Broadcast nets rejects Obama admin’s attempt to block Fox
posted at 12:55 pm on October 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The collected Washington bureau chiefs of the major broadcast networks rejected a White House attempt to keep Fox News from participating in pool reports. Rather than cut Fox out of the pool, the broadcast bureau chiefs unanimously told the Obama administration that none of them would accept any interviews from administration officials. That forced the White House into retreat:
The Obama administration on Thursday failed in its attempt to manipulate other news networks into isolating and excluding Fox News, as Republicans on Capitol Hill stepped up their criticism of the hardball tactics employed by the White House.
The Obama administration on Thursday tried to make “pay czar” Kenneth Feinberg available for interviews to every member of the White House pool except Fox News. The pool is the five-network rotation that for decades has shared the costs and duties of daily coverage of the presidency.
But the Washington bureau chiefs of the five TV networks consulted and decided that none of their reporters would interview Feinberg unless Fox News was included.
The administration relented, making Feinberg available for all five pool members and Bloomberg TV.
We certainly give these broadcast networks plenty of criticism. Let’s take a moment to recognize their integrity. Jake Tapper stood up to Robert Gibbs earlier this week, and we wondered where the rest of the reporters at the White House were. They certainly showed up today.
Meanwhile, how bad is this for the White House? They now have all of the broadcast networks on record defending their competitor as a news organization. That reinforces reporting Fox News will do in the future, to the detriment of White House efforts to marginalize them. Plus, obviously, they look completely foolish in having to back down from their threat.
In an exclusive, Hot Air has a look at the press passes that the White House planned to issue if the other news broadcasters had caved:
Just kidding. Well, I hope so, anyway. (graphic courtesy HA reader Landshark)
Update: Perhaps this was a bad time for Media Matters to go all in against Fox, eh? Also, edited the headline for better accuracy.
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lol…
moonbatkiller on October 23, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Heckuva job, Rahmmy.
These White House jackasses are so incredibly inept at everything, it’s the stuff black comedies are made of.
NoDonkey on October 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Foreign leaders must be beginning to wonder if this knucklehead is even stable…
PatriotRider on October 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Credit where it is due. I applaud these other news outlets for doing the right thing. Good on them.
Richard Romano on October 23, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Wow, one more example of the pettiness of the Obama administration. Infantile at best.
milwife88 on October 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Isn’t that picture of Bambi from the Spiderman cover?
loudmouth883 on October 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Go to last night’s threads. We had liberals defending Obama’s decision to cut out Fox News. It was quite stunning, actually.
lorien1973 on October 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Racist!
Fallen Sparrow on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Racist.
ZJPolitical on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Kudos to the other organizations. This is good NEWS!
DOOF on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
And the Obama ass kicking continues.
pedestrian on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I noticed Hannity had a small banner inset on his show that made me chuckle.
……..Hannity……..
Not White House Approved
Ogabe’s childish behavior is getting punked from all sides.
fogw on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Beat me.
ZJPolitical on October 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I visualize a cartoon showing the two groups standing either side of a line-in-the-sand and staring down at it:
Obama: “Mom! They moved MY line!!!”
Yoop on October 23, 2009 at 1:01 PM
LOL, too funny.
They know full well that they are next.
Del Dolemonte on October 23, 2009 at 1:01 PM
whats this small feeling I’m feeling? Is this……….hope?
FontanaConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Wait a minute. Isn’t this old news?
keep the change on October 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM
They rightfully know that if they support this ousting of Fox News–if a Republican is in control next time, they won’t have any protection if Republicans decided to be asses as well.
Enoxo on October 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Brass balls followed by craven spinelessness. Thank God we live in such a peaceful, problem-free world or this administration might be in some trouble.
Chuck Schick on October 23, 2009 at 1:02 PM
FIFY
Del Dolemonte on October 23, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Well it’s about time.
Makes me wonder if O’Reilly and Hume and some of the old timers with extensive friends at their old homes at the networks picked up the phone and had a little chat.
John the Libertarian on October 23, 2009 at 1:03 PM
The First Amendment is still alive….for now.
4Freedom on October 23, 2009 at 1:03 PM
I suppose it is encouraging that some of the Media have discovered that the boots they have been licking really do taste of the s**t they have been shoveling for them all these years.
paragon27x on October 23, 2009 at 1:03 PM
the broadcast jackos should be more outraged with what the BO Admin wanted to do…chastise and go negitive on him would be a simple start of getting me excited about msm again.
hawkman on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
It shows you just how in the tank the other four are that Cesar Obama thought he could pull this off.
pedestrian on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Petty Little Dictator – 0
American News Providers – 1
Hening on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I applaud the bureau chiefs for closing rank around fox news but I question their intent. Most likely they see themselves on the receiving end of the administrations malice. When you get rid of the most troublesome network someone else rises to the most troublesome until there is no network left.
fourdeucer on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Well, I guess that whole 141 days as a useless Senator is starting not only to show, but is starting the burial. This administration is finished.
adamsmith on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
The Bureau chiefs are coming to realize a simple truth about the Obama Administration:
Today’s friend is tomorrows enemy.
portlandon on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Those clowns were paid Obama blog spammers.
They were text book.
rickyricardo on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
That press pass has Obama’s ears reduced by half. That makes it unreal on two (three) counts.
The reason the other networks stood up for Fox is they knew if this kind of idiocy could be enforced by our Fascist-in-chief against Fox, it could be enforced against THEM.
bradley11 on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Landshark, gotta tell you I LOVED the artwork! It caught my eye as soon as I clicked on the headline…
SouperConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Integrity? Who the hell cares about integrity when you can do THIS on the House floor…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgUCdefSW8&feature=player_embedded
PA, what were you thinking?!!!!
UnderstandingisPower on October 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Obama may have not stated “I am not losing sleep over this” a little different this morning…
right2bright on October 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM
This could be an Obamateurism! What a dork! Rampant amateurism and ignorance seem to be the daily hallmark of this “administration”.
ultracon on October 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM
The War on
TerrorFox is over.omnipotent on October 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Did the other networks report this as news? They stood up for FNC, but did they continue to cover for Obama?
rw on October 23, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Well, I hope this is a wake-up call, but considering how long it took the MSM to notice what was going on around them, I don’t think this kumbia moment will last long…
lovingmyUSA on October 23, 2009 at 1:06 PM
It was great the other organizations stood up for Fox, but they were standing up for themselves. Tapper might end up getting his team booted, too, and the precedence would be set for future presidents as well.
Possibly the fawning admiration by the press corp will be reduced to a non-drooling level after this.
michaelo on October 23, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Obama’s handlers: Quick we need to find a useless award to give him so he feels good about himself again. He’s on the verge of a meltdown.
MobileVideoEngineer on October 23, 2009 at 1:07 PM
The response was inevitable. I’m amazed nobody beat me to it.
That said, good on the other networks for standing up. This whole episode with FOX is destroying the President, and he’s too proud to see the damage he’s inflicting on himself.
Keep f***ing that chicken, Sotero.
Fallen Sparrow on October 23, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Da Chicaaaggaaaa Waaaay!
Mmmmm Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
SDarchitect on October 23, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Looks like we have a ton of material in the current WH for a case study into acute narcissism? The Maoists that habit WH are becoming quite unhinged !
Sandybourne on October 23, 2009 at 1:08 PM
I suppose if you’re in the old and new media, it’s just good manners to give credit and thanks.
Still, they didn’t do it to save the administration from further embarrassment? So, they don’t want Fox to be marginalized, just not this way? They weren’t worried they’d look really bad if they went along with the administration petty, ham-fisted little war?
OK, they did it on principle, if that’s the consensus.
Christien on October 23, 2009 at 1:08 PM
that’s the only tactical movement that they’re comfortable with…..
ted c on October 23, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Oh, man. Looks like their running out of room under the bus. And Media Myrmidons goes all-in with 2-7 off-suit with A-Q-J on the board! LOL! It doesn’t get better than this!
Phil-351 on October 23, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Obama’s bid for the Network Olympics falls short.
Loser.
Cicero43 on October 23, 2009 at 1:09 PM
What is so stunning to me is the complete lack of respect for the office of the Presidency. It’s like he’s captain of the kickball team and wants to take his ball and go home. Above all else, it’s frankly embarrassing to our country.
search4truth on October 23, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Of course. This “rejection” was all about self-preservation.
They’re not even reporting that this happened. Go check the news sites. It’s getting buried like everything else they don’t want people to know about this administration.
LibTired on October 23, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Me, too. Remember, that obama has never encountered opposition in his young life up to this point. He has lived a charmed existence, going from accolade to accolade. His skin never thickened as a politician’s skin is apt to. His rise to power was so quick, coming from nowhere, he never developed the temperament for this game.
Consequently, he is developing a sense of paranoia and persecution. That is very dangerous for the world considering he is now the world’s most powerful man. I joked before that if he loses the 2012 election, he will not surrender power peacefully and the White House could go into lock down mode. We are only 9 months into his presidency. At this rate, it could become like a scene out of Dr. Strangelove by 2012 with him playing General Jack Ripper on the base.
Hey, maybe the Mayans knew something. It will be fascinating to watch this play out. There are many ways to end the world, and most of them involve world leaders, paranoia, and nuclear weapons.
keep the change on October 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM
It hit me this morning the reason why the whinny house is going after FoxNews and stepped it up in the last month. After October 1st, the budget, everything is on the ones head and they can really no longer blame Bush. So, who do they blame, FoxNews, since it does not get its orders from the WH and is a real news organization
ConservativePartyNow on October 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM
The Emperor has not clothes
WyoMike on October 23, 2009 at 1:12 PM
This is just an over-step. Obama really isn’t tuned in. His “Alinksy” tactics aren’t really fool-proof.
AnninCA on October 23, 2009 at 1:14 PM
I sent emails to all the stations…gag…. thanking them for saving free speech in America.
Positive reinforcement is a good tacit I think.
Hey I watched the Leno monologue last night and he did some conservative jokes… his audience didn’t appear to understand them. Maybe it is an attempt to save his career.
If anyone started to really go after Obama like past Presidents they might get some market share back…
If you build it they will come…
petunia on October 23, 2009 at 1:14 PM
They need a villain. They always need a villain. Rush, Beck, Fox. Next week, it’ll be someone else.
lorien1973 on October 23, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Like I said earlier, he demonstrates all of the characteristics of a fatherless upbringing…
PatriotRider on October 23, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Some of you get riteous about “bearing of arms.” I so think you need to be reigned in.
But not on free speech.
AnninCA on October 23, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Maybe they put themselves in Fox’s shoes for a minute?
If you had 5 children, and had to spank 1, the other 4 are going to cringe not celebrate, knowing they could be next.
kooly on October 23, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Beck is the same as Keith Olberman to me, just flip side. They both spit.
But that has nothing to do with this story.
AnninCA on October 23, 2009 at 1:17 PM
What did the other four networks think would have happened if they had not refused, and how did that influence their individual and collective decision-making processes?
Christien on October 23, 2009 at 1:17 PM
The question still stands: WHY in the world would NBC stand up for FOX on anything? I know that they did, and I’m tentatively giving them credit…but something stinks about this.
MadisonConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Hussein and his Posse of Clowns got their hands slapped again? I guess it would be too much to ask Hussein to apologize to FOX for his arrogance…
BigMike252 on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Remember the Beautiful Magnificent Bestest First Lady Eva will be on Leno tonight! Should be good times!
SouperConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
The Alinsky rule re polarizing doesn’t work on groups like Fox and Chamber of Commerce
faraway on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Hey I thought they were the evil “Mainstream Liberal Media”. Fox News throws them under the bus every day for 24 hours. Now they are sticking up for Fox?
Decider on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Kudos indeed to the networks for standing firm when they had to — whether out of noble intentions or self interest, I’ll take it. However, as noted in a couple of earlier posts, they should be reporting this fact. It certainly seems newsworthy to me.
jwolf on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Ann, its the right to bear arms that has kept the right to free speech a right since 1791. The 2nd amendment is the enforcement arm for the rest of them.
jimmy2shoes on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
I’d like to bet on Bush.
LibTired on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Great Sigmoidian slips. Perfect for you, thanks!
Christien on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
I didn’t see anything on their websites when I went searching for a contact to send my comments to.
Baby steps I guess.
But as everyone now knows full well the only station that matters is Fox.
Did anyone see the dismal ratings shows on Cnn and Msnbc are getting? They get about as many viewers as live in Spokane Washington! They will not save this President with those numbers.
petunia on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
MadisonConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Are you smelling a set-up and a CYA regarding possible future administrative actions by Obama or Mark Lloyd?
kingsjester on October 23, 2009 at 1:19 PM
NBC knows that Obama will not win reelection. They also know that if this precedent were to be set, the next Prez will be inclined to tell them to pound sand.
jimmy2shoes on October 23, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I’m all for him going home, but he’ll have to leave the ball.
I still predict he’ll emulate LBJ and not even run for a second term. This is not going to end well.
NoDonkey on October 23, 2009 at 1:20 PM
They’re not standing up for Fox. They just don’t want to be next. The White House is already in their daily operations and they know that they could be one “wrong” (read: true) report from being booted.
LibTired on October 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
In the famous words of the beloved Homer J. ……
rabidamerican on October 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
But, but, Fox News is not a news organization!
/GrowFins desperately searching for more Media Matters quotes
Norwegian on October 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
You’re absolutely correct. I give zero credit for the other pool organizations standing up for FOX. Their only motivation was further loss of ratings, if they did not stand up to the White House. It had nothing to do with journalistic integrity.
PatriotRider on October 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
The right to bear arms is what protects the free speech.
John the Libertarian on October 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
First, they came for Fox News…
WordsMatter on October 23, 2009 at 1:22 PM
SouperConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM
It’s all Laura Bush’s fault. – Michelle Obama
NoDonkey on October 23, 2009 at 1:22 PM
They’ve beaten that drum already.
lorien1973 on October 23, 2009 at 1:22 PM
You know, this censorship and enemies list is hot news to all but three: Kathleen Parker, Meghan McCain and Christopher Buckley. I’m sure there are hundreds of things they’d rather talk about: oh, you stupid Conservatives, you’re still doing it wrong.
Marcus on October 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Good thing Obama’s really not losing any sleep over this.
BetsyBoss on October 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I’ll have my serving of schadenfreude with whipped cream and a cherry!
Bwahahahahahahahahahaa!!! Suck it Obama!
csdeven on October 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I voiced pretty much that exact opinion yesterday when I heard about this. NBC would love nothing more than for FOX to die a painful death. I’m thinking Rahm or somebody with some actual intelligence thought over the situation, realized someone screwed up, and did some damage control. Perhaps another “off the record” meeting.
MadisonConservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Yesterday we also had crr6 insisting that Obama wasn’t ‘attacking free speech’.
gwelf on October 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM
This whole ordeal has been very instructive in that it has fundamentally disapproved the premise here that the “MSM” has no integrity, is biased, and is corrupt. How does that crow taste guys?
Interesting thought experiment: If the situation were reversed, would FNC have extended CNN the same courtesy? Probably not.
crr6 on October 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM
President Approved Pundits = PAP
Christian Conservative on October 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I applaud the bureau chiefs and with no caveats. If it really is an administration that shares so much in beliefs with them, then it took real moral courage to stand by Fox News side and in the face an administration they wish success for politically.
hawkdriver on October 23, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Ya know if I didn’t know you I’d think that was snark. But alas.
Actually I think you have a point about the 2nd Amendment thing. There have been a few times that I have cringed at the guns are cocked talk. It can become borderline quickly.
Although last night I was so incensed that I was ready to die protecting liberty! Seriously, it is the first time I have thought that we might have to physically fight for our rights.
It is no small thing for a President to attack freedom of speech in an attempt to control the message. It went beyond over reaching right into DICTATING!
petunia on October 23, 2009 at 1:25 PM
If he was you wouldn’t have been able to post that dear. Quit the hysteria.
crr6 on October 23, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Apparently many on the Left are willing to ignore the idea that the WH is trying to control the media because they hate Fox. Freedom of speech is not important to them unless it is used as a two-by-four AGAINST the Right, then they’ll gnash their teeth about any attempt to limit it. If you read the nutroots comments it all is about “how mean and hateful” Fox is to the Obama, so of course they should be shunned
katiejane on October 23, 2009 at 1:25 PM
“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history.”
- Obama Inaugural
faraway on October 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Fox didn’t need the legitimacy of the other networks, the other networks need the legitimacy of Fox.
fourdeucer on October 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
I don’t buy the “they don’t it to happen to them” argument as the prime motive behind the four networks’ stand. It may be a consideration, of course.
If anyone takes down Fox, they want it to be them.
If anyone takes down a Nixonian president, they want it to be them.
Christien on October 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
It’s this kind of imagined moral relativity that convinces me you have absolutely no clue what conservatives believe in. Not even the slightest.
John the Libertarian on October 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Wasn’t that starfleet_moron? It’s hard to keep up with the stupidity. They are all the same.
lorien1973 on October 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Fox news deserves to be ostracized. They made up a story about a presidential candidate right before an election. They also meet behind closed doors with the President – just like those evil evil energy industry heads did with Bush!. Oh wait, this wasn’t Fox…
gwelf on October 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Chock another liberal up for defending Obama’s suppression of the media.
lorien1973 on October 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Nice catch, faraway! Somebody should embroider that on a pillow and send it to the White House.
califcon on October 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM
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