Fox News Ad Battle Gets Uglier; CNN’s Rick Sanchez Called a “Sucker”
The Washington Post ran a full-page instigating ad in today’s paper from Fox News that asks: “How Did ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC And CNN Miss This Story?” referring to the D.C. tea party protests on 9/12.
CNN’s Rick Sanchez said “you lie!” (seriously, he said that) – since his network and all the others did cover the protests. He also played a clip of Bill O’Reilly saying CNN covered the protests. But Fox News is sticking to their guns, and WashPost is defending the ad buy. What? (Updated, with comment from FOX)
Every network defended their coverage today, and TVNewser has a rundown of those defenses, plus this from Michael Tammero, VP of Marketing for FNC.
“Generally speaking, it’s fair to say that from the tea party movement … to Acorn … to the march on 9/12, the networks either ignored the story, marginalized it or misrepresented the significance of it altogether.”
Oh okay. So in Fox News’ opinion their competition didn’t cover the protests (or ACORN or the movement as a whole) in a way that they approved of. It is the opinion of Fox News (not fact, mind you) that the networks “missed” the story. This clears it up, and the ad makes sense. It’s not “fair and balanced” by any stretch of the imagination, but at least it makes more sense.
It’s also pretty much why the Post is totally fine with their decision. A spokesperson tells Politico, “The Post will not reject an advertisement based on its content or sponsor, unless the ad is illegal, false, advocates illegal actions, or is not in keeping with standards of taste. When we do not see anything in a particular ad that is contrary to these standards, we will not place limits on speech or content.”
Here’s the bottom line: Fox News didn’t “miss” this story because they were the story. They’ve driven the story, promoted the protests and covered them because they are the protests. The Fox Nation, the FOX opinion/community arm of the network’s web properties drove this story by actively helping register people to attend tea parties around the country. Glenn Beck promoted the D.C. protest (“It’s Time To Stand Up” he implored his audience) because he started the entire 9/12 movement.
Just look at the way Foxnews.com’s supposed “news” story covered the protests in D.C. From their “news” report:
They came. They saw. They protested.
Yet it remains to be seen whether the demonstration Saturday in the nation’s capital, against what protesters view as out-of-control spending by an expanding federal government, will conquer Washington.
It’s no surprise the other networks are actively trying to discredit this ad. But CNN sensed a chance to pounce, and they have been most active in refuting the point. Today they sent a statement that included dozens of embeddable links of their coverage, images and more.
> Update Saturday at 2pmET: We got ahold of someone at FOX today for a reaction to the reactions. An FNC exec laughed it off, saying, “‘Thank you very much,’ and a special thanks to Rick Sanchez who has always been a sucker…he’s a gift that keeps on giving.” (See this from July.)
This was part of CNN’s statement:
Fox News’ ad today is blatantly false regarding CNN’s coverage of the 9/12 rally.
CNN provided live coverage of the rally in Washington throughout the day Saturday, Sept. 12. CNN dispatched more than a dozen personnel and multiple camera crews, including the CNN Express, to cover the event. CNN’s deputy political director Paul Steinhauser was live at Freedom Plaza, CNN correspondent Kate Bolduan live from the West Front of the Capitol and roved the crowd, CNN’s Jim Spellman provided live hits all day after traveling for weeks on the actual Tea Party Express, and CNN’s Lisa Desjardins was live from the National Mall.
You get the idea.
Now that brings us to Sanchez. He unleashed on Fox News during his 3pmET hour. But most ironic – he played a clip of O’Reilly, actually saying CNN covered the protests. Check out his rant:
50 comments
CaptainAmerica says: Mocking the protesters and all the nonsense the networks did is not covering the story. All the networks have missed the REAL story. Great ad by Fox.
Now to run them being AWOL on Van Jones, ACORN and all the other stories they didn’t cover.
Agent Orangutan says: I was under the impression that being an active participant in GW Bush’s administration for the past 8 years squarely removed the “news” portion of Fox News.
Are there really people who believe that Fox News is truly fair and balanced?
JunkJunk says: You keep telling the truth, SteveK! “Loud” does not equal “right.”
Glynnis MacNicol says: My theory: The 9/12 rally was not as strongly attended as its sponsors (of which Glenn Beck was one) would have liked. Fox News then decides to run this ad in WaPo accusing all the other networks of not covering the rally _enough_; the networks respond saying “Look! Here’s all our coverage. See, we were there!” And voila, Fox has just ensured last Saturday received double (triple?) the coverage it would have otherwise. Smart media maneuvering if you ask me.
CaptainAmerica says: Yes, there are and the research backs it up. The research also shows that MSNBC and CNN aren’t news organizations put just DNC propoganda outlets. Gee-CNN was the CLINTON NEWS NETWORK long ago.
The reason FNC doesn’t seem “fair” to people like yourself, you are so used to watching faux news outlets like CNN and MSNBC. Of course those faux news outlets went wall to wall on did McCain have an affair but didn’t go after John Edwards and his love child.
Same reason why CNN and MSNBC barely touched on Rev Wright and then some like Soledad even defended his racist actions.
Same reason why FNC was even harder on McCain than Obama but MSNBC was totally in the tank for Obama. Pew Research showed that and how FNC was the best during the election coverage. Also they have the most balanced set of viewers unlike CNN and MSNBC which are heavily tilted to their left wing.
JunkJunk says: Glynnis has hit the nail on the head (as usual).
And they all fell for it…
*shakes head*
Agent Orangutan says: I’m guessing that CaptainAmerica is addressing my post, so I’ll respond thusly:
At no time did I mention any other news channel. I was commenting on Fox News. And you don’t know my political leanings, so, again, let’s try to stay on topic here.
Fox News is the station of the right. This is as obvious as the day is long. They are no more a balanced news source than MSNBC, CNN or PBS for that matter. But I’ve never noticed MSNBC calling themselves a “news” channel. And if all you’ve got is that Fox News was hard on McCain and a Pew study from the same time-frame — a person that Fox News absolutely didn’t want to have to push for the Presidency — well then your argument is simply lost.
I’m guessing that you hate Obama. Actually, I just read a few more of your comments and it is quite obvious that you hate Obama. Your bias has tainted your reality and, as such, having a discussion with you is pointless. Good luck with that hate. Hopefully you aren’t so gullible as to do anything stupid at the urging of Fox News or one of its anchors.
LVK says: My theory is that, much to the chagrin of the Fox Network, the Tea Party Protests did not get the appropriate amount of coverage by the other major news networks, and with this outrageous ad they are not only attempting to discredit their competitors and self-promote. What they accomplished with this ad was to a) get additional on-air talk time for the protest and b) get networks to re-roll the footage of the protests. This only puts the subject more on the minds of the public instead of letting the Tea Party Protests fade into the distance after the outrageous comments by Mark Williams et al. Mission accomplished, Fox. And CNN played right into it, having no choice but to show proof that they cover the news.
CaptainAmerica says: Not only has MSNBC falsely called themselves a news channel but they have called Olbynut a NEWSMAN!!! They let their opinion hosts participate in the debates and host election coverage! Come on! David Shuster is a left wing lunatic more than Olbermann and they act like he is a newsman. Just like with Tamara Hall, Contessa Brewer and all those other extremists.
CNN–look at the loons they have on the air parading around as newsman or journalists. Its a joke.
And of course MSNBC and CNN’s ratings reflect it. Nobody is watching.
CaptainAmerica says: Why don’t you all now try and accuse FNC of doctoring that photo! LOL Funny thing, the MSM loves to lie about attendance when its a pro death rally (abortion) or a 300,000 Man March or whatever left wing nutcases show up for.
Then you have the loons in the MSM acting like violence is going to happen. Yet, no arrests were made that day. Unlike the WTO or other left wing rallies where violence is rampant…the tear gas has to be taken out etc.
The MSM hates it that the conservative rallies are peaceful. So they try and do everything they can to tarnish those in attendance.
Puter Boi says: Watching Rick Sanchez get all holier than thou….calling others liars, makes me think back to 1990, when Sanchez got drunk at Dolphin Stadium…got into his car and ran down a pedestrian named Jeffrey Smuzinick. Sanchez was charged eventually pleaded no contest to DUI.
Because of his injuries, Mr. Smuzinick was confined to an assisted living facility where he eventually died.
There was a time in the 1980’s when Sanchez was fired from his anchor job in Miami after his involvement with Alberto San Pedro was revealed. San Pedro is known as “The Great Corruptor” in Miami political history.
So…when Rick points his finger at somebody he knows there are far more pointing back at him.
m says: All other networks covered it. They just didn’t advocate it, unlike Fox News.
CaptainAmerica says: No wonder Rick wasn’t very hard on Teddy Kennedy! Funny that Rick is another one of those faux journalists at CNN. Why don’t they just admit he is just another one of their OPINION SHOWS. He’s not a newsman!
that was the dumbest news segment I have ever seen in my life.
hey Sanchez, maybe what they really meant to say was CNN covered the event, just no one actually saw it because they were all watching FOX.
So, where was their coverage on Van Jones, and ACORN?
Oh, and Puter Boi, you left out the part where Sanchez FLED the scene and went home, leaving the victim laying there.
I LOVE that Sanchez gets all pissed when someone insults him, yet he lies about Conservatives all the time.
Agent Orangutan says: It is sad to see that the many of the conservative commenters posting here are no different than those posting on the other conservative sites. Being unable and unwilling to at least participate in a conversation relegates your opinion to simply being ignored. CaptainAmerica, I’m already of the opinion that you are a troll, please pardon me if I’m mistaken, but no one with an objective mind considers anything from Fox News as real news. Heck, even Bret Baier and Shepard Smith’s programs are full of blatant bias. And MSNBC and CNN are certainly no saints, I would never pretend that they were, but the subject is Fox News, and not being able to see their unmitigated and blatant bias is a failing on your part.
And when someone points to ratings as though that were any test of honesty, true or correctness shows just how hollow your argument is.
ChrisNH says: Female Jello-wrestling or TV Newsers fighting with each other? I’d take both for $100, Alex! I like FOX, and watch them. I’ve erased MSNBC from my TVs; you can’t even tune to it. That said, Fox should just STFU about their dominance. I know they dominate and so does everyone else, but enough already with the chest-thumping.
CaptainAmerica says: Yes, Shep sometimes shows his liberal bias Agent Orange. He’s been called out by conservatives on that. He needs to stick to doing news and leave out the commentary.
This is why cable news stinks, no matter what channel you’re watching (except maybe CSPAN)
While CNN and MSNBC drool over Obama, you’ve got the same thing going on at Faux News, where they promote a Tea Party protest like it’s their junior prom.
Embarrassing all around. I won’t hold my breath waiting for an honest cable news outlet that treats us all like adults.
JunkJunk says: Well-said, Anthony.
SuperSmart says: Agreed Anthony. The cheer leading is palpable from both sides of the fence.
Unfortunately, viewership is driven by train wrecks, and even-handed coverage doesn’t produce the ratings as easily as morons spouting hate does.
Colby Hall says: CNN has tried what Anthony suggest but, sadly, it hasn’t turned to sustainable ratings.
These days viewers want judgments in lieu of facts. The problem’s not the networks (though they are the symptom) its the people watching the networks.
Plus15 says: Has Rupert Murdoch secretly bought a piece of the Washington Post?
StewartIII says: Rick Sanchez Blasts Fox News, But Glosses Over CNN’s Own Bias
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2009/09/18/rick-sanchez-blasts-fox-news-glosses-over-cnns-own-bias
jpine says: So let’s be honest here: Fox News put an ad in a newspaper saying 5 other news channels failed to cover the tea party in DC. That is a lie. You may not like their coverage but every channel covered it. But there is a darker side to this lie. First, when was the last time you even saw a cable news channel post a provocative ad like this in a newspaper? And one so easily refuted Fox even taped O’Reily talking about the CNN coverage. Folks you are missing the point here.
To be brainwashed (Jim Jones, David Koresh, pick your favorite example) you have to be willing. And this ad is the “are you willing?” test for final fox news brainwashing. If you opt in to this lie (and again, quite bold specifically because it is so easily refuted) then the real question is: what else will you believe from Fox news once you’re “all in”: That Obama is a Muslim? That he is not an American citizen, that there really were weapons of mass destruction, that water boarding is not torture, that Glen Beck is a moderate? That Fox News is fair and balanced?
CaptainAmerica says: Fox’s view is that the ad refers to the other networks’ missing the larger story, not failing to cover the demonstration itself — although the photos suggest that the headline refers to the protest. “Generally speaking,” Michael Tammero, Fox News’s vice president of marketing, said in a statement, “it’s fair to say that from the tea party movement . . . to ACORN . . . to the march on 9/12, the networks either ignored the story, marginalized it or misrepresented the significance of it altogether.”
But wasn’t this ad arguably false? “Fox News was expressing its opinion on how its competitors covered the story in an ad to promote itself,” Coratti said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/18/AR2009091801102_pf.html
Fox’s marketing guy sums it up perfectly! Those networks didn’t cover the real story. They were AWOL. Great ad!
CaptainAmerica says:
September 19, 2009 at 2:00 am
Thanks for adding. Yes, the other networks painted the events as *racist extremist teabaggers mad there is a black man in the white house* completely ignoring the point of the protests.
They missed the story completely.
m says: All cablers covered the story. Fox News advocated and promoted it. Though what do you expect? Fox News *is* the political opposition.
“Fox News advocated and promoted it.”
Glenn Beck created the 9/12 project. Of course they promoted it.
“Fox News *is* the political opposition”
FOX is the media opposition to the other 90% that is liberal. And they have far more viewers. Obviously there are people who appreciate a non liberal bias, and they have a large audience. That’s why the left tries so hard to smear them, and label them extremists, and racist, and fringe.
There is nothing wrong with having an alternate voice out there. I used to be a liberal sheep. I now see the error if their bias ways.
Half the country didn’t vote Democrat. They have a right to a right of center news program, instead of all the other left leaning (if not extreme types on msnbc) liberal media.
I think the left needs to quit obsessing over FOX, and just do their friggin jobs, and cover news. They are trying way too hard to destroy their competition, when all they have to do is cover the news.
SuperSmart says: sarainitaly, odd isn’t it how we label anyone who disagrees with us as “fringe”. But just to correct you, it isn’t just the fringe or even liberals who rightfully label Fox News as extremists and racist — it is everyday conservatives, libertarians and independents who recognize the obvious race-baiting and disgusting/divisive rhetoric that taints the narrative being presented by Fox News on all programs, by all hosts. Hell, they can’t even take an hour off for an attempt at comedy as even their late-night show pushes this same racial narrative @ 3 in the morning.
race-baiting and disgusting/divisive rhetoric that taints the narrative – that has been the liberal MSM 24/7
Let’s see..
Racist accusations:
FOX news (Beck): 1
Liberal Media: 137579047358793285098490524395823
Democrats: 348972395734985798487
Just because it is happening on 90% of the stations doesn’t mean it’s not divisive.
Do I agree with everything FOX says? No.
Do I agree with everything the liberal MSM says? HELL NO.
I am a social liberal, former Dem, now Independent. And I now see what liars and biased reporters there are in the liberal MSM.
It’s not even about choosing Right of Left. It’s about the lying and the bias and the smear tactics.
SuperSmart says: sarainitaly: “Racist accusations: FOX news (Beck): 1″
Well, no silly, Fox News hasn’t been accusing people of being racist — as they are the racists. Sorry you don’t see the distinction, perhaps this will help: Fox News, on every show, is inflaming the latent racism in the more extreme-right corners of their audience by couching their opposition to Obama in a he-is-a-Muslim-Marxist-Communist-Socialist-Nazi-liar-fraud-racist narrative that, on its face, is blatantly racist.
There is a reason that the majority of signs at the 9/12 gathering touched on one of those Obama-is-a-Muslim-Marxist-Communist-Socialist-Nazi-liar-fraud-racist topics — as many are simply parroting the talking points advanced by the leaders on the right, i.e., Fox News, Hannity, Beck and Limbaugh.
Instead of arguing the specifics of their policy disagreements (e.g., a public option doesn’t work because… or removing the missile shield from Poland doesn’t work because… or bailing out the auto companies doesn’t work because…) instead of arguing these points on their merits, they take the lazy way out and instead result to personal attacks of their opposition.
And I’m sure someone from the right will be quick to point out “But the LEFT does it tooo!!!!!11″ … but does that make it right? Just because someone acts like an ass means you have to as well?
Just to weigh in here, but mostly as a response to Glynnis:
Why do I think Fox News ran this ad? Because of this. This right here. We’re talking about it, we’ve republished the ad, as have HuffPost, Politico, TVNewser and more. Drudge is linking to a story all about the ad. They’re getting so much more mileage out of a simple ad buy in the print edition of the Washington Post than they would have if they put in some boring, simple ad.
It’s a winning strategy, because whether you agree with the ad or not, so many more people know ABOUT it than they would have otherwise.
SuperSmart says: sarainitaly, you have demonstrated your blatant/willful ignorance on another thread. Thanks for sharing.
And thanks for answering this question: “Just because someone acts like an ass means you have to as well?” With a “Hell YES!!!!!1″
Jon1776 says: Capt American;
There was a problem found with at least one of the photos used:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/sep/14/tea-party-photo-shows-large-crowd-different-event/
jpine says: My point: Fox News created and promoted an Obama protest rally. Then covers it 24/7. Then took out a print ad and told a blatant and taunting lie – stating that basically the rest of the TV broadcasting media didn’t cover the event. The implication? That Fox is the ONLY unbiased TV station out there. The “I want it to be true therefore it must be” crowd takes it as fact – because an American news station would never overtly tell such a manipulating lie would they? That kind of propaganda (exploiting the deep emotions of hatred, fear and racism) from television news only happens in communist countries they tell themselves.
Spouting political opinion is fine – that’s what blogs and the op-ed section of the newspaper is for. And that’s why there are requirements in the print media such as “paid political advertisement” (which is what that ad should have been labeled). But when it is misrepresented as fact – and by a news channel that touts itself as “fair and balanced” – a dangerous line is crossed.
But the general public in America is not that stupid right?
Lawyer822 says: sarainrtaly if you think we believe that you are an independent and were for Obama you must be as stupid as your post. What the media didn’t report is the exagerrated numbers that fox claims. That’s what this is all about.
Lawyer822 says: Defending racism is Racist!
LOL! Typical. Name calling! Hide behind your little anonymity and name call. Such maturity.
Where do I say I supported Obama? I never supported Obama.
I supported Hillary, and liked Obama when the primary first started. I blogged about it at length, so you can believe what you want, I don’t give a rats patootie what some anonymous name caller thinks. I quit the Dem party because of their tactics. (I liked Obama when he spoke in 2004, but have been waiting for 12 years for Hillary to run.)
SuperSmart says:
September 19, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I just saw your reply, and left you one. My life does not revolve around replying to your comments. Excuse me for not replying IMMEDIATELY.
You guys are incapable of back and forth without name calling. You have proved many a point.
Lawyer822 says:
September 19, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Defending racism is Racist!
Racism is terrible. Accusing someone of being a racist when they aren’t is terrible. being called a racist can ruin careers, and destroy lives.
Assuming someone is racist because they are white is racist. Assuming someone is racist because they criticize Obama is racist. You are the ones who keep seeing his color, and pointing out that he is black. If Obama is not equal to all other presidents in history, and not equal to the same criticisms then that is racist. You are the ones handicapping him.
Yes, there are racist people in America. OBVIOUSLY. From all races. But the left has painted a massive broad stroke accusing all criticism of obama as racist, extremist, blah blah. It’s not. And it will only hurt Obama in the long run to continue that falsehood.
StewartIII, if you’re going to argue a point, don’t source your argument from a biased source. NewsBusters=Media Research Center, a conservative watchdog group, even Wikipedia says that.
JohnnyScirocco says: sarainitaly=crackpot
shootfromthehip says: Agreed Johnny.
And it must be said Sanchez OWNS Fox with this amazing segment. Rick Sanchez for the win…I’d say he got his revenge and got it good.
m says: Pretty much, shootfromthehip. Fox News using a shot from CNN in complaining about CNNs coverage is absolutely hilarious.
JohnnyScirocco says:
September 19, 2009 at 10:48 pm
sarainitaly=crackpot
Typical. Ignore the debate and name call. TYPICAL.
CaptainAmerica says: Rick Sanchez:
Rick Sanchez…
if i didn’t believe in doing right thing, i’d be rich anchoring at fox news
and this…
do u know how much money i’d make if i’d sold out as hispanic and worked at fox news, r u kidding, one problem, looking in mirror
—
Don’t worry Rick! You are just an opinion left winger parading as a “newsman” Now go get drunk and run somebody over again Ricky!
SuperSmart says: CaptainAmerica, yep, Rick has the DUI/death thing to deal with, no doubt.
But as for you: You openly support a racist organization that is using you and your brethren to foam hate — not descent, but hate — against a black President that you/they seem ok with until something tragic happens.
In light of this, to see you calling anyone out for anything is laughable.
CaptainAmerica says: SuperSmart:You openly support a racist organization that is using you and your brethren to foam hate
No, I didn’t go to the racist Trinity United for 20 years. I don’t support that black separatist church that openly preached hatred of Jews, whites and others. I also condemned Obama’s racist actions of verbally attacking a white police officer just because the victim was black. I also disagreed with Obama’s appointment of a racist Supreme Court justice.
And I certainly can’t stand that one of the top Senators is a former KKK Klegal– Robert Byrd.
Yes, there is alot of racism being practiced by Obama. Besides, you all can’t even get rid of your Klan man.
But I love how you lack any ability to actually debate a subject and you are reduced to throwing out lies of racism. So when the left hated Bush was it because he was white? When the Daily Ko’s did all those Hitler ads, posters of Bush it must have been because he was white. Never against the policies.
Oh what about Clinton, it must have been racism. He was America’s first black President. Everyone hated Clinton because of that.
And Jimmy Cater– the reason he was the worst President of the 20th century and he almost lost his renomination to a guy who was a drunk driving murderer– Ted Kennedy. Had to be racism there as well.
huffman1965 says: Fox News is Fair and Balanced because it has biased people from BOTH sides of the issues. The rest only have (at best) moderates, who they call conservative, and usually 2-3 liberals. There are not any objective reporters, just those who state their positions publicly and try to be fair. You can’t be fair if you don’t understand where you are next to everyone else.
Ummm – not to cause more of a stir, but FNC is the mainstream media. As the overall ratings leader, they are as mainstream as it gets. I like how they have determined themselves to not be mainstream as a convenient ploy for ratings.
For the record, no media organization is fair or balanced.
overall ratings leader – on cable. they are lower than network ratings.
Total Viewers: ABC: 7,240,000 / NBC: 7,150,000 / CBS: 5,160,000
• A25-54 viewers: ABC: 2,040,000 / NBC: 2,060,000 / CBS: 1,510,000
Although, FOX is not far behind them anymore…
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-oreilly-tops-one-million-in-demo-again-thursday-night/
Although…considering cable is 24/7 vs. one half hour/night for network news, they probably do clean their clocks in some manner.
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