EXCLUSIVE: CNN Developing Broadband Channel
"NewsStream Live" Set For Q1 2005 Launch; ISP Subscription Model Planned

Only on CableNewser: CNN is in the early stages of development on a 24-hour broadband news channel for Internet users, CableNewser has learned.
"They are launching a new top-secret channel," a source close to CNN says. The channel, called CNN NewsStream Live, is targeted for a first quarter 2005 launch.
"It's just entering development," the source says. "It will not suck as much as ABC News Live."
It is being planned as part of a broadband redesign of CNN.com. The channel format is nowhere near finalized. "I think it will be a wheel format," the source says.
The channel will target users at work without a TV nearby, the source says. Users will subscribe to the channel via their ISP.
"Your ISP will pay for your subscription just like your cable operator pays to carry CNN," the source says.
Some CNN executives have floated the notion that the content model will shift to online subscriptions -- in essence, an Internet version of cable TV's business model.
CNN's television feeds cannot be simulcasted online, due to cable licensing restrictions. The network will be able to estimate the number of viewers by measuring the number of simultaneous feeds.
A CNN spokesperson declined to confirm the project, but said: "CNN.com has a very active product development group, and we are considering many ways to enhance our online offerings." 12:28:59 AM

MSNBC Hires Weather Anchor; McLaughlin Starts In July
Arizona meterologist Sean McLaughlin will become a weather anchor for MSNBC in early July. He will provide "coverage of national weather events weekdays" between 9am and 4pm, and serve as weather anchor for the Sunday 'Today' show, the 12 News web site says.
"Sean is multi-talented, and that's what we look for at MSNBC," Mark Effron says. "He can communicate important and potentially life-impacting weather news, and will report from the scene of major weather stories. He has a way about him that connects with all kinds of viewers." Looks like MSNBC's focus on weather is expanding... 12:26:11 AM

Kurtz Should Write A Book About The FOX Effect
Howard Kurtz was pitched a lot of media bias questions in his WP online chat Monday, and swung at several of them:
> "Democratic officials told me a few weeks ago that they find Fox's chief political correspondent, Carl Cameron, to be extremely fair"
> "The rise of Fox News, and the continued popularity of such radio talkers as Rush and Hannity, has created the impression that conservatives are really shaping the media agenda. And I happen to think such diversity is a good thing."
> "Hillary Clinton went on Fox News Sunday yesterday, and Howard Dean was recently on Hannity & Colmes, so they, at least, must have thought they'd get an even shake." 12:21:48 AM

World War II, Through The Cable News Prism
Robert Cox writes: "After too much Abu Ghraib, I turned off the cable news and switched over to The History Channel the other day which got me to wondering how some of the major events of World War II would have been reported by the cable news networks if Bush had been in charge." 12:16:10 AM

Hardball Teams Up With Posties
The lower-thirds had The Washington Post logo smack dab next to Hardball's. The show exclusively played an audio tape the Post obtained of a military hearing. Chris said the newspaper would have more details tomorrow, and urged viewers to log onto the web site "for more photos and documents." The graphic on-screen had the Post URL. WP's Dana Priest narrated a package about historical interrogation tactics. (It's about time that MSNBC/WP/Newsweek collaboration was evident on TV!) 12:14:03 AM

Tom Shales Critiques The Speech
Tom Shales with an odd TV review of Bush's performance: "Over on CNN, blank-faced correspondent John King told anchor Paula Zahn that the speech contained "no new policies...at all," thus inadvertently helping to explain why only cable networks and not the big four broadcast networks bothered to carry it." 12:02:03 AM

Bush Dominates Cable's Primetime
Despite the White House's insistence that Bush was delivering "remarks," not a "speech" or "address," FOX called it a "Presidential Address," while CNN and MSNBC labeled it "Presidential Speech." During 360, CNN placed a countdown clock on the lower right. CNN kept the "Paula Zahn Now" bug on the lower-third (maybe to remind viewers who is in the time slot?) On CNN, the "Countdown to Handover" was hammered home. At one point afterwards, the graphic said starkly: "37 Days." CNN seemed to hurry to a commercial break; MSNBC offered the most analysis prior to ads...

8:44:35 PM

Instant Reaction: The Cable Web Site Headlines
At 8:41pm: CNN.com: "Bush outlines five steps to Iraqi sovereignty;" MSNBC.com: "Bush outlines Iraq plan;" FOXNews.com: "'Iraq's New Beginning.'" CNN has a photo, FOX has a screen grab, and MSNBC has a stock headshot... 8:41:47 PM

FNC Has Bush, FOX Has 'The Swan'
Just a reminder of the contrast between cable and broadcast networks tonight, thanks to my (very blurry) webcam, three TVs and a bit of Photoshopping:

8:36:23 PM

Did FOX's Gibson Break The Law In Britain? And Other Tidbits
The Week hosted a panel on indecency and media in NYC today, and Jeff Jarvis blogged it. Highlights:
> FOX's John Gibson said he "called the BBC a bunch of liars on the air in Britain and there were complaints against him for violating a law -- a law -- that he says forbids newscasters from giving opinions in the UK."
> "Former NBCer Ashleigh Banfield says that she did complain about Michael Savage, who called her a slut and news whore. The complaint went nowhere."
> Michelle Malkin said "those Abu Ghraib pictures were journalistic pornography." 7:47:46 PM

The Other Side of Adam Housley
FOX correspondent Adam Housley "spends his free weekends in Acampo [Ca.], pouring wine at his family's Century Oak Winery." That's one of the surprising details in this Stockton Record feature. "For me, the goal is to tell stories and true stories," he tells the paper. A neat story... 6:16:02 PM

Paula Zahn Now Sinks To 0.3 Friday Night
Paula Zahn's CNN program suffered one of its lowest rated nights ever on Friday, when it registered only a 0.3 rating (292,000 households). "Sources are speculating on how much longer CNN will continue to pay $2 million for an anchor who's having disastrous ratings like these," an industry source wrote to CableNewser. And during a busy news period, no less! Only one edition of her show has performed worse -- a taped program on Thanksgiving night that averaged a 0.2...
> Update: An e-mailer: She "left Fox for CNN... great career move!" 4:08:02 PM

Cablers Vary In Bush Speech Programming Plans
Mark writes in to sum up the cablers' approach to tonight's speech:
> CNN: will incorporate the speech into Paula Zahn's hour
> MSNBC: will incorporate the speech into a second Chris Matthews hour, then regular programming from 9 to 11pm
> FOX: devotes the 8pm hour to the speech with analysis by Brit Hume and guests; regular schedule follows at 9pm with all shows delayed by one hour
As Dominic says in the Hardball Briefing: "Yes folks, break out the TV trays, pop the popcorn and order up the carry out...It's a big cable news night tonight!" 3:52:49 PM

Hardball/WashPost "Exclusive Report" Tonight
The Hardball newsletter promises a special report tonight: "Our panel of experts will take you behind the scenes into America's "secret war" in Iraq & Afghanistan...It's a Hardball/Washington Post exclusive report," it says. Guests include Dana Priest and Robin Wright from the WP, plus Andrea Mitchell and Jim Miklaszewski (I had to Google that name)... 3:51:58 PM

Seen Enough Of General Karpinski Yet?
Debbie has an "exclusive interview with Brigadier General Janis Karpinski" tonight at 9pm, an MSNBC press release says. I know what you're thinking: Janis has appeared on more cable shows than Tim Russert! But tonight's interview is Karpinski's first since learning of her suspension," the network says... 3:26:05 PM

Former Congressman Bob Barr Joins CNN
...He will be a regular contributor. Quoting the press release: "Bob's experiences not only as a former congressman, but also a former U.S. attorney, CIA officer and privacy rights consultant, will provide our viewers with a unique perspective of many political, legal and international issues," news VP Sue Bunda said. "We look forward to his contributions to our broadcasts."
> Update: Didn't they announce this in January 2003? 1:53:13 PM

"Will people turn to cable to see what the president has to say?"
EdinUSA writes in: "Let's see how the ratings turn out for Bush's primetime speech tonight ... it looks as if cable news channels are the only ones planning coverage, and the networks will stick to their regular programming ... is this a long-term trend? Will people turn to cable to see what the president has to say?" 12:16:10 PM

Journalists Grade Cable News: C+ Average

This question is from the Pew/PEJ study out today: What grade A, B, C, D, or F would you give cable TV news channels for their overall coverage these days? The results are displayed on the right. Some other interesting stats: > Senior editors at national media organizations were most likely to agree that "there are too many talk shows on cable television today" Reps of Internet orgs were least likely to agree. > Reps of national outlets were more likely than those of local outlets to name FOX as "especially conservative" (69 to 42). (Here is the raw data.)

Grade National Local A 5 7 B 38 41 C 38 32 D 17 15 F 1 1 Average C+ C+

9:49:57 AM

FOXNews.com Changes: Business/Finance Section Coming Soon
Major changes are coming at FOXNews.com. "We're having a major relaunch of the site in mid-June," site GM Bert Solivan says in a THR interview. "It will improve the usability of the site. And later this year we'll be introducing a robust business-finance section, akin to CNN Money or MarketWatch, with currency calculators and personal portfolio tools." Along with the new channel perhaps?... 9:45:38 AM

"We Encourage" Visitors To Vent Via E-Mail, FOXNews.com GM Says
The Hollywood Reporter prints an interview with FOXNews.com GM Bert Solivan. Among the interesting tidbits: "We get a lot of e-mail from all over the world -- on average 50,000 a week -- saying various things...Some people use the site as a vehicle to vent, and that's fine. We encourage it." 9:44:57 AM

Journos Think FOX Is Conservative & Cable Shows Are Too Plentiful
Journalists are liberal and unhappy, according to a Pew/PEJ poll of media types, summarized by Kurtz on WP's C1. Highlights:
> "Asked to identify a media outlet they view as especially conservative, 69 percent of national journalists chose Fox News."
> 2% named CNN as an "especially liberal organization"
> "Almost two-thirds say there are too many cable talk shows" 12:02:01 AM

MSNBC Repeats NBC's Two-Hour Infomercial
MSNBC re-aired NBC's "A Farewell to Friends" infomercial tonight. "In this 2-hour special, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer sit down with the cast of "Friends" to swap stories and review favorite moments from the show," the press release said. I guess it's better than another H&L; repeat, but does it belong on a news channel?... 10:49:32 PM

Kudos to MSNBC: Special Sunday Shows
Chris Jansing's four-hour MSNBC "special presentation" was top-notch journalism. It was divided into two parts: "The 9/11 Hearings: Rudy Giuliani Testifies" and "The Senate Investigates: Three Generals Testify" for two hours each. I found the 9/11 hearings to be more compelling, even though Rudy's testimony only aired during the second hour. On both shows, the context that viewers have desperately needed from these hearings was finally provided. Kudos to MSNBC for the broadcast. 8:49:51 PM

CNN "Looked Like Market 190" This Morning
An e-mailer describes CNN's early Sunday morning show: "They just looked like market 190. Anchor Thomas Roberts left the anchor desk during a commercial break to head outside for a segment on "grilling desserts." When they came back from break, Roberts was seen with his apron, began to talk, but he could not be heard. Some static garbled over the audio, he kept on talking, then Sophia Choi was taken on camera. She apologized for the problems and they went to another break. Again, it looked more than amateurish....If`they just delivered news and forgot all this crap they might rise in the ratings." 8:01:37 PM

Hillary Finally Appears On FOX News Sunday
Hillary Rodham Clinton is making her first appearance on FOX News Sunday this morning. The WP has a quote from her spokesperson: "Let's keep things in perspective here. Halley's Comet only comes around every 76 years. Cicadas only come out of the ground every 17. So in the grand scheme of things, Fox News Sunday waiting eight years really ain't so bad." 12:22:48 AM

Rita Sits Down With Thomas Hamill Tonight
Rita Cosby's exclusive interview with Thomas Hamill will air on FOX's Big Story Weekend Edition tonight. It's the first TV interview with the former hostage. (Rita previously interviewed Hamill by phone.) Ann Curry has the "first network TV interview," airing Tuesday on Today and Dateline...
> UPDATE: FOX apparently got the first interview because Hamill's family preferred their coverage of Iraq. Is this a trend?... 7:21:07 PM

The Newspaper/Broadcaster Line Is Fading Away, Effron Says
Thanks to their partnership with the Post, NBC and MSNBC aired the first video clips of prison abuse on Friday. David Bauder says that "it was the first time [MSNBC VP Mark] Effron could remember TV news networks having to depend on a newspaper for video in an important story." Quoting Mark: "We're all kind of beyond that, the `they're a newspaper and we're a broadcaster' kind of thing. I don't think anyone blinks at that anymore. It's part of newsgathering in the 21st century." 6:46:10 PM

"Wake up and smell the Nielsons pal"
That's a direct quote -- yes, he spelled Nielsen wrong -- from Steve Doocy, who wrote in to DCRTV to protest Dave's FOX-bashing. Doocy's e-mail: "FYI, Fox and Friends is #1 cable morning news show in the world. (3 years running) Our ratings top CNN, MSNBC, CNBC combined. Wake up and smell the Nielsons pal. PS: There is no Steve Jarrett at the channel. I'm sure you've got a budget for a fact checker don't you?" Dave called Doocy a "jackass" on the web site. But what is Steve's point? High ratings = ...? 6:44:52 PM

Scarborough Down To Four Days A Week?
Mark is annoyed: "I keep forgetting that Scarborough is not on Friday nights...maybe that is because the plan to put him on Sunday nights seems to have been quietly dropped after, what, two shows? [Ed note: I think it was 4.] So now we aren't getting Joe on Friday OR Sunday nights. Cutting prime time shows back to four a week...another Kaplan innovation?" "You'd think they'd give the trial run more than a month to sink in before pulling the plug?," an MSN poster says... 6:43:14 PM

Media Notes: Viewers See 'Agenda;' No Problems At CNN's New NYC Home
> The Washington Times writes up the recent FOX News poll. Headline: "Viewers see 'agenda' in war coverage"...
> A "FOX News security consultant" tried to chase down a killer on Sixth Ave. Thursday, the NYPost mentions...
> "Not a hitch or glitch" for Cooper or Zahn in their new Columbus Circle digs, Michael Starr points out...
> NYDN notes that Dan Abrams and Elisabeth Rohm are still together... 6:42:40 PM

Kerry's Considerations Could Affect Convention Coverage
Kerry may delay accepting his party's nomination for president to raise more campaign money -- and it could affect how television networks cover the convention. "It's one more thing that's not happening at a convention," Mark Lukasiewicz, special events coverage chief for NBC News, tells the AP. "It's one more thing to factor in as we decide how much resources - financial and editorial - we have to give to convention coverage." The coverage is still in the planning stages... 12:01:30 AM

Cleveland Reporter Heads To White House For CNN
NewsBlues says Cleveland reporter Kareen Wynter is heading to D.C. to cover the White House for CNN. "She plans to leave the station after her final 6 p.m. newscast on Wednesday and immediately board a plane for Washington, D.C" -- "It's crazy," she said. She reported for WEWS Channel 5. (But she has had No WH experience...) 5:04:35 PM

L.A. Anchor Joins CNN Investigative Unit, Anchors 'Live From'
"Is that former KCBS anchor Drew Griffin next to Fredricka Whitfield on CNN's Live From?," several e-mailers wondered yesterday. Yes, it is -- he co-anchored again today from Atlanta. I never saw a press release about it, but according to CNN.com's bio, Griffin joined the net's investigative unit this month... 5:03:19 PM

Update: NBC Cameraman Abused By U.S. Troops
The AP has more details about the NBC stringer who was abused by U.S. troops. "NBC News said a camerman who speaks no English...was abused, including being hit with a gun barrel when he tried to complain," the wire service writes. The network sent a "detailed complaint" to the Defense Department, but never received a response. A memo from their Baghdad bureau said "the cameraman was held after his arrest with about 50 other prisoners. On the third day, he was put in solitary confinement. During questioning, he "was subjected to a battery of abusive tactics that can only be called torture," the memo said... 12:31:44 PM

Cavuto: "I just wish my old pals in high school could see me now"
Neil's (sarcastic?) power trip, delivered as Common Sense from the White House yesterday: "I just wish my old pals in high school could see me now: Neil the nerd, now Neil-the-invited-to-the-White-House nerd standing on the same hallowed ground as Fox super cool guys Wendell Goler, Jim Angle and James Rosen. Take that football team captain. Take that all you cheerleaders who dismissed me as some freak of nature. Still a freak, but now a force of nature freak." (Hat tip: Wonkette) 12:31:12 PM

Quote of the day
WP's David Broder, speaking to the Campaign Desk, says that cable news has helped cause the definition of "journalist" to change: "It's a niche market for people who call themselves journalists and go on and argue with each other like politicians," he says. "These people become the personalities that represent what journalism is. On a show like 'Crossfire,' there's only one real journalist. The public doesn't understand that the other three are not what we would consider journalists." 11:35:57 AM

Poll: It's The News Media's Fault!
FOXNews.com has a new round of poll results with several interesting points about the media. Highlights:
> Question #20 asks "On the situation in Iraq today, where do you think most of the problems are being created?" 27% of respondents said "in the news media" -- more than "in Iraq" or "in Washington D.C."
> 34% of those surveyed said the media spent an excessive amount of time covering the prisoner abuse story. 9% said the same for the beheading. 35% said both were covered excessively.
> 46% of those surveyed think the media has been too tough on President Bush. 24% say the same about candidate Kerry. 11:28:30 AM

Randy Meier's Silly Question
Noted Now has posted a "cable watch!" to point out a dialogue on MSNBC this morning: "Randy Meier: 'Are you concerned about voter backlash from the Iraq abuse story?' Sen. Richard Shelby: 'Well the elections aren't today...' 11:00:41 AM

Bill Hemmer's Horrible Interview: "Yes. Yes. Yes."
This TVSpyer said Bill Hemmer had a tough time interviewing a Florida child who survived an alligator attack. The kid kept saying "yes" in response to Hemmer's questions:

HEMMER: So, how much do you remember? The gator grabs you, gets a hold of your head and some other parts of your body? LOCKE: Yes. HEMMER: Where did he get you, Malcolm? MISTY WARREN, MALCOLM'S MOTHER: He didn't hear you. LOCKE: Yes. HEMMER: Yes. Did you know alligators were in that lake? LOCKE: Yes. HEMMER: Yes. WARREN: You've got to talk more. HEMMER: How are you feeling today? Go ahead, Malcolm. You can just talk straight to me. It's all right. Just like we're having a conversation. Go ahead and relax and tell me your story, OK, because we really want to hear it.

Poor kid -- poor Bill, too. Here is the full transcript. 11:32:48 PM

Howard Disses Alan: Could Dean Replace Colmes?
Howard Dean was on Hannity & Colmes Wednesday night, and he said: "If I get a talk show, it's going to be called -- because Alan is not defending liberals hard enough. It's going to be called 'Hannity & Dean.'" Colmes asked if he would want to do TV, but Dean said "I don't know about that, we'll see." "I've got my hands full right now," Dean added. (Thanks Henry) 11:24:44 PM

Media Notes: Andrew Sullivan on FOX; Tired of Russert's Book Tour?
> Andrew Sullivan (who complained FOX wouldn't have him on air) appeared with Shep on Studio B today
> (Super Millionare genius) Michael Starr mentions Sam Shane's childrens book
> A day in the life of a former military defense lawyer in hot demand by the media: It "had a limousine waiting at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday to whisk him to a television studio in Omaha for an interview with CNN..." (Omaha World-Herald)
> Media Matters says that "Hannity scores a hat trick"
> Just wondering: Is anyone else sick of Tim Russert's P.R. push yet?... 11:10:40 PM

Cavuto Donated $1,000 To His Interviewee -- President Bush
Neil Cavuto interviewed President Bush today. His 4pm show was live from the White House. (Bush met with a bunch of business reporters, an e-mailer points out.) DCRTV Dave points out that Cavuto donated $1,000 to Bush at a fundraising dinner in 2002. "I wish he hadn't," John Moody told the Post in January. If I donate $1,000, can I interview W. too? I have a lot of questions, and I bet they'd be tougher than Neil's... 5:58:13 PM

Wed. Ratings: MSNBC Averages Less Than A Quarter-Million In Prime
For all the talk of a decline in FOX's ratings, the network is still clearly winning the cable news war. During Guiliani's testimony yesterday morning, FOX averaged 1,018,000 viewers, compared to CNN's 482,000 and MSNBC's 320,000. In primetime last night, FOX averaged 1,379,000, while CNN had 512,000 and MSNBC saw 243,000. Notice how MSNBC pulled more viewers during the day than in the evening... 5:57:35 PM

Which Cable Net Is The Most Accurate?
The Wall Street Journal's Question of the Day:

"Which cable news network provides the most accurate depiction of the events in Iraq?"

As of 5:45pm, 3,743 people had voted. FOX News was in the lead with 62%, CNN was second with 27%, and MSNBC came in third with 10%. A bit like the ratings battle... (Hat tip: Romenesko) 5:50:47 PM

WSJ Question Provokes Criticism of Cable
WSJ's Question of the Day has solicited a bunch of comments about cable news -- almost all of them negative. Here is a sampling:
> "The heavy vote for such an obviously biased network like Fox shows the limitations of non-scientific polling."
> "Wow, Fox News?! Are you people serious? This country is in more trouble than I thought."
> "Rightward slant? Who are you kidding?...Fox News simply does a better job of reporting the news without an agenda of brainwashing."
> "I voted for CNN only because the BBC wasn't an available option."
> "Fox is an extension of the White House or worse, CNN is an apologist for the American government more than half the time and MSNBC isn't much of anything. They have all crossed over into entertainment." 5:49:58 PM

Greta's Mystery (Fake) Business Partner
Greta blogs a strange story today: "There is a man running around a major Texas city claiming to be partners with me in a movie venture (starring Julia Roberts)," she writes. "I first got wind of this "movie" about a month ago when I began getting calls from various businesses in Texas seeking to confirm the business relationship." A weird must-read... 5:22:24 PM

FOX Gets The Ratings, CNN Gets The Ad $'s
The Wall Street Journal has a must-read about FOX and CNN ad sales on page 1 this morning. Quoting the story: "Media buyers say they generally pay Fox News ad rates that are about 75% to 80% of what they pay CNN -- even though CNN has only about half the audience of Fox News. And for all the inroads Fox News has made as a news organization, [FOX News ad exec] Rittenberg has to contend with advertisers who use CNN as a yardstick of quality." Much more... 11:03:58 AM

$1 Million In Ad Revenue Daily For FOX
Other interesting tidbits from the WSJ story:
> Rittenberg says FOX News takes in about $1 million in ad rev. a day, and is on track to book more than $350 million this fiscal year.
> "...Sometimes Mr. Rittenberg, like many advertising salespeople, laments the turmoil caused by his channel's outspoken news anchors"
> A commercial on O'Reilly costs $20 to $22 per thousand viewers, compared to $18 to $20 on Larry King
> "We see the numbers on how Fox is outperforming CNN. But the problem is the press and clients still see CNN as the No. 1 brand," an ad exec told Rittenberg recently. He responded: "Perception lags reality." 11:03:33 AM

Reese's Theory Doesn't Consider History
Several people have written in to disagree with Reese Schonfeld's theory about FOX. They point out that Bill O'Reilly was off last week, and that left a dent in the ratings. And an insider e-mails in to point out: "O'Reilly took down Larry King before Bush took office, which led to the downfall of CNN's primetime. When Clinton left office, FOX News was supposed to be history since its viewers would supposedly be bored without the Clinton bashing, yet their ratings surged." 10:58:10 AM

Glitzy Sets Not A Recipe For CNN Improvement, Source Says
One industry source vehemently disagrees with Ed's suggestion that CNN is 'creeping back:' "This is CNN's second round of spending $40 million on new studios, on top of the millions they spend on failed broadcast talent and sadly, they're stuck with the same result -- FOX continues to trounce them and doubles their total day & primetime at this point," the source writes. "With all the glitz and glamour, CNN is still saddled with a .5 for Zahn, a 1.0 for King and a .6 for Brown. The more money CNN throws at this crop of failed talent, the more their ratings stay the same -- .5's & .6's in primetime & getting annihilated on breaking news doesn't exactly constitute people 'taking notice.'" 10:57:41 AM

Bob Novak Jumps Out Of A Plane
73-year-old CNN Crossfire host Bob Novak went skydiving last Friday, and Swamp City has the photos to prove it. "B-Nov seems to have been smiling the whole way down," the site says. "Though we're not sure it was by choice." It was filmed for a segment on The Novak Zone... 12:34:39 AM

Media Obsession: Iraq Preferable To Kobe Or M.J. --Aaron Brown
The Boston Phoenix talks to Aaron Brown about how Iraq shoves other stories out of the news cycle: "It’s not news-of-day stuff, by and large, that doesn’t make it," he says. "It’s the back-of-the-book texture stuff that helps define the program," he says. And: "If you’re going to be owned by a story, you’d rather be owned by a story of meaning than by Kobe Bryant or Michael Jackson. This matters, and as the person responsible for making editorial judgments on the program, I would rather sort through this kind of stuff than have it be the other way around." (Hat tip: Romenesko) 12:19:29 AM

Savage Calls His Former Employer MSNBC "Verminist Traitors"
It's fun to read Michael Savage's comments about his former employer (MSNBC) and other cable news nets. Media Matters transcribes some of it: "The scum at CBS, the filthy vermin at MSNBC are reporting that this beheading is revenge for the abuse at Grab-an-Arab prison, which means that the scum at CNN, the verminist traitors at MSNBC have gone over to the enemy's side." He says that 1,000 Iraqi prisoners should be killed, and their deaths should air on TV: "It won't happen because of the CNN traitors. I won't happen because of the MSNBC empty heads." 12:14:29 AM

CNN Is Improving, Reader Says; Are Viewers Noticing?
A must-read e-mail this morning: "Why is CNN creeping back?," EdinUSA asks. "...Maybe [the conservatives are] turning to CNN because their product is improving. Proof? Here's what this viewer notices: The network's overall "look" is finally on part with MSNBC and FOX... the new sets in DC and New York are slick, expensive and high-tech.
Now look at the content: Aaron Brown did a full hour from Topeka, Kansas the other night doing a full evaluation of "Brown v. BOE". The broadcast was well-received. Then, Larry King pulls out years' worth of old interviews with Tony Randall and then invites all his friends to do a one-hour retrospective within a few hours of the announcement of Randall's death...Likewise, the network turns to its international sister more often, for coverage of the assassination of the Iraqi Governing Council president, at 4 a.m. in the morning, while the other guys run repeats...
Now, if Bush's favorables continue to tank, will Fox viewership slip? Will more people turn to CNN? Perhaps. But with an improving look and well-prepared broadcasts, it could merely be that people are taking notice of CNN's improving product. So it begs the question: Is CNN is finally doing things right? Now if only they'd report on the 3-4 liters of Sarin..." 12:11:09 AM

Karen Ryan's VNRs Were "Covert Propaganda," GAO Says
Remember the Karen Ryan scandal -- the VNRs packaged as news stories and distributed via CNN Newsource? The General Accounting Office called it "covert propaganda" that had "notable omissions and weaknesses" and were "misleading as to source." Quoting the New York Times: The GAO "said on Wednesday that the Bush administration had violated federal law by producing and disseminating television news segments that portray the new Medicare law as a boon to the elderly." 12:07:32 AM

Sarin: "The downplaying of this story is amazing," FOX Exec Says
Exclusive: An e-mail from an anonymous FOX News executive shares thoughts about the media's lack of Sarin coverage:
"So a DOD source tells Fox News that sarin was confirmed by another test and that there was likely 3-4 liters of it. The media has been largely mute. They've also virtually ignored the mustard gas shell the military says it discovered on May 2nd. Certainly, the story may change; we've seen the military back off claims before, but the downplaying of this story is amazing. (See William Safire's "Sarin? What Sarin?) When people deny media bias or don't understand Fox News' dominance in cable news, remember the deafening silence of this story. Then get back to another Abu Ghraib story, ok? 8:05:52 PM

A Week Of Bad News: "Conservatives Stopped Watching," Reese Says
Reese Schonfeld analyzes the Cynopsis #s, and his conclusion is fascinating:

"I’ve always kind of wondered how much of Fox success should be attributed to conservative rejoicing. The numbers suggest 7%."

"I think a lot of conservatives stopped watching" all the bad-news-for-Bush last week, Reese says. He compares market share of the "conservative network" and "less ideological networks" in March and May, and finds reason to offer this analysis:

"I think FoxNews ratings are as reliable a guide to the attitudes of the American electorate as even the best of the political polls and all the networks should carry the market share numbers right after Gallop, Newsweek and the L.A. Times."

4:56:53 PM

Last Week's News Viewer Index
Cynopsis has the surprising news viewer index for last week. In total day, "Fox News had 44% of the viewing, CNN 30%, MSNBC 14%; and Headline News 12%." In primetime, "Fox News had 47%, CNN 34%, MSNBC 12% and Headline News 7%." 4:38:09 PM

Cavuto Doubts The Media Would Cover WMD Finds
Neil Cavuto took aim at "the media" in his Common Sense segment yesterday. He asks what would happen if troops found chemical weapons in Iraq: "Would the media cover it at all? I doubt it." He concludes: "I don't know what to make of these nerve agents. I just fear my colleagues haven't the nerve to report the day we find still more agents. Will it be news then? I doubt it. It's a good story. Too bad it doesn't fit their story." 3:52:47 PM

MSNBC's "Special Coverage" Isn't Very Special
MSNBC sent out a press release hyping today's "special coverage" and an "in-depth look" of the prisoner abuse scandal. They call it "Court Martial In Baghdad: Duty Or Disgrace?" and promised live reports from "Baghdad and across the country." So why does MSNBC's daytime programming seem so...normal? Why aren't there special shows, special segments, special music, special graphics, and other special stuff? Don't you want to be different, Rick?...
> Lester Holt anchored around noon, then handed it off. (Who was on earlier in the morning?)
> Former CNNer Martin Savidge was on MSNBC with an interview with one of the accused troops' attorneys. 1:01:14 PM

Quote of the day
Brian Williams on the Dateline 'Apprentice' controversy in the New York Observer NYTV column: "You gotta look at it in toto. Look at the hours Dateline has done on race, on veterans, on education. And that they do a Zeitgeist-y hour on what we’re seeing unfold here is, I think, perfectly understandable. It’s harder and harder these days to be truly pious and godly in television news." (Hat tip: Romenesko) 12:51:34 PM

CNN Polling Director Dismisses CNN Online Polling
Howard Kurtz has an interesting bit in his Media Notes Extra column today: "Participants in an online CNN poll say John Edwards is most likely to get the veepstakes nod. The importance of such an unscientific survey of people who have no way of knowing what Kerry will do? "Next to nothing," announced CNN polling director Keating Holland. Glad to have that cleared up." 12:51:30 PM

FOX "Won't Have Me On At All," Andrew Sullivan Complains
Andrew Sullivan describes a daunting day of five media interviews, and has interesting tidbits about Anderson Cooper and FOX News: "Anderson Cooper asked the best questions. I've actually known Anderson for well over a decade - we used to work out in the old Washington YMCA together. But that was before he was a mega-star. He's still the same, though, engaging, funny, smart as a whip. One small note about media bias: it seems, sadly, that Fox News Channel won't have me on at all. They like their gays, as Homer did: easily characterized as left-wing and flaming. Oh well." (Hat tip: DCRTV Dave)
> Update: But he has been on FOX in the past, as Sullivan's own biography brags (Thanks Mark) 12:30:30 PM

Court Martial: No Cameras, But Plenty Of Press Present
> Quoting the AP: "The U.S. military has barred the broadcast of Wednesday's hearings on radio or television, and is prohibiting all recording devices and mobile phones from the courtroom."
> There are 34 seats reserved for news organizations; 9 of those are for Arab newspaper or broadcast journalists.
> An overflow room will accomodate other journos via closed captioning.
> A sketch artist will be on hand. (The U.S. TV networks apparently pushed for a source of visuals.)
> On MSNBC around 9:30pm, Christy Musumeci promised "live coverage" of the proceedings beginning at 1:30am ET; but an hour later, she changed her wording and said there would only be "updates." Let's hope CNN takes the International feed live. 11:13:58 PM

It Wasn't Worth An ALERT -- Heck, It Was Barely News
So a rocket launcher was found near a Georgia train station. The rocket was found around 2pm. By 5pm, the story was all over the AP wire. So why did FOX decide that it was worth an ALERT at 10pm? Greta Van Susteren teased the news, then tossed to a reporter in Atlanta for sketchy details (a report of the "we don't know, we don't know" variety). Can someone please try to justify the use of the ALERT for a story that 1.) doesn't appear to be terrorist-related and 2.) was first reported more than 5 hours ago? All it did was scare viewers unnecessarily... 11:13:34 PM

FOXNews.com Says "Sarin Results Confirmed;" Other News Orgs Ignore It
Monday's cable news web site compare/contrasts were revealing: FOX heaped attention on the sarin gas find, while CNN and MSNBC tended to give it less prominence. The trend is repeated this evening. At 11:05pm, FOXNews.com's top story is "Sarin Results Confirmed." "Up to four liters of nerve agent in improvised roadside bomb in Iraq; unclear where, when munition was made," the lead text says. There is no hint about the news on CNN.com's domestic or international front page. I couldn't find any mention of it on other pages, either. MSNBC.com also appears to ignore the news.
> Tomorrow's NYT editorial will state: "At this point no one can be certain whether the artillery shell rigged as a roadside bomb really did contain deadly sarin..." Why is FOX the only outlet running this story? 11:09:11 PM

"A Sea Change" In Coverage Of Iraq?
The Toronto Star says the "tide is changing in U.S. coverage of war in Iraq." Quoting the story: "The news pack has descended on the Abu Ghraib prison scandal like coyotes on springtime roadkill...it's impossible not to sense a sea change in U.S. political news coverage." 10:51:13 PM

MSNBC's David Shuster, Natalie Morales In Cumberland
Hardball's segments from Cumberland, Maryland tonight (home of the accused 372nd M.P. unit) were very interesting; David Shuster was there, along with "some of our top producers," according to Dominic's daily newsletter. They aren't the only peacocks who had been in the town lately:
> On Monday, MSNBC's Natalie Morales was in Cumberland; she interviewed the local newspaper editor (here's a photo).
> Here's a story about the "flood of media" from the Cumberland Times-News. 10:50:49 PM

Bill O'Reilly Guest Stars On CBS Tonight
Bill O'Reilly's cameo appearance on "Judging Amy" is tonight. Quoting this TV column: "[Bill], playing himself, starts fulminating against Amy the Lenient on his cable show. Oh, put a sock in it, Mr. Bill." The show airs at 10pm on CBS... 8:51:43 PM

NBC Stringer In Iraq Abused By U.S. Troops
An Iraqi journalist working for NBC News was beaten and mistreated by U.S. military forces, VP Bill Wheatley said today. Ali Muhammed Hussein Ali al-Badrani, a stringer for the network, was detained along with three Reuters staff members in January. Quoting the wire service: He "reported that a hood was placed over his head for hours, and that he was forced to perform physically debilitating exercises, prevented from sleeping and struck and kicked several times." "Despite repeated requests, we have yet to receive the results of the army investigation," Wheatley said... 3:56:47 PM

When Osama Is Caught, Palkot Wants To Be There
Fresh from the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, Greg Palkot appeared on FOX & Friends recently to talk about his travels. An excerpt:
Kilmeade: "How bad do you want to be there when they get [Osama bin Laden]?"
Palkot: "That would be very very good. We were promised that maybe some civilian-side press might be around, so I hope it'll be FOX News."
Are the nets still staffing the region the way they did when the military's ears perked up?... 3:52:24 PM

Jesse Ventura: MSNBC Is "Buying My Silence"
The Charlotte Post & Courier profiles Jesse Ventura, and has an interesting quote from him about his short-lived cable show. Quoting the newspaper: "He has a lucrative three-year deal with MSNBC that ensures he will be paid the duration of the contract. 'They're paying me,' says Ventura, who reportedly was getting $2 million for his services. 'I've got a three-year contract. It's their call. They're buying my silence. There's maybe a reason for it. Who knows.'" 3:49:45 PM

CNN's Weekend Success
A couple of TVSpys reference CNN's weekend programming, and suggest there could be signs of hope for Atlanta: "I have noticed that while FOX beats CNN soundly during the week, on the weekend it is very close and sometimes CNN actually pulls ahead," one person writes. A second chatter chimes in: "It's come to this -- CNN's weekend crew seems to be outperforming its first string...perhaps management should do some re-shuffling." 3:49:03 PM

Chris Wallace Describes "Unexplained Assumptions" In The Media
Chris Wallace spoke at the Teachers Credit Union Annual Meeting in Indiana yesterday, and "admitted that his view [of media bias] has changed since joining Fox last November," the South Bend Tribune reports: "'There are a lot of unexamined assumptions in the mainstream media,' he said. According to Wallace, 'liberal progressive positions' on issues including gun control and abortion 'are seen as the conventional wisdom, while conservative positions are seen as conservative.'" Wallace said that most of FOX's programming is "remarkably even-handed"... 3:47:25 PM

Gay Marriage: Coverage Fuels Perception That Press Is Out Of Touch
Quoting Howard Kurtz's column today: "...The overall vibe of most of the headlines and leads is that this is a step forward. Which, in the view of many liberal-leaning people and journalists, it is, comparable to the Brown v. Board of Ed ruling whose 50th anniversary was celebrated yesterday. But what is overshadowed, and what fuels the perception that the press is out of touch, is that many people consider this a negative step that violates the traditional concept that marriage is between a man and a woman." 10:03:22 AM

Gay Marriage: "Hand-Holding Gay Couples" In A "Story About Stocks"
The Boston Globe describes the media hordes who have descended on Massachusetts for the gay weddings: "In Boston, CNN's Vera Gibbons was on City Hall Plaza sipping coffee. She laid out a tale of woe: Though she had been assigned to talk on-air about the stock market, she had to report from City Hall because no one else was in CNN's Boston bureau. After concluding that the throngs of hand-holding gay couples and rainbow banners spilling out the doorway at City Hall might make an odd backdrop for a story about stocks, she and her bosses at CNN came up with an alternate plan: a segment on financial advice for couples." 10:00:19 AM

More Media Notes: The C Word; Topic A's Topics
> Howard Kurtz in a WP chat: "While Fox clearly has some high-decibel conservative commentators, I don't think it's fair to tag all its reporters with the C word."
> Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 "identifies the Fox News Channel employee who took the decision to report that Bush had won Florida on election night...as Bush's first cousin," according to this BBC review. (Ellis is old news.)
> 'Henry the Intern' sums up Tina Brown's weekend 'Topic A' for Gawker. 9:13:14 PM

NewsNight, Live In Kansas
Aaron Brown's NewsNight is on location in Topeka, Kansas tonight. "After a week in the new building, now seemed a good time for a road trip. We’re in Topeka, Kansas - anchor, producers and an army of technicians - on the 50th anniversary of the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education," he wrote in the newsletter today. He's going to have morning papers from fifty years ago... 8:41:31 PM

When It Comes To Ratings, Tony Snow Is No Bill O'Reilly
Drudge has posted cable news ratings for Friday night, and they are pretty surprising at first glance. O'Reilly's hour pulled only a 1.2 -- but Tony Snow was filling in, and it was a Friday night, so it's not too unbelieveably low. Larry King followed close behind with a 1.1, then the #s fall into line: On FOX, Shep, H&C; and Greta pulled 0.9's, and Brit had a 0.8. On CNN, Aaron Brown managed 0.8 and Paula Zahn saw 0.7. MSNBC's Hardball and Countdown each earned 0.4, while Norville saw only 0.2. And Dennis Miller still barely registers with a 0.1... 6:50:03 PM

Chris Matthews Address The Class of 2004
Chris Matthews addressed the class of 2004 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges "I've got good news for all of you this morning: I talk fast," he joked at the beginning. He offered five bits of advice for the graduates, including 'follow your hunch:' "When I was in college one of my nicknames was 'Arguing Matthews,'" he said. "Amazing what you can make a living off of!" Read his full speech here. "I believe all beach-ball tossing halted while he was delivering his 'five bits of advice!,'" a Hardball Briefing subscriber wrote in today... 6:48:31 PM

Cable Web Site Compare/Contrast, Round Three
(Rounds 1 and 2.) At 6:20pm: FOXNews.com's headline has changed to "Chemical Agents Found In Iraq." They aren't "weapons" anymore. Notably, the site has now added this line to the home page summary: "more analysis of field test results needed." MSNBC.com has added similar lines near the top of their story. CNN and MSNBC continue to deem the death of the Iraqi Governing Council chief more important than the sarin... 6:11:07 PM

Media Notes: Equal Time v. No Time; MSNBC's An America-Hater?
> MSNBC is "taking the lead in smearing the U.S. in what some America-haters have dubbed the 'torture-gate scandal,'" a conservative author writes, and cites one -- one! -- example to prove it. (From Debbie, no less!)
> TVWeek's Insider reports: "[Tim] Russert will, except when returning to D.C. to tape "Meet the Press," be on the promotional merry-go-round right up until Father's Day." Maybe Hannity and Colmes will pretend he's worth an hour of wasted airtime again!...
> Noted Now notes that CNN aired portions of Bush and Kerry's Brown-anniversary speeches today, while MSNBC and FOX ignored both of them... 3:22:11 PM

Quote of the day
When is a Jay Rosen column not a must-read? He delivers again today: "Lycos is saying: You can read the trajectory of reader interest in the progression from "nick berg murder" to the video of it, even though news of the video and murder arrived as one story. It's as if people let the news sink in, paused to register what beheading of an American, video-taped and broadcast... really means, and then said: Okay, now I want to see for myself. Show me, television set. Show me, newspaper. But there was no showing, so they went to the Web." If I was MSNBC, and I wanted to demonstrate the power of cable news... ...well, you can fill in the rest. 3:20:28 PM

Cable Web Site Compare/Contrast, Round Two
(Round one here.) By 3pm, CNN.com's domestic front page made no reference to the sarin. It was discussed halfway through the lead story, though. CNN's story points out that sarin only turned up in a preliminary test, and that "field tests sometimes yield false positives." FOX doesn't bother to mention that in their story.
CNN.com's story also states that "No other evidence of possible chemical weapons has been found in Iraq. The Bush administration cited weapons of mass destruction as a key reason for its invasion." FOXNews.com doesn't state anything to that effect; instead, they have subheads like "Iraqi Scientist: You Will Find More" and "Officials: Discovery Is 'Significant.'" MSNBC.com's wire-rip is similar to FOX's.
> The poor CNN execs are being FReeped... 3:07:24 PM

Is CNN On A Hiring Binge?
That's how it looks on Time Warner's HR web site. Dozens of jobs (nearly 50) have been submitted in the last two weeks. Here's a sampling:
> Senior Director, News Coverage: "Responsible for the oversight, management and functionality of desk operations, newsgathering, and staff.
> Executive Producer, The Row: "...responsible for vetting and approving correspondent scripts and packages for CNN networks"
> Weekend Supervising Producer: "...responsible for working with Atlanta-based show teams on content, graphic looks, development of new segments, etc. to ensure the best elements are being used to make the network's coverage accurate, fast and compelling."
> Deputy Political Editor: "This position is responsible for contributing to the overall editorial direction of network political coverage."
There are also posts for senior producers for Paula Zahn Now and NewsNight. 2:42:26 PM

Cable Web Site Compare/Contrast, Round One
With news of a trace of sarin found in Iraq, the cable news web site headlines at noon make for an interesting compare/contrast. CNN.com leads with "Artillery round in Iraq emits sarin gas, U.S. military says." FOXNews.com is more blunt: "Chemical Weapons Found in Iraq." (Their lede refers to "mustard gas" -- the other sites don't mention that.) MSNBC.com doesn't make the sarin its top story; instead, "Major setback" is the headline for the suicide bombing today. "U.S.: Roadside bomb contained sarin gas" is one of the links below it. 12:34:46 PM

Writer Meets "Closeted FOX Star" At Gay Bar
Who doesn't love an unsubstantiated rumor? This op-ed in the New York Blade is intriguing, if true: "On a recent trip to New York, I visited a gay bar on the Upper East Side, where I met a familiar-looking man wearing an expensive suit and excessive makeup. After a drink or two, I realized that he was one of the star anchors at Fox News...He wouldn’t admit his identity, only that he “worked for News Corporation,” the parent company of Fox, so I played dumb and let him buy another round of martinis. At 3 a.m. and after more than a few drinks, the closeted Fox star could barely balance on his bar stool. His solicitations for a date became more intense and desperate"... Here's more. (Why are the TVSpyers hinting that it's Shep? What about Nicole?) 12:31:54 PM

John Carroll's "Pseudo-Journalism" Speech
...It's like I'm begging for those "you're-biased" e-mails: Remember the excerpts from a speech by LA Times editor John Carroll that lambasted FOX last week? The paper printed the full text in Sunday's editions. It's a must-read:

"If Fox News were a factory situated, say, in Minneapolis, it would be trailing a plume of rotting fish all the way to New Orleans."

On the danger of "psuedo-journalism:"

"All across America, there are offices that resemble newsrooms, and in those offices there are people who resemble journalists, but they are not engaged in journalism. What they do is not journalism because it does not regard the reader — or, in the case of broadcasting, the listener or the viewer — as a master to be served. In this realm of pseudo-journalism, the audience is regarded as something to be manipulated. And when the audience is misled, no one in the pseudo-newsroom ever offers a peep of protest."

12:29:04 PM

Op-ed: "Fox News a slave to Murdoch's agenda"
How's THAT for a loaded headline? It's the title of an op-ed in the Lexington Herald-Leader today. "The question is not whether but why Fox News is a right-wing propaganda machine, arm of the Republican Party and a vital part of the Bush-Cheney campaign," professor Ron Formisano writes... 8:18:49 AM

Signs Of Cable News Life In The Wee Hours
...From a couple e-mail tips:
> Early Sunday morning: ALL 3 cable news nets are carrying LIVE Colin Powell's speech at the World Economic Fourm in Jordan; it's currently 3:02 am EDT
> Early Monday morning: CNN has taken CNNI's feed for the Breaking News of the Iraqi Shiite leader being killed by a car bomb. Time is 4:15 am. MSNBC and FOX are showing taped shows, per usual in the land of cable "news" on a weekend. 8:17:14 AM

NYT Critic Calls FOX Conservative; Network Demands Correction
New York Times critic Alessandra Stanley called FOX News "the conservative cable network" last month, and the network is demanding a correction, Howie reports in the WPost this morning. "I think I owe the reader a better definition of Fox and other networks than what they put in their own promotional ads," Stanley says. But a FOX spokesman says she shouldn't have injected her opinion into a news story.
> What Kurtz didn't mention: The context of the 'conservative' tag, courtesy Lexis Nexis: "Fox News, the conservative cable network, paid less attention to the meeting than CNN or the networks did and was far more sanguine about the secrecy -- as well as Mr. Bush's insistence that Mr. Cheney be at his side during the interview."
> Update: 8:20am: Why wasn't Stanley's column labeled 'analysis' or 'critic's notebook' -- or any title suggesting that she was writing as a critic?... 12:42:52 AM

Iraq Dangers Continue To Hamper Coverage Efforts
"Some days our guys just don't get out of the building where we're located," FOX News VP John Moody says in the Post's Monday editions. He is describing the chaotic situation for media types in Iraq: "Travel across the country is almost impossible now because the roads are too dangerous. It's constricted our ability to report stuff going on that's not just a comment from the CPA." 12:40:51 AM

FOX's Documentary: "Deadlines on the Battlefield"
FOX's 'War Stories' profiles war correspondents tonight in "Deadlines on the Battlefield." It airs at 8pm tonight. Senior producer Pamela Browne offers "four guidelines every combat journalist should know" on FOXFan.com: "One, always question. Two, when there is outgoing fire, there is always incoming fire. Three, always remember that the military you are covering will know more about the weaponry than you do, so pay attention and listen to them. And four, when they say no lights on nighttime operations, they mean no lights!" 4:55:39 PM

CNN's Documentary: "The Gap"
CNN's documentary "The Gap: 50 Years After The Brown Ruling" premieres tonight at 8pm. Quoting the web site: "...According to a widely cited federal study, the average black high school student today graduates with achievement test scores comparable to those of the average white eighth grader. CNN Correspondent Dan Lothian examines possible reasons behind the disparity at one of the country's most respected and integrated school systems." 4:50:54 PM

MSNBC's Documentary: "Battle for America's Schools"
MSNBC's documentary "The Battle for America's Schools: How the Children Won And Lost" premieres tonight at 10pm. Quoting the press release: "Honoring the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education...[the show] looks at Prince Edward County, Virginia, and how that community's reaction to the ruling affected lives for decades to come." It's hosted by Lester Holt... 4:50:14 PM

Monica Novotny Ties The Knot
MSNBC's 'Countdown' correspondent Monica Novotny married Michael Foley in New York yesterday. The New York Times has the announcement. Foley is a "consultant relations director at Alliance Capital Management." Novotny, 32, will "continue to use her name professionally"... 4:40:09 PM

An Hour of 'Reliable Sources' Today
CNN's Reliable Sources is expanded this morning, devoting a full hour to "the national discussion about the televised pictures of both the abused Iraqi prisoners and the run-up to the Berg beheading." It's on from 11am to noon; I'll blog the highlights later today... 8:53:00 AM

Ashleigh Banfield's Wedding Registry: $2,500 Ice Bucket
Ashleigh Banfield's wedding registry is online, and New Yorkish has the scoop: At Tiffany & Co., "you'll find a lovely little silver tray for $10,500 or, if you're not feeling quite that generous, there's a $4,000 pitcher and $2,500 ice bucket still available. Thinking about spending three digits instead of four or five? Consider picking up the ice cream scooper for $145...She also decided to register at Williams-Sonoma, too. A set of four blue kitchen towels is still up for grabs. The price? Just $16.00." Someone already bought the $80 toaster... 7:50:19 PM

Goodbye, 'News'
The News ended last night. CNBC aired the program for the last time. An e-mailer said he thought the show's conclusion was "pretty classy." "What the hell are they thinking?," another person asks in an e-mail. "They 'gave' us that horrible piece of crap 'Cover to Cover' with teleprompter reader extroardinaire Liz Claman and they take away the excellent news show with John Sigenthaler." 7:42:36 PM

CNN's New NYC Home: More Than Double The Amount of Space
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a great story about CNN's brand spanking new Columbus Circle headquarters. Quoting an excerpt: "In a city infamous for tight living conditions, the new CNN facilities span 250,000 square feet on five floors, with more than double the former studio space. For the staff of about 600, it means room to breathe. There's a quote from bureau chief Karen Curry: "Real estate was one of the biggest headaches we had, just finding desks for people. The staff had expanded a lot with the addition of programming, and they were sort of sitting on top of each other." 7:40:12 PM

CNN's New NYC Home: Is "Really Going To Improve Things Tremendously"
Some good quotes from the AJC story:
Bureau chief Karen Curry: "[Being together means a better] exchange of information when stories are breaking. It's really going to improve things tremendously."
CNN business news E.P. Ken Jautz: "This is the first facility that CNN has had that was specifically built for television studios. It is a difference of night and day for us."
Jautz: "People feel better working in a good place. The whole facility here allows us to get information, gather it and get it on air more quickly and allows for a better-looking product." 7:21:07 PM

CNN's New NYC Home: Tours Begin Sept. 1
Tours of CNN's new NYC headquarters will begin on September 1. It will be called "Inside CNN," and will stress newsgathering and journalism, AJC says. "A test run begins a week earlier to work out any kinks, and to host tours for CNN guests and delegates in town for the Republican National Convention," the paper says. "The new facility was planned with the tour in mind and includes large windows allowing the public to peek in at CNN staffers working in newsrooms and studios." 7:16:19 PM

MSNBC "can't manage to get the simplest facts...correct"
This message board poster notices multiple mistakes on MSNBC's chyrons, and says it is unacceptable: "If a news agency can't manage to get the simplest facts -- such as spelling and usage -- correct, then how can it be trusted to provide any credible content in its stories? This was clearly a package -- not a "live and on-the-scene" circumstance -- so EVERY graphic had to be [or, at the very least, SHOULD have been] proofed by the producer or reporter. So the Chyron doesn't have Spell-Check...but are you telling me that no one at MSNBC had an AP Stylebook lying around?...or a dictionary? Any way you slice it, sloppy journalism is unreliable journalism." 1:34:41 PM

Technical Snafus At CNN's New NYC Home
On Thursday, I questioned why Wolf Blitzer had to fill in for Lou Dobbs at the top of the 6pm hour. Now, an answer via an e-mailer who writes: "I work directly with Mr. Blitzer and it was in fact a HUGE technical problem in the new Time Warner building that happened at the last minute, thus Wolf carried the first 10 minutes of the Thursday show." NewsNight had some tech trouble on Thursday, too. Quoting Aaron's Friday newsletter: "We intended to run Nissen's piece...last night, but the new building bugs ate it up." 1:33:47 PM

Quote of the day
An excerpt from Judy Woodruff's speech at American University's commencement last week: "I want to note - and in the context of some parochial pride about the international resources of my present home, CNN -- that in a more globally interdependent world, foreign correspondents, once the signature of the great network news divisions, have been shamefully curtailed. On September 11, 2001, there was not a single CBS, ABC or NBC correspondent based in a predominately Islamic country. And then afterwards we wonder why our two cultures so misunderstand one another. Lest I let cable news off the hook, one only has to consider the obsessive coverage of O.J. Simpson or Gary Condit, or the Laci Petersen murder case - or in some instances even multi-vehicle traffic accidents." (Thanks Ed). 1:33:04 PM

Bird Chirping Replaced By News Truck Generators
Greta asked one of her staffers to write a note about the media stakeout near Nick Berg's home, and quotes it on her blog:

"This quiet neighborhood suddenly was not only struck with sadness, but they were also bombarded with numerous news trucks and reporters. Instead of birds chirping, the sounds of the street echoed news truck generators. Views that once showed the house across the street now were blocked by big white trucks with news logos. The once quiet road became filled with reporters, truck ops, camera men, audio guys and producers hanging around waiting for some sort of action to come from the Berg home."

It's a must-read dispatch... 3:15:04 PM

Zahn: Polls Show Intrigue Surrounding "Disgusting" Pics
Paula Zahn's speech at the Jewish Federation of Hartford is written up in the West Hartford News: "[Zahn] spoke of how "news (reportage) has become the news" recently, with debates raging as to whether or not to air certain photos and reports that some deem excessively graphic or politically sensitive. She noted the controversy of the broadcast of photographs from Fallujah and those of Princess Diana at the fatal accident site, as well as the storm swirling around Ted Koppel's decision to read the several hundred names of American dead in Iraq. She reported that polling shows that although the vast majority of people find these graphic images to be "disgusting," they also want to see them and are uncomfortable with censorship." 2:19:57 PM

FOX: 500 Phone Calls About Berg Footage Wed.
A notable quote from this Star-Ledger story about the media's coverage of the beheading: "Kevin Magee, vice president of programming for Fox News Channel, said the news channel got 500 calls on Wednesday asking "why we didn't show more." The reaction surprised him, because when Fox decided to present the Berg footage in much the same way as its competitors, "I thought maybe we had gone too far. Obviously, a large piece of the audience feels otherwise," Magee said." In the story, Kevin adds: "I doubt there was anybody who watched our coverage of Berg's murder and said afterward, 'Well, that wasn't so bad.'" 11:49:23 AM

"You Can't Suppress" Powerful Photos
MSNBC.com offers an edited transcript from a discussion of photo-power on Deborah Norville Tonight Tuesday:

Throughout history, moments of war that have been captured deeply affected millions of people— from the American flag being raised on Iwo Jima, to a little girl fleeing to safety in Vietnam. For these journalists, suppression is never the answer. "I think if you‘re telling news in pictures, you have to show the pictures,” says [former Life magazine editor Ralph] Graves. "You can't suppress them." "Pictures carry an emotional truth to it that words alone can't carry, and it resonates far beyond the written article," added [former Time magazine war correspondent William] Stewart.

11:20:36 PM

Money Isn't Everything, Cavuto Says -- In A Book He Will Profit From
Neil Cavuto has a new book coming out. "More than Money: True Stories of People Who Learned Life's Ultimate Lesson" will be released June 1. To receive a "FREE autographed bookplate!," log onto http://www.mycavuto.com/ and order by then. Cavuto now "spends several minutes on each show shilling his new book," DCRTV Dave says... 11:18:07 PM

Where Was Lou Dobbs?
"Anybody know where Lou Dobbs was the first few minutes of his Thursday show?," an e-mailer asks today. "Was it the confusing hallways at the new building, or was there something more important than showing up on time?" // "Hello. I'm Wolf Blitzer, filling in for Lou Dobbs right now," Wolf said at the top of the hour. After several minutes and a live report from the Pentagon, Lou stepped in...
Update: An e-mail: "As most (ex) Cnn-er's know..Lou likes to wait untill the last minute to go to the studio..there was always some underling whose job it was to stand and hold the elevator untill Lou deemed to come and actually make it to the set. Interestingly...at one time...one of those underlings forced to do it was Maria Bartiromo." 11:17:46 PM

Searchers Scour 'Net For Beheading Imagery
These are the top search phrases that brought visitors to CableNewser today, and the # of searches:
beheading video | 397
berg beheading video | 234
berg beheading | 153
beheading berg | 44
There were more than 1,200 search engine hits today based on the combination of berg/beheading/video keywords. 10:50:09 PM

CNN Dumps Google, Hooks Up With Yahoo
CNN.com has switched search providers. Google has been replaced by Yahoo. Quoting CNET News.com: "The switchover, which went live on Wednesday, means that Yahoo will provide algorithmic and paid results whenever CNN users conduct a search query on the site. Yahoo search results contain commercial links from its Overture Services subsidiary..." 10:23:47 PM

Crossfire Becomes Interactive Today: Compete on CNN.com
CNN unveils the "first truly interactive political program" this afternoon when Crossfire airs the first of six Interactive Thursdays. People can "compete against other viewers by answering trivia questions and voting in political polls, while watching the live show," the web site says. There's a related "Caught in the Crossfire" sweepstakes offering prizes.
> The press release describes the partnership with Xerox
> CNN ITV: Click here to play along as you watch the show
> E-mail me your thoughts about the ITV effort. 3:39:03 PM

FLASH: MARK NELSON ANNOUNCED AS E.P. OF PAULA ZAHN NOW
Veteran broadcast producer Mark Nelson will take command of CNN's Paula Zahn Now beginning Monday, May 24, the network announced today. "Although Mark is new to CNN and to cable news broadcasting, his experiences at National Geographic Channel and ABC News, most notably 11 years with Nightline, melds perfectly with the needs and styles of Paula Zahn Now," Princell Hair said in a press release. "Mark has a distinctive understanding of the level of analysis and insight needed for such a news program." 3:15:18 PM

MSNBC: "America's [Not] Watching"
MSNBC has started running a new ad of all its anchors under the banner "America's Watching." It appeared in some newsmagazines this week. But a revised version of the ad has been making the rounds via e-mail:

Update: ndhapple writes in: "It would be nice if they could get the ratings right... Matthews is averaging between .4-.5... Scarborough had a Q1 average of .4... Keith hovers between .3-.4 (which is a shame because his show is so damn good)... and Norville typically pulls a .3." 2:54:52 PM

"320 Calls:" Some Are News, Some Are Not
Greta describes "320 calls" on her blog today. "Every day we get information that we need to decide if it is news or not," she writes. "The reporters call in -- called a "320 call" -- with anything they learn. Some turns out to be news and some, of course, does not. The "320 call" allows the fastest dissemination of information to the news bureau from the reporters in the field. The news desk in the bureau wants to hear all information immediately to decide what we should do: Report it? Send a crew with cameras? Ignore it?" She describes two "320 calls" about a suspicious package at the Pentagon... 1:30:50 PM

Ted Koppel Really Hates Us
Ted Koppel never passes up a chance to diss cable news. Check out this Q&A; with UC Berkeley Media Relations: "I think when we arrive at a point that you can sometimes watch a cable television network and get the impression that the three most important things going on in the world are Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Scott Peterson, there is something wrong with that perception of what television news should be about."
UPDATE: 1:06pm: A cable news source writes in to say: "Ever realize that the reason Ted bashes cable news is because his show is bordering on irrelevancy and he has 2 1/2 hours worth of airtime every week at 11:30pm, when the country has already been through 20 news cycles?"
11:19:38 AM

O'Reilly/Olbermann, Day Three: "Soul-less clowns at FOX"
The O'Reilly/Olbermann feud continues. The WashPost has a response from Keith: "My soul stopped being tortured the day I stopped working for those soul-less clowns at Fox."
Update: 11:10am: An e-mailer says "maybe Keith Olbermann can profit from the feud with O'Reilly & Fox the way Al Franken did--Lord knows Keith needs--and richly deserves a boost in ratings!" 9:41:30 AM

Aaron Brown: "To show a tape of the beheading is pornographic"
On NewsNight Wednesday, Aaron Brown explained why the media isn't airing the full beheading tape:

"Many of you write and say if you show the prison abuse you should show this horror too and I would say the difference is this. As Secretary Rumsfeld said the other day you can't really grasp the prison abuse story until you see the pictures. I do think you get the horror inflicted on Mr. Berg without actually seeing it. To show a tape of the beheading is pornographic while not advancing the story at all but we also get there is a risk that we are sanitizing too much sometimes that taste can interfere with understanding and, in that regard, we have no quarrel with what they are doing in Dallas tonight even as we will not show it."

Aaron interviewed an editor of the Dallas Morning News. The paper printed an edited photo of a terrorist holding Berg's head this morning. Cori Dauber asks: "Why is CNN unwilling even to hold up a mock up of the page? It's nice to see that CNN is willing to celebrate the bravery of other journalists." 9:39:22 AM

CNN.com Wins Two EPpy Awards
The EPpy award winners were announced today. CNN.com won for the "Best Overall Network TV/Cable-affiliated Internet Service" and their War in Iraq coverage won "Best Special Feature in an Internet Service." MSNBC.com was a finalist in three categories, but didn't win any awards. Here's the full list.
UPDATE: Earlier I wrote that FOXNews.com didn't place in any categories. As explained on the site during a previous awards story, they don't participate in awards events. 11:41:22 PM

"I'm still a little teary-eyed," Bartiromo Says
The AP has a report on Maria's move, and a quote about her emotions: "I'm still a little teary-eyed over it," she said. "I really don't want to leave, but I want to put more energy into doing some of these other things." Alexis Glick will replace her... 11:40:16 PM

Murdoch: Journalists' Patriotism Is Okay
FOX's 'War Stories' profiles the correspondents on the front lines, and talks to Rupert Murdoch about patriotism on camera:

NORTH: Should a greater effort be made to report about the other side? MURDOCH: I don't think so. I think this is a new school of journalism, which says you must be totally objective and dispassionate about everything, including your own country's interests. And I think that's taking it too far. NORTH: Is it wrong for a reporter to feel an affection for the troops? MURDOCH: Of course it's not wrong. I mean, if you're an American covering a war, and America's fighting and America's future is at stake, of course you're on that side. Now, you've got to tell the truth...

The new episode will air this weekend. 3:45:16 PM

Lots of Construction in FOX's DC Bureau, Greta Says
Greta offers some photos of Studio 4 in FOX's North Capitol Street building. She calls it "the most hated [studio] among those of us who work there." She says it will soon undergo renovations. "I am not sure exactly what is being done but there is a great deal of construction that is going on in our D.C. bureau." I wonder what else is changing?... 3:44:07 PM

As Bush Speaks, MSNBC Airs Interview With Its Own Boss
Several site visitors noticed MSNBC's decision to talk about company politics rather than air a presidential statement this afternoon. One person writes that "while FOX and CNN took the Presdient live with his comments about Nick Berg at 1:05pm, MSNBC was with Bob Wright tallking about the NBC and Universal deal." "Way to go, Rick Kaplan!," a second e-mailer says... 3:05:05 PM

Beheading: "Something we should not sanitize when we describe it"
MSNBC VP Phil Griffin describes talking to his talent about the beheading video: "I talked to every one of my anchors. "I said, 'You're going to have to describe it in a way that captures just how horrible it is. Look at it, or have somebody on the staff look at it. It doesn't do it justice to just say 'decapitated.' This is something we should not sanitize when we describe it.'" Griffin's summary of the video: "Horrific. Barbarian. Unbelievable." The Miami Herald has more... 3:04:14 PM

FOX: Olbermann A "Tortured Soul;" Career Is A "Train Wreck"
FOX's response to Keith Olbermann's comments about Bill O'Reilly are classic: "Since he stopped reading sports scores, Keith has attracted fewer viewers than a test pattern and his career has been nothing short of a train wreck. We pity his tortured soul and wish him all the best," a spokesman tells the WP... 9:30:44 AM

Maria Bartiromo: Goodbye NYSE, Hello 'Today'?
Maria Bartiromo will report from the floor of the NYSE for the last time on Friday, the NY Daily News reports. She is moving on: "I want to try my hand in other areas," she says. "I'll have a broader platform on NBC." Quoting Phyllis Furman: "Expect to see the CNBC anchor more frequently on NBC News programs where she appeared Saturday anchoring the "Today" newsdesk. NBC also has agreed to fund a production company led by Bartiromo that will create programing on business and other topics." 9:26:50 AM

Self-Censorship May Be A Mistake, FOX News VP Says
FOX News Senior VP suggests sometimes viewers should see the whole truth: "Many TV networks, including Fox News, deemed the [Fallujah] pictures too shocking to air. Fox also heavily censored a videotape of torture sessions carried out by Saddam's regime. In retrospect, that may have been a mistake. Without showing the charred bodies of Americans dangling in ignominy, or the lopped off-arms of justice Saddam-style, how can we judge the pictures we are now clucking over?" Here's his full editorial... 5:24:40 PM

Beheading: What If...
Allow me to just float an idea here. What would be the reaction if one of the cable news web sites streamed the beheading video? No unsuspecting viewer would be caught off-guard. I've watched the clip several times now, and the parts you don't see on TV are the parts that are truly impactful. In this Internet age, at what point do media organizations stop playing gatekeeper, and start providing raw content for consumers who want it? 5:06:54 PM

Karl Penhaul Reflects on Pool Assignment
Karl Penhaul offers a dispatch from Fallujah on CNN.com. He says he "scrambled in the dirt in a flak jacket and helmet jerry-rigging cables and wires to send images of the fight for Fallujah to the world," but notes that his actions don't compare to the Marines who died there. He describes limitations on live broadcasts: "We couldn't show the victims giving their blood on TV because their families were still unwittingly sleeping 6,000 miles away in the United States." 4:23:58 PM

Beheading: CNN Takes "Special Care Checking And Vetting" Tape
Kyra Phillips said CNN "took special care checking and vetting before we went to air with it." As of 2:34pm, CNN was still playing the tape. Their reporting showed the strengths of its international desk: They said their analysts report it "doesn't seem like the voice of Zarqawi." 2:36:49 PM

Beheading: FOX Continues To Play Video Intermittently
As the news broke, FOX replayed video of Berg sitting in front of five men several times. The video was pulled directly off the web site. At 2:30pm, FOX decided to stop showing the video. Quoting Laurie Dhue: "We have decided not to show the video we showed you earlier, of Mr. Berg in front of those five hooded men," she said. Gregg Jarrett said he had seen the video, and called it "barbaric and horrific."
Also: Earlier this afternoon, FOX's left hand didn't know what the right was doing: Kelly Wright, reporting from Baghdad, mentioned that a body of an American had been recovered in the city. "We don't know his name yet," Wright said, but the lower-third listed Berg as the victim.
UPDATE: 5:31PM: Dhue meant that FOX would not go past that point in the video. "We have been showing the video intermittently since that time and plan to do so throughout remainder of the day/night," a FOX News spokesperson says. 2:35:05 PM

Olbermann Takes O'Reilly-Bashing Bait: Factor is "neither news nor truth"

FHM: Countdown airs against Fox News's The O'Reilly Factor. Commence shit talking about your competition now. OLBERMANN: Bill O'Reilly is not of this earth. He has an exceptionally well-designed television show, but it is neither of news nor truth. The number of factual errors on that show on a given night exceeds our audience. And what I love is the positioning of themselves as the counterculture, when in fact they are the editors. That is fascinating to me. These things and people like him always tend to meet very unhappy ends. FHM: You and Bill are both tall and have both worked in Boston. Shouldn't there be some camaraderie there? The key thing that's left out of Bill O'Reilly's career is that he got to where he is by being an adject failure at every step. He was kind of the buffoon of local news in New York and in Boston.

Here's a PDF scan of the interview. 8:50:59 AM

CNN's Pakistan Office Sealed By Police; Staffers Detained
Updating this story from Monday night: CNN's Lahore, Pakistan office is apparently still sealed off by police. A local newspaper "quoted police sources as saying that about 36 policemen raided the office-cum-residence after receiving information about a bomb being planted on the premises. Sources alleged the move was made to restrain the CNN from covering Shahbaz Sharif's arrival." CNN staffers have apparently been detained for questioning... 8:46:39 AM

Jim Miller Arrested; Abuse Alleged; Claims Innocence
Former 360/Zahn Now executive producer Jim Miller has been arrested for allegedly hitting his wife. The NYPost picks it up: "Friends of Miller say his wife had been trying to get him to move out for seven weeks and filed the assault charge as a cheap, legal ploy to seize possession of the house." "I'm completely innocent," he told Page Six. "I would never hurt her." CNN suspended Miller in March... 8:44:15 AM

Prisoner Photos: The Media Decision To Run Them, Or Not
Here comes the first in what promises to be a long line of stories about the media's decision to run the prisoner photos: The New York Times says that "news organizations increasingly find themselves part of the debate" about the images and their impact on public opinion. 8:30:34 AM

Prisoner Photos: FOX Using Images "Less And Less"
According to the NYT story, FOX News "not giving [the prisoner photos much] prominence to the latest picture because the public already understood what had happened." They quote E.P. Bill Shine: "Day by day, we are dialing back on their use and attempting to put them in context," he says. 8:30:25 AM

Prisoner Photos: "The power of the image over the word"
Jeff Greenfield offered an analysis of why the images are so powerful on NewsNight Monday: "...It is once again pictures that compel us to stop and look and ask whether a handful of these images can overwhelm the fundamental premise of the conflict. Ever since Mathew Brady took his camera on to the battlefields of the Civil War, the power of the image over the word has been clear. The image can sometimes invoke a sense of triumph and purpose that 1,000 words cannot." NewsNight realized the power of still photos many, many news cycles ago. Read the rest. 8:28:41 AM

Prisoner Photos: Aaron Brown on the Deeper Meaning
Aaron Brown's show open Monday night was perfect. Read it:

On Friday on this page we talked about whether the pictures of the Iraqi prisoners should have been released at all. Tonight, the issue has moved beyond that to whether all those other pictures, perhaps even more sadistic and sad, should be released at all. The discussion itself is somewhat academic, we think. Eventually they will be released. If we don't do it here, the Internet will have them. They will be everywhere. Everything is these days. And when they are released there will be more damage, though it's hard to imagine the damage could be worse than it already is. The question of last Friday hasn't changed simply because there are more questions. The pictures and how the government decides to handle them will be part of how we are seen as a free and open society. It is always easy to be good in the easy times with pleasant news. The better test is the harder one and that is where we are again tonight.

Here is the full transcript. 8:24:48 AM

The earlier story, "Rumor Mill: Amanpour Ready To Go?," has been retracted. 12:36:32 AM

CNN Pakistani Producer Detained; Bomb Threat?
Quoting a report from Pakistan: "CNN regional producer Syed Mohsin Naqvi was detained at his residence here on Monday evening. The police personnel managed their entry into the house of Syed Mohsin Naqvi while giving a pretext that somebody had planted a bomb somewhere inside the premises." He is a producer in the Islamabad bureau... 12:06:12 AM

Quote of the day
Jay Rosen has a must-read post at PressThink: "How often has it been asked: Should television news give people what they want or what they need? Murrow Nation got itself lost somewhere in the territory around that question. Bettag points forward. Television news is good business when it puts the interests of a viewing public first. A public has wants, and a public has needs. The point is: who shall interpret them? 12:02:54 AM

"I'm not a right-wing ideologue," trial MSNBC anchor says
Media Matters for America follows up on their report about trial MSNBC anchor Bud Hedinger. Bud told the Orlando Sentinel that he was "flabbergasted" by the original report. "Do I often see things from the conservative side of the ledger? Yes. But I welcome, even beg, for the opposing viewpoint. I'm not a right-wing ideologue." Bud appeared all over MSNBC's Newsforce programming last week... 10:49:58 PM

Aaron Brown: "It feels like the first day of school"
"It feels like the first day of school," Aaron Brown said in his NewsNight newsletter tonight. "We are in our new offices and we're still feeling out where everything is and how to do the simple every day tasks. Soon enough we'll get into our routine." The Whip had a bit of audio trouble. His intro was top-notch, and I will reprint it in full tomorrow morning. Paraphrasing the beginning: "We are in a new home tonight, and for a few weeks, on a new set. The news tonight, sadly, remains the same." 10:18:40 PM

Another Reason Why Anchors Should Blog
Greta uses her FOXNews.com journal to point out an interesting apparent mistake in an Electronic Media story that mentioned her show... 10:17:38 PM

CNN: Please Do Not Abuse The 9/11 Music
Rant: Larry King offered a short tribute to comedian Alan King at the end of his broadcast. It was nice until Larry tossed until a commercial break. That's when the tech folks started playing the September 11 music atop a photo of Alan. What were you thinking? If there was ever a music clip not to be abused, it's that one. (Listen to it here [the first 27 seconds of it] courtesy of CNNfan.com.) It still gives me chills. No individual death deserves that audio clip... 10:17:18 PM

The Transcript of FOX News Sunday's 'Accomplishments' Report
Mark says that Dave's summary of the FOX News Sunday 'What We've Accomplished' segment was terribly unfair, and suggests we all read the full transcript to make up our own minds. FOX also posted its research in PDF form. But it bothers me: All the statements are attributed to the DOD, CPA, USAID, or other military sources. Shouldn't the media be independently confirming all this stuff?... 10:16:57 PM

Ratings in Context: Spongebob!
"Fox News took out newspaper ads today claiming that its cable TV ratings topped CNN and MSNBC - combined," Dave writes on DCRTV.com. "Yeah, but Nickelodeon's "Spongebob Squarepants" beat Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC - combined..." 8:50:01 PM

ABC Vet Mark Nelson For Top 'Zahn Now' Spot?
The TVWeek Insider has an update on the search for a 'Paula Zahn Now' E.P.: It "appears to have zeroed in on Mark Nelson, who spent 17 years at ABC News (with a long stint at "Nightline") before becoming VP and executive producer of news for the National Geographic Channel when it launched in 2001." 1:22:16 PM

Mailbag: What Should Rupert's New Channel Be?
Some very fun responses to my solicitation for suggestions now that Rupert Murdoch has announced he will establish a FOX spinoff by the end of the year. My favorite?: "A home shopping network. To sell ALL THE BOOKS HIS FOLKS WRITE."
Other suggestions: Entertainment channel, headline news-type service, international channel, Spanish-language channel, and a nude news...
> Mailbag: Your suggestions for Murdoch's new FOX channel 10:47:15 AM

Note to CNN: Let's Hire Staff Who Know History
An anonymous e-mailer expresses frustration at CNN: "At 6pm Sunday on CNN Carol Lin did a segement on the "whistleblowers" of the 1968 My Lai Massacre. While the segment experienced audio IFB/and audio problems, the most glaring mistake was the incorrect pronunciation of My Lai (ME LIE). In both the tease and set-up spot Lin pronounced the Vietnamese village as it is spelled, which is totally wrong. You would think the Anchor, Producers, or Editors would have caught this error before air. My Lai became one of the turning points in the Vietnam war and one would hope everyone in the media would know how to pronounce it. To be fair, someone must have caught the mistake because Carol did pronounced the village correctly in the live interview portion. Having spent a lifetime helping build CNN from the early days, this was just another painful moment to watch what our "legacy" has become." 10:45:03 AM

Impressions of Chris Wallace's 'Improvements'
DCRTV Dave takes aim at Chris Wallace's Nightline 'corrective:' "I caught Fox Newser Chris Wallace's response to Ted Koppel's reading of the names of Iraq war dead. On Sunday's "Fox News Sunday," Chris vowed to put those deaths into "context." According to Chris, among the many ideals our young men and women have shed blood for are new school textbooks that do not feature Saddam, more homes and businesses sprouting TV satellite dishes, and
improved cell phone reception throughout Baghdad. All improvements, to be sure, but are they worth their cost in American (and Iraqi) blood?" You decide... 10:40:18 AM

Imus Is Getting A Makeover
Quoting Howard Kurtz in the Post: "MSNBC executives plan to move the I-Man and his crew from their Queens studio to a new set in Secaucus, N.J., to add more visual elements and glitzier production. One complication: Imus needs a way to keep broadcasting in the 9-to-10 a.m. hour, when MSNBC has moved on to other programming." 9:11:56 AM

Rudi Wants Reporting Opportunities and Editorial Control
Rudi Bakhitar is sick of sitting behind the CNN Headline News desk: “I haven’t gone anywhere in a year and a half," she lamented in a speech at Harvard this weekend. "[I’m] hoping I’ll go back into the field. I feel pigeon-holed right now. I hope next contract I can be a reporter.” The Harvard Crimson also quotes her frustration about editorial control on the show: “I have a reputation at CNN of being very hard to work with,” she said. “I don’t have editorial control. I fight every night with producers about what [story] should come first.” 9:11:23 AM

CNN's Non-Union Workers Clash At RNC Site
CNN has run into a snag for its Republican National Convention coverage this summer: The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers won't allow them to install the miles of electric cables they need to broadcast the event, because CNN is a non-union operation. The NYPost says FOX has a similar problem. (Note to News Corp: Why did Murdoch's Post call Murdoch-owned FNC the 'Fox News Network'?) 9:10:32 AM

LA Times Editor Blasts FOX News
Los Angeles Times editor John Carroll blasted FOX News in a speech at the University of Oregon last week, the Oregon Daily Emerald reports. He referenced the fact that FOX viewers were more likely than other media consumers to have believed one or more of the misconceptions about Iraq: "How in the world could Fox have left its listeners so deeply in the dark?," Carroll asked. The story has resulted in a long line of comments on the site... (Hat tip: MSNBC MSN) 11:08:44 PM

Quote of the day
From Reliable Sources: 'Newshour' correspondent Terence Smith on Gore's cable TV channel purchase: "Listen, if you accept the notion that -- CNN insists that it's neither left or right, but straight news. And if you accept that Fox is over on the right, with a liberal voice, what's wrong with another corresponding left?" 11:05:54 PM

MSNBC Anchors Love Their Moms
MSNBC anchors celebrate their moms on MSNBC.com. Amy, Alison, Laurie, Bianca, Alex, John and Monica all share anecdotes. Quoting Robach: "My mom always told me to 'believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear.' It was advice she used to help me get through the sometimes contentious years of young adulthood, where gossip and innuendo reign. It certainly helped me to 'consider the source' not only then, but now, in my career as a journalist." 12:15:33 PM

Carving A Niche For Debbie
Over at TVHeads, 'PHCB' has an idea for Deborah Norville: "...An hour spent with Lionel Richie, 20 of those minutes she left him play at the piano. Perhaps this is her niche, she should let all the other shows handle the news and daily events, and she should try to spend an hour a night with entertainers." 12:07:43 PM

NewsNight Moves: Aaron Brown's Must-Read Note
NewsNight aired its last program from its "ratty old building on 34th and 8th" in NYC. The program and its staff has moved to Columbus Circle. Quoting Aaron:

"...If ever there was a program that was in some way defined by a building, this one is it. It is on top of this building, on the roof two and a half years ago, that the program was born. On that horrible day of 9-11, NewsNight, which had no name at the time but did have an idea, began."

It's a must-read newsletter. He even takes a jab at FOX: "We are a place where 'fair and balanced' isn't someone’s pr slogan, but a treasured value." Here's the full letter... 2:10:45 AM

Olbermann Reveals Pressure From White House
The DU'ers are getting a kick out of Keith Olbermann's conversation with Amb. Joesph Wilson Tuesday night:
OLBERMANN: You do know that they are still going after you, right? We promoted the fact that you would be on this show tonight. Today we received three separate copies of the same e-mail with talking points from the White House, one asking a contact here “Can you please get this to the Olbermann people. Wilson is on the Olbermann show.” Misspelled my name, by the way, but that‘s neither here nor there. Another one asks one of our producers “I understand you have Mr. Wilson on. Can you please call me on this?”
WILSON: No, I‘m not surprised at all. I tell you this administration has tried to manage and direct the news from the very beginning.
Here is the transcript... 6:09:01 PM

If You Were Rupert Murdoch...
If you were Rupert Murdoch, what new FOX channel would you create? It's feedback time, and I will send your letters to News Corp. Give me details -- name, strategy, programming, hosts. Use the form above, or e-mail [email protected]... 2:32:35 PM

G. Gordon Liddy Enters The Crossfire
Quoting a CNN press release: "Crossfire co-host Paul Begala will be joined on the show by conservative talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy on Friday, May 7, when they will debate the news of the day." 2:02:44 PM

Lionel Richie Talks To Debbie Tonight
A press release copy/paste: "Music legend Lionel Richie gives a rare one-on-one interview tonight with MSNBC's Deborah Norville, discussing his longtime friend Michael Jackson's troubles, his daughter Nicole Richie and her struggle with drug abuse, and his new album, 'Just for You.'"
Update: 6:01pm: "MSNBC saying it has a 'rare' 1 on 1 interview with Lionel Richie is laughable," an anonymous e-mailer says. "He is on a publicity tour for his new album." 1:36:37 PM

No More 'News:' CNBC Cancels Primetime Program
It's a sad day. Beginning May 14, there will be no more 'News.' CNBC has announced the cancellation of the flagship hour-long news program to make way for "programming with broader appeal in primetime," TV Week reports. "Our decision to move in a different strategic direction with our programming has necessitated this change," Pamela Thomas-Graham said. A different strategic direction? "Does that mean the N in CNBC means no more news?," flotsam asks in an e-mail... 12:46:38 AM

No More 'News:' Employees To Be Shifted To "Important New Initiatives"
So what about the 16 employees of 'The News?' They will apparently be shifted to other projects in the "family:" "I am pleased that the talented of group of professionals at 'The News' will still be able to contribute to other programs in the NBC News family," Neal Shapiro said in a P.R. quoted by TV Week. "We know that NBC News will be putting them to work on several important new initiatives," Thomas-Graham said. Important new initiatives?... 12:45:54 AM

No More 'News:' History Lesson; Who/What Will Replace It?
> "The News" premiered on MSNBC and CNBC in 1996. It became exclusive to CNBC in 2002. John Seigenthaler took over anchoring duties from Brian Williams last December.
> 'Cover to Cover' repeats will fill the time slot for the time being.
> Just a random question: Is the spot being cleared for Al Sharpton? Howard Dean? Heck, maybe even Kwame? How about Apprentice reruns? Just thinking out loud... 12:45:53 AM

Stock Tips From A Pro Wrestler!
What is this world coming to? CNBC has retained World Wrestling Entertainment star John 'Bradshaw' Layfield as a contributor. He will appear on Bullseye and Squawk Box, among other shows. "Layfield, best known as one of World Wrestling Entertainment's top attractions, has always had a keen interest in finance and Wall Street," the press release says... 12:45:22 AM

A Snag For FOX's CNN-Bashing Billboard
Recall the post earlier this week about FOX's new billboard? There's a hitch. Quoting the trusty AP wire: Fox claims the owners of the billboard, across the street from CNN's Atlanta offices, refuse to post a message trumpeting Fox's successes in the ratings war between the cable networks. Fox lawyer Dianne Brandi said in a letter that Atlanta company Camfaux may have buckled to pressure from CNN not to put up the message. 'Should you choose not to put up the billboard immediately, we will consider all options available to us, including, of course, legal options,' Brandi wrote"... 12:44:57 AM

Scarborough Insults His Bosses
Mark writes in with a note from Scarborough Country: "[The topic was Gore's new TV channel.] One of the panelists says something along the lines of they laughed when NBC started THIS channel. Scarborough lets out a laugh and says, "Some still are!" But a few minutes later he interrupts the discussion to explain that he was referring to his particular show, not MSNBC as a whole: "I was attempting some self-deprecating humor, and I insulted my bosses." (I wonder about that hasty explanation--for some reason I get the impression something he heard in his earpiece may have encouraged it!)" 12:42:46 AM

Rupert's New Channel: What Will It Be?
The Financial Times has a quote from Murdoch: "We're looking at a number of [channel] genres, ones in which we have particular expertise and which would be natural extensions of the Fox brand. I'm highly confident that whatever we choose will have an immediate effect on DirecTV and our other platforms." Mark says Murdoch was on Cavuto this afternoon: "They discussed the new channel, and it was not at all clear that it was to be a news channel. Murdoch said it could be in the area of news, entertainment, or sports." 12:42:15 AM

CNN Hires Former P.O.W. For Iraq Analysis
CNN has hired a former U.S. Army officer and pilot who spent 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq, the network announced Thursday. He is hired from Saturday, May 29, through Sunday, July 4 "as a special contributor to the network's coverage of the war on terrorism," a press release said. "Ron's unique experience as an Army helicopter pilot and prisoner of war in Iraq will help us provide perspective of the situation in Iraq and the challenges facing the men and women of the armed forces," said Princell Hair... 10:43:48 PM

CNN Announces New International Correspondents, Anchor
"CNN has appointed three new international correspondents in London, Bangkok and Tokyo as well as a new London-based anchor for CNN International," a press release Thursday says. Paula Hancocks and Aneesh Raman have been promoted to the position of video correspondents; V.C. Alphonso Van Marsh has been deployed to Turkey; Atika Shubert has been named full-time correspondent in Japan; and Andrea Sanke has been hired as an anchor... 10:40:19 PM

FOX News To Launch New Channel By End Of 2004
Rupert Murdoch says FOX News will launch another channel by the end of the year. Quoting the AP wire: "On a conference call with investors and reporters, Murdoch said the company planned to launch a new Fox channel by the end of the year, and other channels over the next several years, but he declined to offer more specifics. Fox News Channel has been considering the launch of a business news channel." 8:01:59 PM

Introspection: I Try To Be Nice To The Nets...
My pro-CNN comments and pro-FOX ratings data Wednesday resulted in some interesting e-mails. "Thanks for carrying some positive news about CNN," one person said. "I'm sensing a change here lately, has there been a change in the writer or editor?," another person asked (joked?) But Shelley was annoyed at me: "I realize that Fox has no doubt been kissing your butt since they keep 'leaking' info to you but please recognize that you are being manipulated just as the American viewers are." Careful with the assumptions, eh? Raw numbers are hard to manipulate. Besides, any person with access to ratings data is welcome to send over their side of the story... 7:01:40 PM

In Washington D.C. all afternoon, then up to Baltimore...updates late tonight. 12:29:45 PM

Last Week's News Viewer Index
Cynopsis has the data: In total day, "Fox News had 49% of the viewing, CNN 27%, MSNBC 13%; and Headline News 11%." In primetime, "Fox News had 51%, CNN 29%, MSNBC 12% and Headline News 7%." 8:38:03 AM

CNN's Ed Henry 'Feted'
Robert beat me to it: The National Debate reprints the Hardball Briefing newsletter's description of a party for new CNN correspondent Ed Henry. He names the attendees and even describes the food... 8:36:16 AM

Wallace: Nightline Came Out Like A Ratings Stunt
Chris Wallace thinks Nightline’s ‘Fallen’ ended up being a ratings stunt: “I'll take Ted at his word that ABC did not intend it as a political statement or a ratings stunt. But when you look at all the factors - the one-year anniversary of President Bush declaring major combat over, the fact the U.S. has just had a rough stretch there, all the promotion he did for it - I think it came out that way." Chris will air a ‘corrective’ Sunday morning on FOX News Sunday… 8:33:47 AM

Comparing The Ratings: FOX's Double Digits vs. The Others
Let’s play a comparison game. Tuesday’s ratings:

O'Reilly -- 2.0 Zahn -- .4 Olbermann -- .3

Hannity & Colmes -- 1.9 Larry King -- 1.1 Deborah Norville -- .3

Greta -- 1.3 Aaron Brown -- .8 Scarborough -- .3

In total day on Tuesday, FOX averaged a .8, compared to CNN’s .4 and MSNBC’s .3. Drudge says Shep had a 1.5 last night, Hardball had a .5, and Dennis Miller had a .1... 6:32:04 PM

"MSNBC and FOX have nothing on CNN today"
'EdinUSA' agrees that CNN did a great job today: "MSNBC and Fox have nothing on CNN today. The use of Octavia Nasr repeatedly throughout the day is genius. She is well-connected, fluent in Arabic and explains it all very clearly to American viewers, even saying things we may not be willing to admit. Furthermore, questioning of her by Daryn Kagan and Wolf Blitzer has been very simple and insigtful...Blitzer's conversation with Nasr about the language Bush used and how it would translate into Arabic was terribly insightful. The best MSNBC could do was find an Arab journalist based in DC to discuss what he THOUGHT Arab reaction would be. Any viewer watching CNN today ACTUALLY LEARNED SOMETHING during the Q&A;'s, something that BARELY happens during breaking news coverage. Furthermore, the networks, save for Fox, were good to not jump to Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut, Gaza and Baghdad for immediate Arab reaction." 3:05:12 PM

Kudos To CNN For Bush-Interview Coverage
CNN's coverage of Bush's Aarab TV interviews was top-notch this morning. Daryn Kagan moderated a dialogue with Judy Woodruff, Suzanne Malveaux, CNN senior editor for Arab affairs Octavia Nasr, and a rep from Human Rights Watch. They avoiding slapping the "breaking news" banner on the coverage, thankfully. CNN offered "rolling coverage" and skipped commercials for the first third of the hour. On FOX, it was an "Alert" in between commercials. By 11:16am, Bridget Quinn was tossing to Jeff Goldblatt to ask about reaction in the Arab world." Bridget, there is no excuse for such stupidity... 11:20:49 AM

MSNBC Wants To Know About Your Love Life
MSNBC is looking for couples to feature in a new documentary series called "Love and Marriage in the 21st Century: How Men and Women Get Along." They are looking for couples who are "successful," "just starting out," having problems, going through a divorce, etc. Click here to submit your story... 11:18:44 AM

Fun With Lower-Thirds
> Is CNN pushing its producers to use lower thirds as a promotional tool? It certainly seemed that way during Live From yesterday, as teases for Larry King Live, Inside Politics and 360 were flashed repeatedly.
> This chyron on Hannity & Colmes made me laugh last night: "Coming up: Is Hillary less liberal than you think?" Assume much? 9:10:10 AM

Gore: "This is not going to be a liberal network"
Quoting the Hollywood Reporter: "Gore made a point of countering previous reports speculating that the channel would provide a left-wing counterbalance to Fox News Channel." Quoting Gore: "This is not going to be a liberal network or a Democratic network or a political network in any way, shape or form." Let's keep this quote in mind years from now... 12:46:01 AM

Harrigan's Compelling Videophone Reports From Karbala
Mark says FOX had a great exclusive tonight: "Steve Harrigan's live reports from a firefight in Karbala. Pretty good green-tint images; you could actually make out the people (barely). It took up most of the 7:30pm half hour, but they dropped out of it for Mr. Bill at 8:00pm." Greta aired a package from Steve at the top of the 10pm hour; Harrigan said they had waited a long time for an embed spot, but it was worth it... 12:45:58 AM

It's Moving Week At NewsNight
If his Wednesday newsletter is any indication, Aaron didn't have a great day: "Whoever invented meetings should live in a special part of hell. Other than that, and the fact that the office is in that "we are moving this week" state, all is well at NewsNight." To Columbus Circle? 12:44:50 AM

Applying The "Only On FOX" Logic To Other Stories
DCRTV Dave made me laugh out loud with this e-mail: "Neil Cavuto logic. Yeah, the Fox News biz dult is back today. And he promises "good news" from Baghdad - the news you won't find on other nets. OK, fine. So, how about applying that news "logic" to other stories on Fox. How about the millions of acres in California NOT being plagued by "raging wild fires?" Or all the pop stars NOT being put on trial for allegedly molesting young boys? Or how about all the beautiful young co-eds that have NOT gone missing? Or all the pick-up trucks being driven around LA or Houston NOT leading cops in copter-covered sensationalist chases down the freeway? Sheesh..." 4:55:15 PM

"CNN's Ratings are Gone With the Wind," FOX Says (on Billboard)
The new billboard going up outside CNN's Atlanta headquarters tomorrow, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "Now that CNN's Ratings are Gone With the Wind, Our Work on This Board is Done. We Love You Atlanta. --- Brought to you by your friends at Fox News Channel. --- Sign up with AMERICA'S NEWSROOM! Forward resumes to [email protected]." 2:24:13 PM

Quote(s) of the day
From AJC: "In fact, [FOX spokesman Paul] Schur argued, the ratings war is over. Finished. Mission accomplished. Fox is No. 1, and CNN is battling for a humiliating second place with MSNBC." Quoting Schur: "We feel the [ratings] war is over for now. CNN is closer to MSNBC, and we wish them well in the battle for second place." 2:24:10 PM

FOXNews.com Triples Broadband Traffic
"Foxnews.com has more than tripled traffic to the broadband section of its Web site since it launched a greatly expanded package of video content in January," MediaChannel reports. Quoting site GM Bert Solivan: "We've had some significant growth"... 10:53:59 AM

O'Reilly Guest Stars On 'Judging Amy'
Quoting TV Guide: "Fox News braggart Bill O'Reilly charged Judging Amy producers a fair and balanced fee for his guest appearance on the May 18 season finale. "He worked for scale," says Amy executive producer Joe Stern in the current issue of TV Guide magazine. "He didn't try and stick us." In the episode, O'Reilly — playing himself — blasts Amy for setting free a would-be killer." (Hat tip: The National Debate) 9:14:46 AM

Gore To Announce Acquisition of Newsworld Today
...Wonkette reports that the announcement will come at 1pm ET. "The content of channel will not change, says our operative, 'They bought a full-functioning network. . . they're probably gradually going to change it.'" 9:14:40 AM

Louis Rukeyser Sidelined For Several More Months
CNBC host Louis Rukeyser will be off the air for "the forseeable future" because of a "low-grade malignancy." He last appeared on his weekly show in October. Quoting a statement from Louis: "The treatments for that have been ongoing and will continue. Progress has been evident and I thought by now I would be back in action on my regular schedule. Unfortunately, although the tests indicate that a complete recovery is in the cards, my doctors have told me that further rest is needed and not to consider going back to work for several more months." The WashPost and LA Times have more... 9:13:32 AM

MSNBC.com Cuts Cartoon; "Standards of Fairness and Taste" Weren't Met
MSNBC.com ran Ted Rall's controversial cartoon concerning Pat Tillman Monday afternoon. A note on the web site says: "The cartoon, like others on MSNBC.com, is published daily on the site via an automated syndication feed. Such feeds are rarely reviewed. However, MSNBC.com Editor in chief Dean Wright concluded Monday’s Rall item did not meet MSNBC.com standards of fairness and taste."
> Also: Ted Rall's web site response 12:14:00 AM

FAIR Complains That 'March' Was Under-Covered
FAIR has issued an action alert surrounding limited coverage of the March for Women's Lives last month. "Of three Fox News stories found on Nexis related to the march, two focused on anti-abortion activists...even CNN failed to treat the march as the historic occasion that it was, running just a small handful of brief march-related stories on Saturday and Monday." 12:11:14 AM

MSNBC Covers Tillman Memorial; FOX, CNN Barely Mention It
"FOX and MSNBC should be ashamed," Zoey writes on TVHeads today. "MSNBC, via Lester Holt, is providing beautiful coverage of the memorial service for Pat Tillman, a true American hero. Meanwhile, Lou Dobbs on CNN is yaking about the presidential campaign, and the slimeballs at Fox are doing what they always do, shilling for Bush. As far as I can tell, neither CNN nor Fox has even mentioned that the memorial service is ongoing. Shame on them both." CNN offered a two minute live report in the second half of the 6pm hour... 11:50:24 PM

WHCA Dinner: "The media's answer to prom night"
Greta calls the White House Correspondents Dinner "the media's answer to 'prom night'" in a photo essay from the event. The most interesting photo: MSNBC/Hardball's Ron Reagan interviewing Apprentice runner-up Kwame Jackson, who happens to be in talks with CNBC/MSNBC... 11:47:40 PM

First Impressions of Bud
How'd you like MSNBC's noon anchor? "He did really well, has that Lou Dobbs type delivery/look, very professional, and I hope they hire him," an MSNBC MSN poster says. Some of the TVSpys weren't as impressed: "He's a chubby, bland, deer-in-headlights, middle-aged white guy named Bud," one writes. "He's a 1950's type anchor," another person says. One site visitor writes in with a note: "It worries me a little that MSNBC is willing to hire someone as an "objective" anchor role who has already let his views be known. If this guy gets hired, everytime that I see him interviewing political pundits, I will have it in the back of my mind that he is a conservative." He'll be back at noon tomorrow... 11:45:56 PM

Conservative Radio Host On A "Trial Run For MSNBC"
"Veteran TV anchorman" Bud Hedinger is doing a "trial run for MSNBC this week," the Orlando Sentinel reports. "If they like what I do, they'll hire me," he says. Bud currently hosts an afternoon radio show. Quoting the newspaper: "Hedinger reports that he loves the radio gig and wasn't searching for the new job opportunity, which came as a "complete bolt out of the blue. Hedinger also says he's not too worried about questions about his objectivity -- which he largely abandoned when he made the switch from TV anchor to radio commentator...Everyone in the news business has an opinion, he says. The trick, which he says he knows well, is to not let it affect your job." He's very pro-Bush... 12:42:52 PM

WHCA Dinner: The Cable Tidbits
> Wonkette points out that "you can tell where the Fox table is by where the applause starts at each mention of "brave fighting men" or whatever."
> AdAge dissects Jay Leno's Geraldo joke: "...He mocked Geraldo Rivera's disclosure of American troop movements in Iraq by depicting the stunt-journalist in mock-newscasts over the years, divulging that the Trojan Horse was full of enemy soldiers, and telling Wold War II-era "viewers" he was standing in front of Holocaust victim Anne Frank's hideout -- a report he then offered to repeat in German." Jon Fine says one of the night's highlights was "Geraldo Rivera's burgundy-tinted granny-glasses"...
> Rick Kaplan sighting (from Wonkette:) "MSNBC's would-be savior, Rick Kaplan...is escorting around Morgan Fairchild, who is impressively wasp-waisted, heavily made-up, and seems in danger of being thrown off-balance by her hair." 12:42:08 PM

Dave's On Bias Watch
DCRTV Dave is on bias watch: "When its talking heads talk about Bush, Fox runs pics of the prez proudly strutting his stuff across the White House lawn. Today, when doing the same about evil lefty John Kerry, Fox ran pics of the Dem decending stairs from an airplane and tripping on the final step. I bet Roger Ailes' goons got a chuckle out of that one..." 12:41:19 PM

"We came under fire:" Palestinians Shoot At CNN Crew
Haaretz reports that a CNN film crew came under Palestinian fire Sunday and attempted to warn a family who was subsequently killed. "Four of us in the CNN crew were driving from Israel on the main road going into the Gush Katif settlement bloc in Gaza," Paula Hancocks told Israel Radio. "We came under fire. Multiple rounds were fired at our car, the first one an armored car that I was in. My producer sitting on the near side said he saw two gunmen shooting and running towards our armored car. Behind, our cameraman was in a non-armored car, in a normal Land Rover. He was also shot at but luckily he escaped unhurt. We drove on to the nearest army checkpoint, told them what happened, stopped the cars from coming the other way. Then they sent the soldiers and the ambulances in to see what had happened." 12:07:46 AM

Bill O'Reilly Defends Himself Against Canadian Complaints
From Canadian Press: "Fox News Channel commentator Bill O'Reilly wants it known he's not really as rabidly controversial as he's being portrayed by other media outlets, including at least one in Canada." He denies that he dislikes Canada... 12:06:02 AM

FNS's Wallace Promises Nightline Corrective Next Week
Thanks to everyone who e-mailed the answer to my question. NewsMax quotes Wallace:

"After listening to all the debate, then watching the show, we think the folks at 'Nightline' made a mistake this week, listing all the brave men and women who have died in Iraq, but without providing the context of what they went half way around the world to do. "So next week, we here at 'Fox News Sunday' are going to put together our own list, a list of what we've accomplished there, with the blood, sweat, and yes, lives of our military. "We think the point is not just that those hundreds of troops died, but what they died for. And we hope you watch next week."

On Scarborough Country Sunday night, Joe referenced FNS's plans and said that "I'm sure all of us at MSNBC will be watching that with bated breath" (thanks Mark). 12:05:39 AM

Mailbag, Part 2: Nightline v. Sinclair
The e-mails about the Nightline/Sinclair controversy keep coming. Here is another round of comments:
> Mailbag: Nightline v. Sinclair 11:32:36 AM

Ralph Reed Only Watches FOX
Ex-Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed says he only watches FOX News. "The gatekeepers of dominant media have lost their monopoly on information," he says. The AP has more... 11:29:22 AM

MSNBC Airs Correspondents Dinner Live (on a Saturday Night!)
Mark notices that "MSNBC and FOX are both covering the President at the Correspondents' Dinner tonite (maybe CNN too, don't know). I think this is the first time a cable news network has carried this live (other than C-SPAN of course)." MSNBC scheduled a special hour of MSNBC Live to air the Correspondents Dinner... 11:29:05 AM

What Was Chris Wallace's "Corrective?"
Did anyone watch FOX News Sunday this morning? Newsmax says that Chris Wallace planned a "corrective" to Nightline's reading of Iraq names... 11:28:02 AM