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Battle Rages Between Fox News and MSNBC
The New York Times ^ | April 3, 2003 | JIM RUTENBERG

Posted on 04/02/2003 10:35:43 PM PST by Willie Green

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

The Fox News Channel and MSNBC have been fighting it out for the hearts and minds of American television viewers. Now the battlefield has spilled over from news coverage to advertising and promotions.

On Sunday, Fox News covered the plight of Peter Arnett, the war correspondent for MSNBC, NBC News and National Geographic Explorer. In an interview on Iraqi-controlled television, he said, among other things, that the American war plan had failed.

On Tuesday, MSNBC reported on the plight of the Fox correspondent Geraldo Rivera, who ran afoul of military commanders for mistakenly giving away the position of the United States troops he was accompanying.

After consulting with the Pentagon, where officials wanted Mr. Rivera to leave Iraq, Fox News, which is owned by the News Corporation, decided to pull Mr. Rivera from the country.

MSNBC also broadcast a promotional spot, vowing that it would never "compromise military security or jeopardize a single American life." Fox News took that as a dig at Mr. Rivera.

But MSNBC said it made the spot during the 2001 military campaign in Afghanistan.

MSNBC is owned by the Microsoft Corporation and General Electric, which also owns NBC.

Yesterday, Fox producers complained to MSNBC over its report that Mr. Rivera had been told to leave Iraq by the United States military when Fox had, in fact, removed him on its own. The complaint was not greeted politely.

So Fox News Channel unleashed a promotional spot that showed Mr. Arnett's Iraqi TV interview as an announcer said: "He spoke out against America's armed forces; he said America's war against terrorism had failed; he even vilified America's leadership. And he worked for MSNBC."

Alluding to an old branding campaign in which MSNBC called itself America's News Channel, the advertisement went on to say, "Now, ask yourself, is this America's news channel."

Then, the spot flashed the Fox slogan, "Real Journalism, Fair and Balanced."

A spokesman for MSNBC said: "I find it outrageous that Fox runs this promo and continues to employ Geraldo Rivera."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: foxnews; msnbc; peterarnett; truth
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first 1-2021-33 next last
Go Fox Go!!!
1 posted on 04/02/2003 10:35:43 PM PST by Willie Green
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To: Willie Green

pMSNBC has ratings envy!!


2 posted on 04/02/2003 10:37:00 PM PST by Keith in Iowa (* * Common Sense is an Oxymoron * *)
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To: Willie Green
Battle? Puh-leeze. Fox is annihilating those idiots.
3 posted on 04/02/2003 10:39:26 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Willie Green
Fox wins !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 posted on 04/02/2003 10:39:46 PM PST by noutopia
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To: Willie Green
The Fox News Channel and MSNBC have been fighting it out for the hearts and minds of American television viewers.

Looking at msnbc's ratings, it doesn't look like much of a battle.

5 posted on 04/02/2003 10:41:17 PM PST by thatdewd (dave's not here, man...)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Fox is ripping them apart - Rick Leventhal and Greg Kelly alone are worth MSNBCs entire group of embedded reporters.
6 posted on 04/02/2003 10:45:17 PM PST by af_vet_rr
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To: Willie Green
While I'm all for FOX's trouncing MSNBC in the ratings, I would like to hear them (FOX) make SOME mention of what's up with Whorealdo (right before they can his a$$).
7 posted on 04/02/2003 11:04:03 PM PST by martin_fierro (Mr. Avuncular)
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To: Willie Green
MSNBC is the Republican Guard of television...
8 posted on 04/02/2003 11:07:37 PM PST by dixiechick2000
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To: af_vet_rr
Yes, they spent a lot of time with both tonight!

Much more than I have seen before!
9 posted on 04/02/2003 11:11:26 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Nuke Saddam and his Baby Milk Factories!!)
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To: Willie Green
I wasn't aware that msnbc was owned by microsoft(the evil empire run by the devil himself).
No wonder I never watch the network except to watch Imus when I can.
FOX, thanks Mr. Murdoch.
10 posted on 04/03/2003 2:05:08 AM PST by Joe Boucher
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To: martin_fierro
I haven't heard anything new about Geraldo other than Fox was removing him...did they? Or is he "all the way to Baghdad"-bound?
11 posted on 04/03/2003 5:55:19 AM PST by Elijah27
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To: Elijah27
I haven't heard anything new about Geraldo other than Fox was removing him...did they? Or is he "all the way to Baghdad"-bound?

He's now in Damascas. Our troops will be along in a few months. :)

12 posted on 04/03/2003 6:00:56 AM PST by kjam22
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To: thatdewd
Like Ollie says: "Fox Rocks!" If PMSNBC wants to out Gerardo, I say keep him.
13 posted on 04/03/2003 6:01:38 AM PST by Minty
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To: Mr. Mojo
Exactly! CNN and MSNBC aren't fit to lick FNC's boots. FNC has the best military experts and exclusive access to info from the Pentagon. The soldiers love FNC- as they have stated themselves on screen.
14 posted on 04/03/2003 6:03:39 AM PST by rintense (The tyrant will soon be gone... or extremely dead.)
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To: af_vet_rr
Fox is ripping them apart - Rick Leventhal and Greg Kelly alone are worth MSNBCs entire group of embedded reporters.

I totally agree. Leventhal's and Kelly's reports have been absolutely stunning at times! I've e-mailed FNC several times with glowing comments.

Comments@foxnews.com and/or Viewerservices@foxnews.com

15 posted on 04/03/2003 9:59:39 AM PST by nutmeg (Liberate Iraq - Support Our Troops!)
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To: StarFan; Dutchy; stanz
FYI
16 posted on 04/03/2003 10:00:16 AM PST by nutmeg (Liberate Iraq - Support Our Troops!)
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To: Willie Green
MSNBC is a joke.
17 posted on 04/03/2003 10:02:56 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Willie Green
Fox : MSNBC as 3rd ID : Medina Division
18 posted on 04/03/2003 10:12:36 AM PST by TADSLOS (Sua Sponte)
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To: nutmeg
I will still watch Rob Morrison - -eye candy.
19 posted on 04/03/2003 10:31:31 AM PST by stanz
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To: Willie Green
MSNBC also broadcast a promotional spot, vowing that it would never "compromise military security or jeopardize a single American life."

What did they think they were doing with that Peter Arnett "interview"?

20 posted on 04/03/2003 10:33:31 AM PST by Cincinatus (Omnia relinquit servare Republicam)
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