TV News LIES

Thursday, Dec 26th

Last update09:02:29 AM GMT

You are here News Military Chris Hedges: The Day That TV News Died

Chris Hedges: The Day That TV News Died

E-mail Print PDF

Phil DonahueI am not sure exactly when the death of television news took place. The descent was gradual—a slide into the tawdry, the trivial and the inane, into the charade on cable news channels such as Fox and MSNBC in which hosts hold up corporate political puppets to laud or ridicule, and treat celebrity foibles as legitimate news.

But if I had to pick a date when commercial television decided amassing corporate money and providing entertainment were its central mission, when it consciously chose to become a carnival act, it would probably be Feb. 25, 2003, when MSNBC took Phil Donahue off the air because of his opposition to the calls for war in Iraq.

Donahue and Bill Moyers, the last honest men on national television, were the only two major TV news personalities who presented the viewpoints of those of us who challenged the rush to war in Iraq. General Electric and Microsoft—MSNBC’s founders and defense contractors that went on to make tremendous profits from the war—were not about to tolerate a dissenting voice.

Donahue was fired, and at PBS Moyers was subjected to tremendous pressure. An internal MSNBC memo leaked to the press stated that Donahue was hurting the image of the network. He would be a “difficult public face for NBC in a time of war,” the memo read. Donahue never returned to the airwaves.

TVNL Comment:  There is no 'news' on television..... only infotainment and propaganda.  This will continue so long as corporations control broadcasting.  That means, forever.

More...


Most Recent Related Stories...


US fighter shot down in 'apparent case of friendly fire' over Red Sea

Fighter pilot shot downThe U.S. military said it mistakenly shot down one of its own fighter aircraft over the...

Survivor of Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor dies in California aged 100

Survivor of Pearl Harbor Attack dies at 100 Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died shortly after deteriorating...

Tom Cruise Receives U.S. Navy's Top Civilian Honor

Tom Cruise gets Navy MedalThe world’s most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero. Tom Cruise was awarded...

US army officer found guilty of sexual harassment in historic military case

lLt. Col. Hermn West A former US army battalion commander was found guilty on Friday of sexual harassment of a...
 
America's # 1 Enemy
Tee Shirt
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
TVNL Tee Shirt
 
TVNL TOTE BAG
Conserve our Planet
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
Get your 9/11 & Media
Deception Dollars
& Help Support TvNewsLIES.org!
 
The Loaded Deck
The First & the Best!
The Media & Bush Admin Exposed!