Wall Call: Fox News Only Network To Carry Obama’s Berlin Speech

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by Steve Krakauer | 3:13 pm, November 9th, 2009

» 9 comments

Pres. Barack Obama delivered his remarks on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall today in a video message during the ceremonies in Germany (there was a little controversy about him not appearing in person). In his place – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke first.

And which cable news network was the only one to carry both live? Fox News.

In fact, Fox News has carried the majority of the speeches and events at the ceremony today, which has seen tens of thousands turn out for the festivities. CNN has cut in a couple times, and MSNBC far less, although both networks have devoted segments to the anniversary. But just like the health care story and Fort Hood coverage this weekend, Fox News was the network to devote the most time to the news event.

Fox News has taken some shots about its role as a news network, from the White House and CNN, and through these breaking news events we have seen their coverage extend beyond that of their competitors. Of course, their detractors will point to prime time, where CNN is more newsy than Fox News and MSNBC, and to a very clear anti-Obama Administration stance from programs like Glenn Beck‘s and Sean Hannity‘s.

From a purely symbolic perspective, Fox News being the only network to carry an Obama speech – of any kind – is an attention-grabbing moment. But the Berlin Wall anniversary is less about Obama (and Clinton), and far more about Ronald Reagan. Of course, we knew the conventional wisdom about the way Fox News thinks of former Pres. Reagan.

Here’s what the other two networks looked like during Obama’s speech:

Here’s the domino fall symbolizing the fall of the Berlin Wall – it was carried live on Fox News and CNN:

> Update: Here’s the Clinton/Obama speeches:

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Zakk

So, let me get this straight. Obama will go to Copenhagen, Denmark to lobby for the Olympics to come to HIS hometown. But he can’t find time to go to Germany to celebrate the fall of communism in Germany? He sends a video? VERY Presidential.
ImNotBlue

“They’re still not a ‘real news organization,’” says the folks on the left, “even though they’re the only one’s covering important and interesting national news.” Oy vey… CNN and MSNBC, are you guys even trying anymore?
m

OMG CNN and MSNBC have a liberal bias they follow his every move and suck up to Obama all the time.

Not.
Fidoohki

well you have to remember, this is not a good day for communist so I suspect alot of
Obama’s staff is in mourning… ;P

Seriously though, I’m glad they did cover it becasue it IS newsworthy. It marked the end
of an era that could have easily ended far far worse…
TfT

Obama made it about himself, no mention of Reagan, no mention of Thatcher….but hey….who woulda thought that in 2008 we would have elected a black man President. Unbelievable.
sarainitaly

“Few would have seen on that day that… that their American ally would be led by a man of African descent.”

GAWD! he makes EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING about him.

I doubt they gave it an ounce of thought. Most people aren’t obsessed with Obama’s skin color, like he is, obviously.

Hillary looks really good – she has a snappy new hair do! She looks very presidential, there with the other world leaders.
ImNotBlue

m says:
November 9, 2009 at 7:20 pm

You think they’re not following him around this time, is evidence that they’re not in the tank for him. Really? It’s because they’re crummy news organizations, and don’t have the money to do a good job anymore! There’s a difference.
Sunnyr

For not being a “real news organization” Fox had excellent coverage on the Berlin Wall Anniversary. They even aired the Community-Organizer-In-Chief’s speech. Naturally he had to include himself in the speech. It’s ALWAYS about HIM. ugh!
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