Video: Reporters from Left & Right equally arrogant
posted at 6:55 pm on September 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Via Greg Hengler, we get to see that the one true constant in the media is not necessarily liberal or conservative slant, but arrogance. In a rare moment of perfectly balanced toolhood, reporters from MS-NBC and Fox both find it necessary to broadcast live from the Values Voter Summit, disturbing the people who paid money to attend and to travel to the conference, by talking over the speakers at the podium. Come feel the love as all of the media people act like arrogant, condescending brats:
The most hilarious part of both parts is the insistence that both networks are doing the conferees a favor by showing the speakers — and then talking over them so no one in the room or on television can hear what they’re saying. It’s the height of arrogance, as somehow their need to use the podium as a backdrop and talk over the speakers trumps the ability of the paying conferees to hear the program. Nowhere in this does it occur to either Fox or MS-NBC that they could have positioned the reporters outside the conference hall to deliver their report, even leaving the door open in the back to show the dais without disturbing the people in the hall. I’ve attended that conference, and I know darned well that’s easily done.
The pinnacle of irony comes, of course, when both reporters complain that the people asking them to pipe down and take it somewhere else are heckling them. Cluelessness clearly knows no bounds of ideology or editorial slant.










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People quietly asking reporters to stop making so much noise during a speech in hushed tones is apparently “shouting down the press”.
D0WNT0WN on September 18, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Hey ED! These people MAKE the news! It revolves around THEM. Why if it wasn’t for THEM there would be no news!
GarandFan on September 18, 2009 at 6:59 PM
I usually like Rosen, but I saw this earlier today–and Rosen acted like a jacka**.
Sorry, Ed, if I stepped over the line.
BuckeyeSam on September 18, 2009 at 6:59 PM
I hear Celebrity Jeopardy is looking for a few more contestants…
Seven Percent Solution on September 18, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Reporters remind me of the little kid that wouldn’t shut up at church, and the parents that didn’t discipline them. You just wanted to pick up the hard cover hymn book and beat the living crap out of them.
MDWNJ on September 18, 2009 at 7:02 PM
The “Press” is a device and a means, not a class of people, who have some greater freedom and privilege than the rest of us.
beatcanvas on September 18, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Well acording the the Columbia Journalism Reveiw Hanna and O’keefe arent real journalists either
You know because they are not the “Right” kind of journalist.
William Amos on September 18, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Damn straight, Ed.
You hit this nail on the head.
aquaviva on September 18, 2009 at 7:06 PM
“…but we’re credentialed press!”
LOL
commenter on September 18, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Norah: WWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
cmsinaz on September 18, 2009 at 7:09 PM
+1000
cmsinaz on September 18, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I honestly think the right needs to treat reporters and journalists a lot better… Robert Stacy McCain and Conor Friedersdorf have written good articles about this….
ninjapirate on September 18, 2009 at 7:11 PM
I haven’t watched this video yet…
ninjapirate on September 18, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Perhaps the organizers shouldn’t have invited the press if they didn’t want the press to act like, er, press.
Their attitudes are nothing new. And we’d laughing, mocking, or condemning attendees rather than the press if this occurred at Yearly Kos.
amerpundit on September 18, 2009 at 7:13 PM
The Fox coverage was more respectful after the fact, at least.
DaveS on September 18, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Common courtesy is not something taught anymore it seems, anywhere.
bluemarlin on September 18, 2009 at 7:13 PM
There were two opportunities to have made this work, report in between the speakers or report from the foyer with tape shots of speakers. Kind of silly by all involved.
Cindy Munford on September 18, 2009 at 7:14 PM
The press is press. It’s going to stand at the back of the room, talk to the camera, and be audible. Were the Values Voters organizers so ignorant to reality that they thought the press would act differently for them?
amerpundit on September 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Why…how dare those paying attendees request a bit of politeness from a couple of arrogant ass reporters.
///
soundingboard on September 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM
was thinking the same thing…
cmsinaz on September 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM
What else do you expect from a media run by foreign bankers and global corporate interests?
BobAnthony on September 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM
No matter their slant, I don’t think journalists are known for being considerate.
Monica on September 18, 2009 at 7:16 PM
They’re not. But then they shouldn’t have been invited when they’re renowned for being inconsiderate.
That would be like inviting Cindy Sheehan to CPAC and then condemning her when she acts like Cindy Sheehan. You know how she’s going to act, so don’t be mad at her when she does what she does.
amerpundit on September 18, 2009 at 7:17 PM
And like I said, we’d be making fun of the lefties if they did the same thing to the press at Yearly Kos.
amerpundit on September 18, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Columbia Journalism Review article #2
William Amos on September 18, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Dang, I missed the word “credentialed” in the First Amendment.
I’ve always read the First Amendment as Freedom of Speech being the guy on a soapbox on the town square and Freedom of the Press as someone who wanted to publish and distrubute their words/speech to a broader audience.
Also, the First Amendment refers to The People, not “The Selected Few of the Properly Credentialed People.
The reporters were rude and arrogant and totally clueless. They complain that they were just doing their jobs.
What if the custodial crew came into the studio with their vacuum cleaners and floor polishers running and distrupted a broadcast or interview? Hey, they were just doing their jobs and they were invited into the building to do them….
There is a time and place for everything and the reporters blew it.
SouthernRoots on September 18, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I was disappointed in Mr. Rosen, he cracks me up normally.
Cindy Munford on September 18, 2009 at 7:23 PM
how racist of those people to demand civilized behavior…racists I tell ya!
johng on September 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM
It would be nice to see a speaker call them out in the manner that a teacher would to a disruptive student.
“Mr. Rosen, is there something you’d like to share with all of us?”
TugboatPhil on September 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Nor common sense.
Rovin on September 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Felt the same way, but he did handle himself much better than the other MSN dork did.
javamartini on September 18, 2009 at 7:25 PM
MSNBC, eerr.
javamartini on September 18, 2009 at 7:25 PM
They weren’t invited into the studio at the time to do so. And someone should probably stop them when they start setting up the vacuums.
These camera crews and live shots don’t get set up on a whim. It takes time — plenty of time for the people running the event to have said something about live shots. Obviously they didn’t.
amerpundit on September 18, 2009 at 7:26 PM
They are both pathetic but notice how MSNBC tries to spint it? Fox at least calls it for what it is, people are upset cause they are being disturbed.
The Notorious G.O.P on September 18, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Didn’t that just seem like a major rationalization as to why the haven’t been doing their jobs and that they don’t plan to change in the near future? Definitely three years, possibly seven.
Cindy Munford on September 18, 2009 at 7:27 PM
what a bunch of jackasses.
ramrants on September 18, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I liked the anchor at CNN who felt that they were only trying to bring those “great speakers” to the public’s attention. Either that was a mistake or she choked on it later, probably both.
Cindy Munford on September 18, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Well, at least the FOX anchor didn’t go into full bitch-out mode after.
Emily M. on September 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Oopsie, I meant MS-NBC, my apologies to CNN.
Cindy Munford on September 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Nor common sense.
Rovin on September 18, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Can’t teach common sense, you have it or you don’t, but if you have common sense and use it theres a good chance that somebody will call you a racist.
SHARPTOOTH on September 18, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Everyone was a jerk except the FOX anchor – he’s the only one who didn’t go into full on b!tch-out mode.
Emily M. on September 18, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Oh. My comment did get posted. Disregard the second one then, heh.
Emily M. on September 18, 2009 at 7:32 PM
MSMBC…aren’t you coming to the party a little late? Where were you months ago when you should have been doing your job????
At least Fox tried to move on rather than complain like two little girls on MSNBC.
Both should have been away from the crowd….it was rude to be talking while there was a speaker.
yoda on September 18, 2009 at 7:37 PM
It was worth repeating, Emily.
Tuning Spork on September 18, 2009 at 7:37 PM
MSMBC = MSNBC
yoda on September 18, 2009 at 7:38 PM
There is never a reason to be rude, period.
PrincipledPilgrim on September 18, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Wolf gave empirical evidence last night… Communications majors: lowest SAT scores of college entrants not expecting summers off…
phreshone on September 18, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Gee, cannot imagine why the press is so despised.
Oh, yeah, it’s because they are too dumb to realize they are interrupting people and too dumb to just move their live shot.
Considering James Rosen comes off as having the intellectual heft of a fruit fly, he really should not try to have a conversation with people who understand what the speakers are saying.
And Norah is so rude and condescending that she should consider taking some time off and view some tape of herself and evaluate if she wants to be a journalist or a perpetual member of rush selection of a low-class sorority.
Branch Rickey on September 18, 2009 at 7:50 PM
The event featured exhibitor booths too. C-Street was giving away “Adultery for Dummies” books.
Good4Onan on September 18, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Revolution is Coming to America!!
It could be either side (Left or Right) that starts it, but the country is becoming more divided, not less. Politicians (both parties) receive corporate campaign donations. Well, corporations have board of directors who are foreigners so we actually have foreigners, via campaign contributions, deciding America’s political campaigns & future. Both sides are guilty.
I also read the underground book & it was great!! Read it & see how a small town (maybe your town) stands up to decade career politicians & Federal tyranny & start the 2nd American Revolution. I bought 2 for my friends. It changed my outlook on what is really happening in America.
This may be the only time in your life that you can ‘make your history & leave a legacy for your grandchildren’. Take a stand and step into the streets as the book shows!
(booksbyoliver.com)
ctcb05 on September 18, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Compromise. Leave camera on. Make mouth shut.
kurtzz3 on September 18, 2009 at 8:42 PM
It’s like Ebert critiquing the movie while you’re trying to watch it.
- The Cat
MirCat on September 18, 2009 at 8:43 PM
I’d like to see how they cover the Symphony.
ronsfi on September 18, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Fox definitely handled the situation more appropriately.
ronsfi on September 18, 2009 at 8:48 PM
What was MSNBC complaining about? All that noise for the 22 people who watch the network?
kurtzz3 on September 18, 2009 at 8:51 PM
That Linda lady was wonderful.
Is she single?
God, MSNBC are such complete a-holes.
Sapwolf on September 18, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Those racists, don’t they know Beyonce made the best video evah?!
Sapwolf on September 18, 2009 at 9:00 PM
The live and taped standups happen all the time.
The event organizers should set the ground rules for the reporters.
The reporters can record the speakers and take reaction shots of the crowd, but the standups and interviews either take place during breaks or outside the meeting room.
slp on September 18, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Yep.
Sapwolf on September 18, 2009 at 9:07 PM
+1
I noticed it as well. He wasn’t like the CNN anchors and saying “those stupid people are interrupting us while we ‘make television’”, the FOX anchor said “I’ve been to events like this and clearly folks want to listen to the speakers”.
That’s actually quite a noticable contrast.
CPL 310 on September 18, 2009 at 9:18 PM
James Rosen = Douchebag.
V15J on September 18, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Clearly a key part of Journalism School is getting de-clewed.
njcommuter on September 18, 2009 at 10:10 PM
EXCUUUUUSE ME!
Cant you see I’m on TV?!
Socmodfiscon on September 18, 2009 at 10:32 PM
God what douchebags.
KSgop on September 18, 2009 at 11:14 PM
There is sooo much that is wrong with what the MSNBC crew said, I can’t even begin to analyze it. I like how they view their purpose there as almost exposing what’s going on there. How can they talk about letting viewers hear the speakers, when the people around them can’t even hear them. You can hear them in the background.
Nothing he or she said that wasn’t arrogant had a relation to reality. I mean can’t these guys get their shots of the speakers, and do voice overs and location shots outside the door.
Axeman on September 19, 2009 at 12:13 AM
You’re crazy, Ed. The reporters weren’t arrogant — they were trying to do their jobs. Get real – the organizers are at fault. You invite cameras and reporters into an event expecting them to cover it, so what do you think they’re going to do, pantomime? The organizers should have either staged them outside or set boundaries for when they could do live shots. I don’t blame either reporter… and I don’t blame the people who complained because they couldn’t hear. The Values Voters organizers didn’t think it through – any entry level PR person would know better.
D2Boston on September 19, 2009 at 12:16 AM
If it’s the organizers’ fault, it’s only because they didn’t realize that broadcast journalists are douchebags who apparently lack common sense or instincts for common courtesy.
Anyone with a functioning brain should have known that broadcasting during a speech, in direct earshot of the attendees, in the vicinity of the speaker, was a stupid idea.
Kensington on September 19, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Would any reporter think it’s OK to stand on the floor of the House chamber and do a “live shot” during a speech by the POTUS? Of course not.
How about a “live shot” from the aisle of the church during the Kennedy funeral? No?
I wonder why not? Is it because Congress doesn’t allow reporters on the floor to interrupt a session, and no church will allow a reporter inside the sanctuary to talk during a funeral?
I put a big chunk of the blame the organizers for allowing these guys to set up where their yammering would make it hard for the attendees to hear the speakers they’d paid to hear.
The rule should be: Bring in your cameras and microphones for crowd shots if you like, but no talking during a speech; we’ll provide a pool feed of the video and audio of the speaker; and you can do your “I’m standing here proving that I’m a real reporter” routine out front.
The Monster on September 19, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Game’s over folks. The Old media is discredited and unwanted. We ARE hostile to them, and should be. It’s way over time for the OLD MSM to shut the doors and find new jobs. We don’t want them, and I’ll be glad to see them get what they’ve earned from the people.
davecatbone on September 19, 2009 at 5:19 AM
You are too funny but it is interesting that they badgered that woman into giving her name. She’s probably going to get the Joe the Plumber treatment now. I’m kidding but why did he need to know who’s telling him to pipe down?
Cindy Munford on September 19, 2009 at 6:27 AM
I don’t think that is anywhere near ‘equally arrogant’.
How many people had to tell the MSNBC idiot he was interrupting? He NEVER caught on that he might actually be in the wrong. Neither did the equally clueless hag in the studio.
It only took one guy to speak up before the studio guy at FOX started to get it – although it went right over the head of the reporter at the event.
Mr Purple on September 19, 2009 at 6:31 AM
Am I the only woman here who would risk a night,(or two or three), just to be able to slap the crap out of Norah O’Donnell? She so rubs me the wrong way, everytime I see clips of her.
Yes, this was bad planning on the organizers part, but as so many here have pointed out, USE YOUR BRAIN. If people tell you to leave, you are interrupting, LEAVE. I add my disappointment to everyone else’s. Rosen acted all high and mighty, too. Normally that’s Carl Cameron’s job……
di butler on September 19, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Funny that the press is upset about being shushed because “they were invited”. Didn’t the attendees pay to go and hear the speakers? So who deserves more consideration?
katiejane on September 19, 2009 at 11:46 AM
“Don’t touch the microphone” tee-hee.
What tools!
FinallyRight on September 19, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I don’t know what we’d do without FOX, but sometimes I feel like smacking the crap outta them.
argos on September 19, 2009 at 9:17 PM
I stopped watching all three cable “news” regularly some time ago
V-rod on September 19, 2009 at 11:09 PM
EPIC FACEPALM.
Reaps on September 20, 2009 at 7:27 AM
“we can’t make television quietly”
…Then go into the foyer?
Reaps on September 20, 2009 at 7:28 AM
rofl@the old guy in the fox shot though. It’s like he’s haunting the reporter
I’d like to think the event organisers weren’t so silly to actually invite the press in to do ‘crossover’ interviews. They probably expected them to set up cameras and do shots, either stock footage for later or live pans while the reporters, once again, talked outside - or at least off to the side waaaaaaaaay down the back without lighting equipment and whatnot
Reaps on September 20, 2009 at 7:32 AM