NBC, MSNBC terminate Arnett (Includes video of Today show interview)

MSNBC ^ | March 30, 2003

[Dont Mention the War]

NBC, MSNBC terminate Arnett

NBC, MSNBC AND NEWS SERVICES

March 31 — NBC and MSNBC on Monday said they had terminated their relationship with Peter Arnett after the journalist told state-run Iraqi TV that the U.S.-led coalition’s initial war plan had failed and that reports from Baghdad about civilian casualties had helped antiwar protesters undermine the Bush administration’s strategy.

       “IT WAS wrong for Mr. Arnett to grant an interview to state controlled Iraqi TV — especially at a time of war — and it was wrong for him to discuss his personal observations and opinions in that interview,” NBC News President Neal Shapiro said in a statement. “Therefore, Peter Arnett will no longer be reporting for NBC News and MSNBC.”

       Arnett, who won a Pulitzer Prize reporting in Vietnam for The Associated Press, appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Monday to apologize for his statements. (MSNBC.com is an NBC News-Microsoft joint venture)
       
Peter Arnett's Baghdad Dairy [sic]

       
INTERVIEW CONTENT

[McGavin999]

To my mind, this won't be done with until the US pulls his citizenship papers. I understand he's a naturalized citizen and that can be pulled for what he did during war.

[Houmatt]

Add Matt Lauer, who said at the end of this morning's interview: "At the risk of getting in trouble, Peter, I want to say I respect the work you've done. I respect your honesty."

So Lauer made the mistake of agreeing with Arnett's actions ON THE AIR?

I think it is cool he basically admitted he is anti-American.

Does anyone wish to see Today's ratings plummet? Let everyone know about this exchange!

For great justice!

[Howlin]

At this point, it might be easier to make of list of the media who ARE NOT anti-American.

Shorter, anyway.

[Howlin]

I believe you are wrong about that.

[RummyChick]

Great Freep job last night with fast results. - Benedict Arnett got Dixie Chicked...bahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

[tdadams]

I think that people like Arnett, Natalie Maines (of the Dixie Chicks), and Michael Moore say the ridiculous things they say, not because they're bold and intrepid, but because they think there will be no consequences. And they think there will be no consequences because they think nearly everyone agrees with them. Michael Moore has said as much many times.

They have no idea just how far out on the fringes they are. They are surrounded by hundreds of people who all think/speak/write anti-war, anti-Bush diatribes for a living and they begin to think that only a tiny few small minded people must support the war in Iraq. They are quintessentially out of touch liberals.

[Houmatt]

I can assure you, even as Arnett has openly, blatantly committed an act of treason against the United States of America, he will never be prosecuted until the people of this great nation rouse John Ashcroft from his slumber at the wheel of the Justice Department and demand he does his job.

[Houmatt]

See post #88.

[rocky88]

My husband just called me and said that after I left for work this morning, Colonel David Hunt called Arnette an a**hole on Fox and Friends. He said it was awesome! Did anyone else see this? My husband also said that they went to Ollie North afterward and asked him his opinion, and he said that while he wouldn't use Hunt's exact words, he had to agree with him.

Now that's something they should put in a statement at the bottom of the screen.... Colonel David Hunt calls Arnette an a**hole!!!!

I love Fox!!

[Use It Or Lose It]

I love Fox!!

Colonel David Hunt is one tuff cookie and tells it exactly like it is. Sorry I missed his on-air observation. Too bad there's no "instant (and repetitive) replay" of the Colonel!

[maclogo]

Arenot, Isnot.

[freekitty]

Imagine this picture where they actually had to send the video home with someone to try and see if they could get around it? This is to stupid for words. It's either right or wrong, and Arnett has a history of the latter.

[Dont Mention the War]

I believe you are wrong about that.

I've looked over the PDF of the settlement and can't find anything in it about MSNBC. They are not a part of the Washington Post Company.

[Howlin]

Well, the Admin Moderator doesn't agree with you, since it altered the original post.

I'm sure they're wrong though.

[Dont Mention the War]

Well, the Admin Moderator doesn't agree with you, since it altered the original post.

Sometimes - just occasionally, of course - FR moderation and reality are two trains passing in the night.

[Howlin]

FR moderation and reality are two trains passing in the night.

You seem to be the one on the wrong track. Take a hint and obey the rules and try not to make such an ass out of yourself while you're doing it.

[billbears]

And it had to be the most pitiful apology I've ever seen. I caught the last bit of it and it boiled down something to the effect of 'I didn't know it was wrong to pull for the other side to win, I was just being objective'

Reminded me of that movie Baghdad that came out last year on the first war and CNN's 'great' coverage. I was thinking then that they had to be covering up some of the things in the movie they said and did to get all that preferential treatment