MoveOn Media action: Stop CNN from becoming FOX.

[madfloridian]

From Noah T. Winer, MoveOn.org Civic Action

Dear Media Action member,

We recently alerted you to CNN's decision to hire right-winger Bill Bennett as a talking head. Yesterday, it got even worse: CNN Headline News announced plans to attract Fox News viewers by giving an hour of airtime every day to right-wing talk radio host Glenn Beck.1

Variety magazine reports CNN "will look to build Beck into the type of TV personality that could siphon viewers from Bill O'Reilly, Joe Scarborough and other conservative hosts."2 There's not a single progressive host on CNN. Why is CNN trying to imitate Fox News? CNN's president thinks progressives don't really care, saying "they don't get too worked up about anything."3

This isn't just a minor misstep by CNN—they are caving to years of pressure from the right-wing. CNN executives are acting as accomplices in the right-wing's war on journalism. It's time for us to strike back—hard.

Please call CNN right away. Say no to CNN hiring right-wing pundit Glenn Beck and no to CNN trying to become a Fox News clone.

CNN headquarters in Atlanta
404-827-1500 (Ask for comment line—then option 1 to leave message, option 2 for live person)

Calling is most effective. But if you can't call or if the switchboard is closed, you can e-mail CNN using this webform:
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?39

Glenn Beck isn't just a little bit conservative—he is about as controversial as it gets. Our friends at watchdog group Media Matters for America have collected just a few of his outlandish comments:

On families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: "his is horrible to say, and I wonder if I'm alone in this—you know, it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year."
On Hurricane Katrina survivors who remained in New Orleans: "And that's all we're hearing about, are the people in New Orleans. Those are the only ones that we're seeing on television are the scumbags...It's just a small percentage of those who were left in New Orleans, or who decided to stay in New Orleans, and they're getting all the attention."
Talking to a caller who claimed to have tortured prisoners in U.S. custody: "I've got to tell you, I appreciate your service ... Good for you. Good for—I mean, good for you...I have to tell you, when all is said and done, I'm glad people like you are on our side."
On filmmaker Michael Moore: "Hang on, let me just tell you what I'm thinking. I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore, and I'm wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it. No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out—is this wrong?"
On the father of Nick Berg, American civilian executed in Iraq: "The want to be a better person today than I was yesterday says he's a dad, he's grieving, but I don't buy that. I'm sorry, I don't buy it. I think he is grieving, but I think he's a scumbag as well. I don't like this guy at all."4
Progressives have no voice on CNN. And hiring Glenn Beck as a full-time host under any circumstances is unacceptable. CNN needs to hear from you—please call now.

CNN headquarters in Atlanta
404-827-1500 (Ask for comment line—then option 1 to leave message, option 2 for live person)

Calling is most effective. But if you can't call or if the switchboard is closed, you can e-mail CNN using this webform:
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?39

Thanks for all you do.

–Noah T. Winer and Adam Green
MoveOn Media Action
Wednesday, January 18th, 2005

Sources:
1. "Headline News adds conservative Beck," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 17, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1371

2. "CNN names new headliner; Beck is net's new newsie," Variety, January 17, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=1370

3. "CNN's New Boss: Progressives 'Don't Get Too Worked up About Anything,'" Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting, April 12, 2005
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2489

4. "CNN reportedly hires radio host Glenn Beck," Media Matters for America, January 17, 2006
http://mediamatters.org/items/200601170001

[ewagner]

1. Done n't

[Armstead]

2. Done

Had to suffer through a long introductory message but left a voice mail.

Told them they are losing their credibility among a large segment of people who should be their viewers. There is at least half the country who want an alternative to Fox News and conservatives.

"You are losing your audience."

[madfloridian]

3. Anderson Cooper even looked Fox like last night.

He had two fools condemning Hillary, and then had Jesse Jackson on to defend her....but he did not defend he just changed the subject.

It was so obvious.

[Armstead]

4. The "stake out" of Ray Nagan was priceless

Nagan cancelled plans to go on the show and went to a meeting. CNN staked out the restaurant to get to the "real truth" of why Nagan chose to do something besides babble on CNN.

It was a true Bill O'Reilly Moment.

Anderson seems to have bought his own publicity these days. He's "keeping them Honest."....Yeah Andy. Maybe you should start with keeping your own damn newsroom honest.

[Village Idiot]

8. It was all so very strange...

a News program devoted to Race? On CNN??? I have never seen so many sourceless statistics in all my born days!!! Brrrrrr.....

[KoKo]

11. Sounds like CNN has become Advocates of an Agenda rather than

bystanders...when it comes to the Repugs..that is.

All of their shows seem to be agitating for negativity. Shows the agenda of their management doesn't it? Just like MSNBC and FOX.

All to keep the public's eyes off the imploding Criminal Operation in DC.

[otohara]

5. Damage Is Done, He's Been Hired, It Will Be Undone

soon IMO - Beck is so offensive - it will be just a matter of time when he says something despicable, CNN will have no choice but to fire him.

Nonetheless, I called and e-mailed CNN.

[sui generis]

6. did this yesterday

and again this morning, and I'll do it again.

[KoKo]

7. Done... n/t

[Loonman]

9. Too late, Wolf Blitzer already a card-carrying Bush bot

Hiring Glen Beck is just the coup de grace.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

10. i say let them. let them show their true colors.

let them regret it.