08/03/2009 12:35:32 PM EST

MAJOR MSNBC Scandal: Olbermann/Wolffe

posted by neuroshrink

Glen Greenwald, writing at Salon.com, has discovered a major scandal brewing at MSNBC.  Summarized below:

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1. Richard Wolffe, who has been hosting Countdown while Olbermann is on vacation, left Newsweek last March in order to join "Public Strategies, Inc.," the corporate communications firm run by former Bush White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett, its President and CEO.

Greewald:

"MSNBC's just turning over an hour every night to a corporate lobbyist.  Wolffe's role in life is to advance the P.R. interests of the corporations that pay him, including corporations with substantial interests in virtually every political issue that MSNBC and Countdown cover."

2. GE agreed with NEWS Corps Ruepert Murdoch to muzzle Olbermann, who was talking too much trash about Fox News.

3. GE distorts the content on NBC News.

Read more:

http://www.salon.com/opinio n/greenwald/2009/08/01/ge/


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MAJOR MSNBC Scandal: Olbermann/Wolffe | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)
Can't Say I'm Surprised... (none / 0)
It's not like I was ever living under the illusion that MSNBC started promoting more progressive positions for moral rather than business reasons.  Just a reminder that you can't trust any corporate entity to do anything but try to make money.  That's what corporations do, and why we have to keep an eye on all of them.

by mdavidboyd on 08/03/2009 12:46:06 PM EST

typical (none / 0)
but why is this a "major scandal" when fox news has come out iwth So many even worse and more Distinct "Scandals"  (the milk scandal where they buried storys about dangerous chemicals in milk cause it may of affected their sponsors, or the thousands of documents released by whistleblowers showing murdoch directing the stations to lie/alter facts to serve a right wing agenda).

No... this is the scandal....  oiy vaye....  love how we play fair, they play Crooked....

ah well, i knew msnbc was just becoming the fox of the left anyway, thats why i avoid it.   I feel if you live in a extreme of left or right wing politics soley you miss totally how the world really works

by Ectheleon on 08/03/2009 01:26:17 PM EST

It is assumed Fox is corrupt (none / 0)
i think it is a "holy shit" big deal.  

No one takes Fox seriously--even President Obama has described Fox as a station dedicated to attacking him.  There are whole websites like Newshounds about Fox lies.

I feel personally betrayed on Richard Wolffe -- for two years I have watched him as a "Newsweek senior editor" and thought he was ADDING to the credibility of Countdown as a serious print journalist.  I had no idea he had become a Corporate shill -- how can you let a lobbyist host Countdown?  A lobbyist who works for a former Bush official? 

 

by neuroshrink on 08/03/2009 02:08:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]
David Sirota's Must-Read Take (none / 0)
David Sirota: Taboo Alert: The Real - And Most Disturbing - News In the Olbermann-O'Reilly Feud

by Tom Hanc on 08/03/2009 07:44:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Sheeeeeiiiit (none / 0)
How did you know i was having a bad day?

Thanks for this link. I needed that.

It occurred to me while reading his article, that I am going to forge a new plan for myself.

In terms of my media and what I pay for.

In my future I see no cable companies. I will happily pick and choose and PAY for news sources off the grid.

I see myself finally dealing with my drug of addiction. My first true love. My first drug. My first mother.

My television. It is a crook and a liar.
 

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 02:50:10 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Are you (none / 0)
a TYT member?

by Tom Hanc on 08/04/2009 02:51:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
No, I am not. (none / 0)
I have been on the verge all of this past week.

Money is extremely tight...my sig other doesn't share my enthusiasm or my interest.

The sock puppet thing...the confusion i had over whether or not comments were deleted on this site...

Or even hidden. Trying to figure out how restrictive it is here...and how open it is to spammers...watching how it's dealt with.

Trying to get a handle on the 'liberalism' meter here.

In chat...it's scary to me...Is the post game show worth it if you don't participate at least a little?

All these things...so I have been fence-sitting...trying to make up my mind if it's worth the aggro...i mean that in a nice way...

If i do...it will actually be a sacrifice of sorts.

My last questions are of security. I will have to finally use a credit card and give away my actual address etc...

And if there's one thing I've noticed on this site...there are a TON of hacker-like potentials...

Yes, I am paranoid...otoh...when i first got my puter...very illiterate i was...somehow...don't know how...i got myself into a private forum for...wait for it...hackers.

before you think anything silly...let me say...i am still as much of a newb as i was then...tho with security on my puter, of course...

But it was a fascinating introduction into the net world...and i learned a LOT of all the things i will never ever know...lool...amazing...wha t can be done...what can be seen...

anyway...i am not worried about true hackers. not in the least.

i am worried about crackers...you know what i mean...and all the rest that use hacking skills for evil...and not for good.

My secret wish is that there are more actual true hackers here than the other kind...and they keep an eye on things...

uh huh...i know...don't forget, i'm the one who believes in god, too...so that explains it... =]]

Poor you. You asked a simple fucking question and i did this...sry...very frustrated today.

I guess...to answer it better...

No. and it looks like 95% leaning toward signing up in a couple of days.

I MUST put my money where my mouth is. Or I am no good to myself.

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 03:48:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I like the post game show (none / 0)
but my main reason for being a member is to have access to the full podcasts with no breaks. Being able to listen to the show on my time (and pause, rewind, etc.) is awesome.

I've never had issues with security. At any rate, be warned, the post game show sometimes includes politics, but not always.

by Tom Hanc on 08/04/2009 03:57:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]
This again raises the issue (none / 0)
Click Here To See The Root Of The Problem

If corporations are persons, why are they allowed to own other persons (GE owning MSNBC)? Isn't that 'slavery'?

I don't say that to be dramatic, I say that to highlight the absurdity of the corporate personhood argument. Isn't that MSNBC case yet another example of how terrible it is to allow unchecked corporate power?

What most on the right don't seem to get is that unchecked corporate power is just as bad as the Big Government they live in fear of. Thomas Jefferson knew this, as did Republican Teddy Roosevelt and of course FDR. Hell, even Eisenhower gave his now infamous speech on the military industrial complex and we see how that turned out.

Make sure you check out the link at the top of this comment, it's great. Depressing, but very informative.

by Tom Hanc on 08/03/2009 01:26:37 PM EST

Go! (none / 0)
I like the way you think CanCan.

by RedPossum on 08/03/2009 03:03:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
yes yes yes (none / 0)
and ditto

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 02:51:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Its not a major scandal for gods sake (none / 0)
Wolfe has been only one of many guest hosts that have been filling in. MSNBC hasnt changed the format of the show at all.

I suspect he was chosen because he has been a guest on the show several times. Howard Deen was also guest host for 2 nights. if anyone has an engenda its Howard Deen. Gasp!

Glenn Greenwald can stop the panic now  Olberman is back tonight I think.

Regarding remarks that MSNBC being a coporation. What? Who knew? I was guessing that M S N B C must have been an acronym for something!

MSNBC could make more money pandering to the rabid right actually. They chose to take a different rout and seem to be successful.

A conservative believes nothing should be done for the first time

by C D on 08/03/2009 01:53:53 PM EST

A Story you will only see on-line (none / 0)
Another thought:  Here is a scandal that will be completely ignored in most media--MSNBC won't discuss it, Fox has already agreed not to discuss it.  Even Cenk, who ordinarilly would be all over something like this (becasue it shows TYT is the only place for real news)  will have to do a gut check because he still wants that job at MSNBC--and there is your test of "truth to power" will you embarrass the guy who might hire you? 

Keith Olbermann will do a special comment tonight, and is likely to speak on the issue--he is back from vacation.

by neuroshrink on 08/03/2009 02:34:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I watched Olbermann (none / 0)
last night after TYT.

After seeing all the buzz in the chat about his Big Comment...had to watch.

Now, I like watching him...even a lot at times...

But last night...something weird snapped in me.

Last night what I saw wasn't an emotional appeal to the centrists, the fence-sitters about corporations and health reform.

What I saw was Olbermann project all his anger, frustration and self-loathing into his comment -- and it was about HIS corporation and HIS whoredom.

And I heard him spew out all the bribes donations the repubs and dems have taken from healthcare industry...

and i heard him say Obama took 18 MILLION...now...maybe i'm deaf...maybe i'm old...maybe i'm wrong...but i don't think so.

For the sake of argument...let's say it was only 8 million...let's say i put the 'teen' in there...

8 MILLION ??!!

But Olbermann tells me...don't worry...Obama is an example of how you can accept donations and NOT be a whore.

wtf.

Did he 'slip' that in there? In a passive-aggressive attempt to say, "See? I'm not the only good-guy whore around...Obama's in like a dirty shirt, too".

Who wrote that? Did his boss approve of that? Did the boss demand that he include that?

Don't know.

But I didn't like it. There was a whole lot of other shit in that comment...and it was too murky for me to see.

I apologize in advance for my slam of Olbermann...I know there are TYT'ers here who absolutely love him.

I like him at times, too. But he is human.

Ghandi was a huge fucked up disappointment for me this week.

It is not possible for me to put a single person on a pedestal...not today.

Not even Cenk. Not even Dave. Not even Maddow.

If I don't do everything in my power to keep it real...who will do it for me?

Who will be my skeptic? and for no money? No bribes. No perqs.

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 03:12:58 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It's not that obvious (none / 0)
To many people who watch mass media it is not obvious to them that it is a corporate shill.  There are people like you and me who know it is, but more people out there need to find out the truth.  

There is no difference between the government agenda and the news media.  I'm sure they also meet in some room and discuss the best way to bring the government's agenda to the American people.  In turn, those media outlets are given access.  The people who go along with this are promoted while other people are fired.

At least in Iran they know their media is a government mouthpiece.  

by sampson on 08/03/2009 04:38:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Exactly (none / 0)
What's obvious to our sub-culture of informed political nerds (I say that with affection) is clearly not obvious to the uninformed/misinformed masses.

by Tom Hanc on 08/03/2009 05:01:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
The Future of American Journalism (none / 1)

New Live Poll Lets Pundits Pander To Viewers In Real Time

In The Know's new live internet poll feature revolutionizes how pundits shamelessly cater to what viewers want to hear.

From The Onion.

by EveningStarNM on 08/03/2009 01:56:36 PM EST

I love that one, Evening (none / 0)
I howled when I saw that video at The Onion site.

My alltime favorite Onion video doesn't appear to be available at YouTube, only at The Onion site. It's the one about Mexico building a border wall to keep out the "Assholes Americanos".

The really funny part is that none of the things they say about Americans who go down to Mexico to party are at all made up. It's all for real, and it happens every Spring Break. Even that survey on "Who is the President of Mexico" is based on real events, sad to say.

by RedPossum on 08/03/2009 03:08:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I have waited for almost 30 years (none / 0)
for Walter Cronkite to host or co-host or do a regular spot on...well...anywhere, really.

CNN? CBS? even MSNBC?

But nooooooooooooooo.

I waited and waited and waited.

I thought "soon" and "anyday now" he'll come out of retirement and do a little show.

But nooooooooooooooo.

Aaaand...he's gone.

But he left me with the impression that he was completely savvy and had a deep understanding of  what 'news' and 'journalism' is comprised of today.

And he was too polite, when asked, to come out of retirement, to say FUCK YOU AND THE LYING HORSE YOU RODE IN ON...you corporatist bunch of hacks.

by opiman000 on 08/03/2009 02:35:33 PM EST

someone fill me in (none / 0)
I understand the conflict of interest here, and obviously it should have been disclosed. I've seen elsewhwere that the conflict is so great that it can't be overcome with simple disclosure. However, my impression of Richard Wolffe is that he has a very progressive take on things. Has anyone cited specific examples of him specifically "shaving points", as it were, from his coverage?

by hazmat on 08/04/2009 03:28:07 PM EST

Most excellent question (none / 0)
I watched the guy the past week...and, not being familiar with him at all...pretty much came to him with an open mind and ready to listen.

Something turned me off. But I don't remember what it was specifically.

I watched a bit more of him and then stopped.
I didn't analyze why...just something off...didn't like him.

I will go back and re-watch his appearances...i am that interested in your question.

What was it that turned me off? Did I catch something that I didn't really catch?

Often the case with me.

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 03:33:27 PM EST

[ Parent ]
know what you mean (none / 0)
He's a frequent guest on Olberman's show, which I typically podcast. I've always thought he seemed like a strong progressive, but I know what you mean about someone sounding off and you're not quite sure what it is. Once upon a time I was entertained by Bill O'reilly's radio show, but thought there was something a little off about the guy. It was when the Valerie Plame scandal hit that my eyes were opened because I was well informed on the issue and he was leaving out some major facts--not even acknowledging them in his discussion. The more I started scrutinizing his positions the more I realized that he was full of it. Do tell me if you find anything.

by hazmat on 08/04/2009 03:58:13 PM EST

[ Parent ]
interesting indeed (none / 0)
please scroll up and see my olbermann slam...(not a slam really...lol...but harsh for me)

i am curious how you saw that whole special comment.

my nasty dirty little brain thinks, "Ah hah! He worked Billo into his new deal!"

No? Could happen.

While the technocrats hashed it out over the weekend...how they were going to resolve their commitment issues to their handlers and their ratings concerns as well...add in olbermann's part in it and any of HIS possible 'concerns'...

Well...in exchange for making sure that they got it out that Obama is likely the highest paid shill of all...

...in exchange for making sure they put out the message that 'everybody's doing it', not just the 'bad' guys...in exchange for making sure neither network suffers ratings drops due to too much 'crazy' coverage like the birther shit...

...for all this...Olbermann fought for and won...his right back to slam Billo whenever he wants...as long as...and get this...he keeps it as personal as possible.

No straying too close to the healthcare or the financial...or the cheney...or whatever it is...

Just the personal...nice and safe.

Olbermann's voice betrayed anger and frustration and disgust for himself, I believe, cause he has eaten of the tree of knowledge. And he knows sin.

(jk) and now he knows exactly how it goes. for reals. Soon...you'll see more lines, more grimness around the mouth...less patience...more thinning and graying of the hair...

He'll age like Obama...like they all do...once they 'know' how it really goes.

Or...........he's fine with it. And smugger than a pig in shit that he managed to get his billo war back.

I am hoping it is the former.

Anyway...too harsh? too weird? too much?

by opiman000 on 08/04/2009 03:29:30 PM EST

resolved ... Olbermann responds (none / 0)
I honor Mr. Greenwald's insight into the coverage of GE/NewsCorp talks, and his reporting on Richard's other jobs. I must confess I was caught flat-footed. I do not know what the truth is; my executive producer and I have spent the last two months dealing with other things (see above) but what appears to be the truth here is certainly not what Richard told us about his non-news job.

I am confident his commentary to this point has not been compromised - he has been an insightful analyst and a great friend to this show - but until we can clarify what else he is doing, he will not be appearing with us. I apologize for not being able to prevent this unhappy set of circumstances from developing.

A conservative believes nothing should be done for the first time

by C D on 08/04/2009 05:13:41 PM EST

Olbermann's program has always been lousy. (none / 0)
When was the last time you learned anything about health care by watching his program?  Even more dissappointing, when was the last time you learned anything about health care by watching Rachel Maddow?  Olbermann is a sportscaster and appears to be bitter over something that happened when he worked for FoxSportsNet.  I don't expect him to do a smart program.  It's like a less insightful, less funny Daily Show.  He clowns around for a while, calls some right-wing beauty queen names, then tosses to Maddow.  But again, that's where the dissappointment lies.  She continues the bull-crap by wasting most of her hour on cheating governors, the Family, or whatever happens to be the latest sex-scandal. 

I almost forgot about "the Big Red-Head!"  I've always disliked Ed Shultz radio show because it's dumb.  There's no way to get around it.  He's dumb, and now he does a dumb television program.  A couple of weeks ago, he was talking about taking a trip to Canada to find out how they run health care.  So, Newt Gingrich, Dick Armey and the other corporate representatives derailed progressive health care like 15 years ago, and this big-time "liberal"  host still doesn't understand health care AT ALL.  Again, he's a damn dummy.  

I've always found the Keith-O/Bill-O feud to be stupid.  Sure, it's funny sometimes.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't watch their shows.  I'm just saying that we shouldn't expect progressive points of view from a bunch of people that have been bought and paid for by a defense contractor. 

by DStroyer4 on 08/04/2009 05:50:13 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Different Purposes (none / 0)
I don't watch Maddow or Olbermann to learn about health care.  I watch them to learn about how the right is lying to us so that I can counteract their lies.  I watch them to get their perspectives on the political battles.  Besides, it's a relief to know that I'm not the only one who has absolutely no respect for Rush Limpbowel.

To learn about health care or the facts of any other issue, I look to my news sources, not to my sources for commentary.  For news, I go to NPR, NYT, and the BBC, and I have a very informative customized Google front page.

by EveningStarNM on 08/04/2009 06:19:57 PM EST

[ Parent ]
MAJOR MSNBC Scandal: Olbermann/Wolffe | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)
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