Koppel vs. Olbermann - News, Objectivity, Truth and Profit

[IBCoupe]

During the Juan Williams/Keith Olbermann debates over the course of the past few weeks, there's been a quiet argument that's slowly been rising. It recently came to a head when Ted Koppel called out Keith Olbermann, Bill O'Reilly, and the rest of the opinion-broadcasting industry for maintaining a lack of objectivity, and, basically, the causing death of real journalism.

Argues Koppel, the drive for profits in "news" organizations like MSNBC and FOXNews has led to the downfall of quality journalism. The major news stations have eliminated their foreign bureaus (often keeping a bureau in London and flying a journalism for a day or two to make a story elsewhere instead of maintaining news forces in foreign countries, which speak the language, know the personalities, etc.), and they have substituted the presentation of facts for opinions laced with occasional facts. This, he argues, does a disservice to the audience, by failing to provide them with the tools they need to come to their own educated opinions.

Keith Olbermann, in his response, has argued that he was denouncing the Iraq invasion at the time, and that Ted Koppel's objectivity failed to see the errors. He also points to Murrow and Kronkite's famous opinions about McCarthy and Nixon (Koppel responded in an NPR interview that the power of those opinions was that they were so out of character - Murrow and Kronkite never gave their personal opinions prior to those incidents).

What are your thoughts on the matter?

[AZhitman]

By his very response, Olbermann confirms Koppel's position - He simply can't maintain objectivity. The fundamental mistake is in labeling Olbermann a "journalist" in the first place - he's not. That's not a slam against him, it's a bright light on the flawed premise of the entire argument.

Here's the thing: While Murrow and Cronkite certainly maintained [mostly] private positions on the things they reported on, they kept their commentary in check in large part. Times have indeed changed.

The simple solution is this: Take the Limbaugh / Beck / Colbert / Stewart et al route: Accept that you're an entertainer, not a journalist.

ARE there any more Dan Rathers?

[IBCoupe]

Has anybody seen my old friend Dan?
Can you tell me where he ran...

[AZhitman]

I miss Dan.

<-- Fully aware that there are many who don't.

[IBCoupe]

Is the only reason why the Bush/Air Force Reserve thing? Or were there other scandals I don't remember/am not aware of?

[AZhitman]

Not that I know of.

I just have to listen to the incessant ignorant spewings of our resident lefty gasbag old lady at work, and I vaguely recall her rambling on about how he should be run through a meat grinder and fed to hogs.

[heliochrome85]

I just have to listen to the incessant ignorant spewings of our resident lefty gasbag old lady at work, and I vaguely recall her rambling on about how he should be run through a meat grinder and fed to hogs.

its like being home with tariq and isaac! shes our shared bubbie. Just be happy i dont know your address or ill start sending you peta/greenpeace literature. printed with soyink on fairtrade post-use recycled paper.

[AZhitman]

I just have to listen to the incessant ignorant spewings of our resident lefty gasbag old lady at work, and I vaguely recall her rambling on about how he should be run through a meat grinder and fed to hogs.

its like being home with tariq and isaac! shes our shared bubbie. Just be happy i dont know your address or ill start sending you peta/greenpeace literature. printed with soyink on fairtrade post-use recycled paper.

Not even close.

This a$$ blames George Bush if she gets a chill or drops her pen.

Isn't recycled paper kinda rough? If so, bring it on - the extra-strength Charmin is pricey, and Daddy's trying to be frugal here.

[heliochrome85]

yeah, it is rough, but it makes mother earth (Gaia, if you remember Captain Planet) smile.

oh, and the peaceniks of which there are many here. ive never been angrier, and more at home in my life. I CHO-CHO-CHOOSE YOU NEW YORK!!!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY_LtUQlHKs[/youtube]



also, those people need to die in a fire. i hate them. "no i wont stop eating meat because it makes the baby lambs cry. that makes their meat tastier."

(this is what happens to your mind when you work in a nursing home. you start seeing signs of dementia, just as do your patients)

[IBCoupe]

Jim Gaffagan:

'Do you know what they do to those chickens?'
No, but it's delicious!