks are taking advantage of it.
25 posted on 10/27/2004 9:52:20 AM PDT by hyperpoly8 (Illegitimati Non Carborundum)
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To: Cableguy

maybe Westin should check out Drudge RIGHT F*NG NOW!!!!!!


26 posted on 10/27/2004 9:53:14 AM PDT by hobbes1 (Hobbes1TheOmniscient® "I know everything so you don't have to" ;)
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To: BlessedByLiberty
Beautiful!

Thanks for the flowers.

May I forward it on to my email list?

Absolutely; send it anywhere you think it might do some good. Or for that matter, anywhere it might do some harm ;^)

FGS

27 posted on 10/27/2004 10:42:20 AM PDT by ForGod'sSake (ABCNNBCBS: An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly.)
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To: Cableguy

ABC INTERNAL MEMO:


Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004


It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave
I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel you can advance the discussion.

The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done.

Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win.

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.

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.


28 posted on 10/27/2004 11:12:37 AM PDT by weegee (George Soros has probably spent more on this election that many rock stars make in a year.)
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To: Timesink; martin_fierro; reformed_democrat; Loyalist; =Intervention=; PianoMan; GOPJ; ...

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING list


29 posted on 10/27/2004 11:14:02 AM PDT by weegee (George Soros has probably spent more on this election that many rock stars make in a year.)
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To: bray
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

Please. We have all seen this multiple times from you.

30 posted on 10/27/2004 11:16:09 AM PDT by WildTurkey
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To: Cableguy
The Dinosaurs of ABCNNBCBS watching the internet meteor strike.


31 posted on 10/27/2004 11:18:57 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (When will ABCNNBCBS & the MSM fishwraps stop Rathering to America? Answer: NEVER!)
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To: Cableguy

Claptrap, ABC is as intent as ever in inserting liberal bias into their news.


32 posted on 10/27/2004 11:19:12 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: ForGod'sSake
Superb!


33 posted on 10/27/2004 11:22:38 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (When will ABCNNBCBS & the MSM fishwraps stop Rathering to America? Answer: NEVER!)
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To: Grampa Dave
Thanks Grampa Dave. In hope I live long enough to be able to check off the rest of the clueless media weasels.

FGS

34 posted on 10/27/2004 1:58:17 PM PDT by ForGod'sSake (ABCNNBCBS: An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly.)
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To: ForGod'sSake

I have the same hope!


35 posted on 10/27/2004 2:25:31 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (When will ABCNNBCBS & the MSM fishwraps stop Rathering to America? Answer: NEVER!)
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To: Cableguy
“It can be very entertaining to have two very spirited people discussing heath care in this country, but I for one would be better benefited by someone Progressively Liberal coming on and telling me exactly what the state of health care is before we talk about what ought to be done and telling me what my real options are,” Westin said.

David forgot a couple words, I am glad to give him a hand.

36 posted on 10/27/2004 2:52:28 PM PDT by RJL
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