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NewBreakers, When News Breaks We Bust It, posted on their web site: "The video WROC Channel 8 in Rochester, NY doesn't want you to see!" claims NewsBreakers.

CBS affiliate WROC Channel 8 in Rochester, NY published a story on its website January 6, 2005 accusing a member of NEWSBREAKERS of assault. A police investigation relied on video of the incident to exonerate NEWSBREAKERS. The video reveals that the WROC reporter instead pushed NEWSBREAKERS senior political correspondent Buck Owens.

Members of the group were detained for more than one hour and eventially released after producing the videotaped evidence. Police indicated that a harassment charge could be brought against Owens at a later date for "startling" the WROC reporter. A story in Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle (Jan.7,2005) recounted a similar version of the assualt claim made by WROC management.

Group Liberates Live Television Events, Launches 'New Chapter in Media Criticism'

(Rochester, NY) - January 6, 2005 - The media watchdog group NEWSBREAKERS freed two live broadcasts today, one from CBS affiliate WROC Channel 8 and the other from NBC affiliate WHEC Channel 10.

The group temporarily reclaimed the airwaves in the name of the American people in protest of the wholesale failure of Federal Communications Commission licensees to honor their obligation to the public.

Video of the liberation event is available at http://www.newsbreakers.org/video.htm

"As citizens in a participatory democracy, we can no longer idly standby and let our government offer the airwaves, our common property, to the highest bidder," NEWSBREAKERS senior political correspondent Buck Owens said. "Today's event marks a new chapter in media criticism. We are putting television news on notice: We're out here, we're watching and we ain't happy with what we see."

The group attempted to provide the television news employees on the scene with copies of the Constitution of the United States.

"The gift would have served as a reminder that the guarantees outlined in that document are bestowed upon journalists not by corporate leadership, advertisers, government bureaus, ratings agencies or the lecture circuit, but by We the People of the United States," Owens said.

Security personal detained NEWSBREAKERS members before they were able to offer the employees of the television stations the copies of the Constitution. A police investigation found no wrong doing on the part of NEWSBREAKERS. Members of the group were released without charge. An investigating officer said that one of the news employees was "startled" by the event.

NEWSBREAKERS is a nonpartisan, nonviolent media watchdog group dedicated to the improvement of journalism. It offers comment and critique on the role of television news in informing the public. The group relies on parody and non-traditional media interventions.

The group is currently planning future events.

Contact: (212) 931-8548 or e-mail to: questions@newsbreakers.org

"If you've got a soft spot for perfectly-coifed television types, you'll hate these guys."
-Ann Coulter

The corporations are stealing the airwaves from the people, NEWSBREAKERS is stealing them back."
-Ralph Nader

1 posted on 01/08/2005 7:29:26 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: fight_truth_decay

marking


2 posted on 01/08/2005 7:34:27 AM PST by gaijin
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To: fight_truth_decay
There should be a Tinfoil Guy in there.


3 posted on 01/08/2005 7:35:53 AM PST by martin_fierro (</pith>)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Idiots.


4 posted on 01/08/2005 7:37:29 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (“I know a great deal about the Middle East because I’ve been raising Arabian horses" Patrick Swazey)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Rather lame....


5 posted on 01/08/2005 7:37:43 AM PST by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
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To: fight_truth_decay
...two others approached Harness, pushing her into the side of the broadcast truck, shouting at her "What's the mood at the hospital today?"

Reporter, Elizabeth Harness, responded "It seems to be getting a little surly."

6 posted on 01/08/2005 7:37:49 AM PST by TigersEye (Are your parents Pro-Choice? I guess you got lucky!)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Bwhahahahahahaha!!

They look like an old WWF Tag team from the 1980's!

What a bunch of jokers. Id just have a very large man near with a bat... smacking it on his hands, in plain view of these idiots. I think that would make them think twice. My camera man would have a sign on his back "When the bat comes out, the camera goes off".



7 posted on 01/08/2005 7:38:30 AM PST by Next_Time_NJ (NJ demorat exterminator)
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To: fight_truth_decay
These NEWSBREAKERS guys are pranksters who took up valuable air time during which WROC could have brought you important news and information. So now, instead of bringing you, the viewer, important news and information, WROC is bringing you the story of pranksters who took up valuable air time during which WROC could have brought you...

AWESOME! Are they willing to do some live reporting from Florida? I love the live shots we get here, like, "We have just arrived on the scene. There was police here a hour ago but the area is getting back to normal, this is Liz Urd, reporting live from..."

GO GO Invisible suit!
9 posted on 01/08/2005 7:40:45 AM PST by Dominick ("Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." - JP II)
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To: fight_truth_decay
The video reveals that the WROC reporter instead pushed NEWSBREAKERS

This, buried in the story, after it's categorically stated 2X that the reporter was assaulted! (in the beginning of the report)!

Now I think they could probably be less cryptic in their remarks to be more effective - I'm reminded of "what's the frequency, Kenneth" ....

11 posted on 01/08/2005 7:42:06 AM PST by 1john2 3and4
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To: fight_truth_decay

They aren't "protesting" in the sense that you can tell what it is they are against during the protest. They're just trying to get attention.

The local media types think they're just nutjobs.

There is a question about how they know when and where to show up for their antics.


14 posted on 01/08/2005 7:47:11 AM PST by irv
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To: fight_truth_decay

As citizens in a participatory democracy, we can no longer idly standby and let our government offer the airwaves, our common property, to the highest bidder," NEWSBREAKERS senior political correspondent Buck Owens said.




isn't Buck too old for this kind of stuff?


15 posted on 01/08/2005 7:47:33 AM PST by AlbertWang
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To: fight_truth_decay
two others approached Harness, pushing her into the side of the broadcast truck

Yep. That's assault and battery.

17 posted on 01/08/2005 7:52:12 AM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: fight_truth_decay
>Police indicated that a harassment charge could be brought against Owens at a later date for "startling" the WROC reporter

Wow. Just imagine
what will happen to Freepers
for the stuff we said

we'd like to happen
to Dan Rather! Now such talk
might be a hate crime . . .

18 posted on 01/08/2005 7:52:55 AM PST by theFIRMbss
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To: fight_truth_decay

Sounds like a bunch of DUmmies to me.


19 posted on 01/08/2005 7:53:14 AM PST by PokeyJoe (Unvarnished Truth - Your Milage May Vary)
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To: fight_truth_decay

I view this more as harrasment than a legitmate "protest". If it keeps happening I believe we'll see these guys get their asses kicked on the 11:00 news.


21 posted on 01/08/2005 7:54:25 AM PST by Rebelbase (Who is General Chat?)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Is that a big acorn in his right pocket?


32 posted on 01/08/2005 8:03:57 AM PST by processing please hold (Islam and Christianity do not mix ----9-11 taught us that)
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To: fight_truth_decay

They remind me of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Just going around creating chaos were there is none. Stupid pranks with no real objective.


42 posted on 01/08/2005 8:16:45 AM PST by BallyBill (I'm a God fearing man and with many I stand....)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Right or wrong, the invisible suit guy picture is pretty damn funny.


43 posted on 01/08/2005 8:17:34 AM PST by killjoy (My kid is the bomb at Islam Elementary!)
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To: fight_truth_decay

60 posted on 01/08/2005 9:26:31 AM PST by VaBthang4 ("He Who Watches Over Israel Will Neither Slumber Nor Sleep")
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To: fight_truth_decay

Hilarious!


61 posted on 01/08/2005 9:31:56 AM PST by thoughtomator (Flush twice, it's a long way to France)
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To: fight_truth_decay

I suspect they are not a protest group, but rather a comedy troupe (trying to make it big).


68 posted on 01/08/2005 10:01:59 AM PST by Petronski (I'm *not* always cranky.)
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