Thanks for participating in today's live stream. That panel will play at 8 pm tonight here at grittv.org. We'll be streaming live again tomorrow at 12 eastern to discuss none other than Sarah Palin.
Today on our Monday media roundtable: Does media criticism work? You betcha. Especially, it seems, when it comes from the Right. What makes their attacks more effective than the left's? And what do you think of MSNBC's decision to take pundits Olbermann and Matthews out of the news anchors' chairs? Our roundtable includes Kerry Eleveld Senior Political Reporter and News Editor of The Advocate, Chris Owens radio host of “Black Politics with Chris Owens” on Air America, Ka Chan communications director of the New York Community Media Alliance, and Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
We'll be streaming live at 12.00 (noon) Eastern time.
* EMAIL your questions to laura@grittv.org.
* POST your comments at GRITtv.org.
* CALL in at 866-466-2961.
truthdig reports that Olbermann himself initiated the move:
http://www.truthdig.com/eartot….._matthews/
“The network was under pressure, both internal and external, to rein in its two leading men, whose politics are well known. Olbermann himself initiated the move.”
By GRITtv on September 8th, 2008 at 11:53 am
What do the panelists think about Palin?
By Winston on September 8th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
That’s why I call it “the GOP/Media Complex”.
The corporate press giants have been beholden to the Republicans since before he zapped the Fairness Doctrine for them in 1987.
By Phoenix Woman on September 8th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I think it is a sorry state that the cable news Main Stream Media does not have room in its pantheon for a liberal slant at the anchor position.
I am loath to draw a juxtaposition with the Faux news, but it is there in stark contrast. The reason I watch (watched) MSNBC was to find a cable media outlet that allowed me to suck in the infotainment without feeling the need to scream at the television overly much. Keith Olberman provided me that outlet.
I am not under any impression that MSNBC provided me unbiased news, or real news of any sort, for that matter. The media blackout of the RNC riots are an excellent example. For all the supposed “liberal” bias, no MSM news outlet gave even the most remote form of adequate attention to that very serious new story. Who are they kidding. They are no more reporters than David Gregory is an investigative journalist…maybe that’s an obvious example…how ’bout cable news channels provide no more real news than Entertainment Tonight provides real entertainment. Just because the word is in the title, doesn’t make it so.
So, what am I gonna do. I’ll turn ‘em off and get an hour or so of my evening back. I’ll talk to my kids more, scream at the TV less and go for a nice roller-blade, it’ll be good for me.
I don’t have a Nielson box, so no one will care ‘cept me. But, you know what, that’s real news in my life!
By UrbanGorilla on September 8th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I second your sentiments.
By LS on September 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
If McInsane does win, which is still very unlikely IMO, it will be because too many Americans still consume Conglomerate Media and believe it. There was an initial explosion of the New Media a few years ago, but it has plateau-ed.
If there was actual “Press,” the hypocrisy and constant downright lies of McInsane would be called out for all to see. Instead now, they are being covered up, and this is the part most fail to understand (even here) – it’s INTENTIONAL!
We need to figure out how to grow our numbers in the New Media. It is the only way we’ll be able to overtake the Death and Destruction loving War Profiteers that currently control our Federal government and Conglomerate Media.
FDL is trying, but it’s up to we the people to actually change our behaviors.
By bonkers on September 8th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
KO will be more effective in his new role. He was great at separating his responsibilities as a commentator and an anchor. Tweety is and idiot no matter whose side he takes. This is much ado about nothing.
By Raven on September 8th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
No, that’s why “we” call it that. “they” call it the liberal media.
By Raven on September 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
hi – GRITtv producer here:
we’re starting to stream live at noon more often (as in, every Mon-Thurs, 9am Pacific, instead of only Wednesdays)
if you are so inclined, follow us on Twitter — announcing the topics, guests, etc
http://twitter.com/grittv
tomorrow’s live panel gets down in the Palin-opolis
“Responding to Palin: What’ll work?”
send your thoughts, comments and questions for that panel to laura at grittv dot org
By LisaG on September 8th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
The Republicans live by the mantra, ”We are not being treated fairly.”
It is their main argument whenever there is no other argument to be had. The Republicans never mention that they have the lion’s share of all the talk radio out there….that they have Fox News to preach to their choir, and to a lesser extent, ABC. So that would leave the progressives with….what? Neutral CNN, NBC and CBS, plus one progrssive outlet, MSNBC. And now that the boys have been bad, and actually pointed out that there are two sides to the political coin, and the right now sees a network doing what Fox does all day everyday, now, conservatives don’t feel it’s fair. Well, boo hoo hoo.
I am getting more done with all the tv pundits everyday. This may the last straw.
By kathyinstlouis1 on September 8th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Olbermann and Matthews caused their own downfall by the petty bickering and the inability to stay focused on their jobs. NBC loved the opportunity to block the left’s advance, but those two gave them plenty of rope.
But all is not lost. If Obama wins in November, I think it quite likely that Olbermann could be tapped for White House press secretary. I can’t think of a more attractive candidate. Matthews would make a great Chief of Staff to Biden. Having them move into politics would broaden the stage for more Rachel Maddows and David Shusters. Brokaw will not last past an Obama second term, and Viacom Chairman Redstone, is already quite elderly. the future is promising, we just have to wait and see how it turns out.
By JimMontague on September 8th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
It won’t effect anything at all. I will continue to watch all upcoming debates on C-span without all the chattering pundits, and then watch Keith O for his opinions and coverage of the bad guys on countdown.
The right will be watching on fox, so who cares.
It does suck though that the whining on the right can actually influence a network, but we already know that we have to work twice as hard to get the information that we need to hear.
This is just more of the same.
By gallery on September 8th, 2008 at 4:48 pm