Some people say the weak link might be former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik. who may be persuaded to tell what he knows to get out of jail. Kerik's old friend, Rudy Giuliani -- who promoted Kerik several times while he was Mayor of NYC -- has already called Murdoch "a very honorable, honest man." Seems logicall that Kerik knows something, if not everything about some of the Murdoch-Republicans-Fox deals. What do you think?
calls for investigation
driven
8/3/2011 10:37:42 AM
One of the most interesting things in this whole mess, which Marvin linked to in his post, was the call by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) for a formal investigation.
CREW sent a letter to the House and Senate Commerce Committees asking for hearings into whether James and Rupert Murdoch meet the character standards set out by the FCC to retain their 27 Fox broadcast licenses. Under the law, broadcast frequencies may be used only by people of good “character,” who will serve “the public interest,” and speak with “candor.” Significant character deficiencies may warrant disqualification from holding a license.
Ok. Note that I said interesting. Does anyone think it will actually result in anything beyond that though?
Re: Australian Skeletons--Past and Present
Tenacious
8/3/2011 10:31:03 AM
Interesting Street Smart. Any speculation?
Astonishing?
tokyogai
8/3/2011 9:51:39 AM
AS the whole start of Fox was unfolding, much of it was reported and I can only conclude that most people did not care. The entertainment options to the three existing networks were welcomed and now Fox news is popular among a certain group of conservatives. Frankly I am more concerned about the objectivity of the Wall Street Journal and other Murdoch holdings that are " more mainstream". In those endeavors he is credible and lsitened to.
Australian Skeletons--Past and Present
Street Smart
8/3/2011 9:18:32 AM
Unfortunately, I doubt very much that the Murdoch affair will result in much examination of the press in America. The media is FAR better at examining others than it is at examining itself in the best of times, but at THIS MOMENT in time, the Republicans and Tea Partiers have NO incentive to turn the microscope on themselves or their actions.
Since Day 1, Fox News has been a Republican creation. The deal went through under Ronald Reagan, and it was Marvin Davis, California philanthropist and then owner of 20th Century Fox who gave the deal the lustre to pass muster.
But it was the hiring of Roger Ailes, master of the dark Republican campaign arts (he was the one who created the famous Willie Horton campaign that did in Michael Dukakis against the first George Bush) as head of Fox News that really turned the tide.
Under Ailes, Fox became the haven for Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and drumroll...Sarah Palin!
Which brings me to what I think is REALLY INTERESTING about the Murdoch situation in the US. WHY isn't Sarah Palin running for President? What unholy dealings have taken place between her and Ailes and Murdoch at Fox News that have her walking away from 2012 so decisively?
Wish we had a subpoena to investigate THAT!
Journalism
ProfR
8/3/2011 7:48:16 AM
Interesting article.
It will be interesting to see if this changes any of the boundaries that US news organization have today. News journalism used to be a fairly reputable profession. There has always been some bias but today's news barely looks like news - more like sensationalism. Will this type of inquiry shine a needed light on this profession?
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