[STOMP]

Giving insight into Scott McClellan's allegations on our press's feeble behavior in the lead up to the war and to why, Yellin had this exchange with Anderson Cooper yesterday...

I think the press corps dropped the ball at the beginning. When the lead-up to the war began, the press corps was under enormous pressure from corporate executives, frankly, to make sure that this was a war that was presented in a way that was consistent with the patriotic fever in the nation and the president’s high approval ratings.

And my own experience at the White House was that, the higher the president’s approval ratings, the more pressure I had from news executives — and I was not at this network at the time — but the more pressure I had from news executives to put on positive stories about the president.

I think, over time…

COOPER: You had pressure from news executives to put on positive stories about the president?

YELLIN: Not in that exact — they wouldn’t say it in that way, but they would edit my pieces. They would push me in different directions. They would turn down stories that were more critical and try to put on pieces that were more positive, yes. That was my experience.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/2...he-microscope/

NBC's Brian Williams has spoken since about how the Pentagon would call him if they didn't approve of his stations news content. Katie Couric has aired similar concerns... how does everyone feel about this?

STOMP

[hasoos]

I think that if all those groups didn't like it, then the story probably had a legitimate point, because that is how it usually works. I also think that if they don't like it, they should stick it where the son don't shine.

[maxiep]

I was waiting for you to start the thread on this book, STOMP. After you brought it up, I didn't feel it was my place to start the thread for you.

I believe 100% that public opinion directly sways news reporting, and sways it dramatically. Time Warner, GE, Disney, FOX and CBS are all publicly-held companies that have to meet earning expectations.

To me, it's damn distressing and it impacts news on all levels. I can remember Jason Quick saying that his editor would regularly tell him to make an article "more negative" because the Oregonian knew that Jail Blazer controversy sells papers. It didn't matter if it communicated the truth.

[sa1177]

News without emotion is boring....so of course it follows public oppinion and plays on our emotions. It's especially boring TV which of course is where all $$$ is.

[STOMP]

Originally Posted by maxiep

I was waiting for you to start the thread on this book, STOMP. After you brought it up, I didn't feel it was my place to start the thread for you.

I believe 100% that public opinion directly sways news reporting, and sways it dramatically. Time Warner, GE, Disney, FOX and CBS are all publicly-held companies that have to meet earning expectations.

To me, it's damn distressing and it impacts news on all levels. I can remember Jason Quick saying that his editor would regularly tell him to make an article "more negative" because the Oregonian knew that Jail Blazer controversy sells papers. It didn't matter if it communicated the truth.

Sounds like Peter Parker's editor. As much as I've blasted individual Blazer writers at the O, with all of them having the same basic negative agenda (especially a few years back) it always made sense that the editors were having them act in unison. Unfortunately I'd guess when this generation of Blazers becomes old news that they'll start tearing them down with rumor and innuendo all over again.

There seems to be a lot of different ramifications of SMc's book... I've been interested watching it play out and am still forming my opinions with the various aspects of it. Geez I heard McClellan claimed on the Today Show Thursday morning that Bush told him that he personally outed V.Plame... I guess congress is supposed to be drawing up a sopeana to have him testify to that and other things related to his printed observations.

Anyways, I started this thread to discuss the media's behavior/dynamics. I think what we are seeing is largely the result of deregulation that has allowed a few cooperations to own much of the country's media and control the message. If things are left in place in this regard, the 4th estate is certainly dead. I'd hope that we could address this issue... it's my belief Americans depend on a media independent of that stuff. One that doesn't cater it's reports to what is the least upsetting or to generate the most ratings but lend insight into whats what. I think many people have sensed this was the case for some time and seek out their news from less mainstream avenues on the web and have become more and more cynical about their government and country. Damn distressing is exactly right.

STOMP