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Anti-Fox 'Journolister' Could Block Fox From Helen Thomas' Seat (Updated)
It turns out that one of the journalists who was critical of Fox, Michael Scherer of Time magazine, may actually be in a position to hurt Fox News when it comes time to determine which outlet will inherit Helen Thomas' prized front-row seat for White House briefings.
According to The Daily Caller, writing on the 'Journolist', Scherer agreed with Guardian columnist Daniel Davies who said "peer pressure" and "self-regulation" weren't enough to control Fox News, so what was needed was a "tough legal framework."
Scherer then went on to add that,
Roger "Ailes understands that his job is to build a tribal identity, not a news organization. You can't hurt Fox by saying it gets it wrong, if Ailes just uses the criticism to deepen the tribal identity."
Why does this matter? As you may recall, there is a battle taking place to determine which media outlet will get the Thomas seat for White House briefings. Many believe that Fox News should get the seat.
As FishbowlDC recently reported, the White House Correspondents' Association's "board plans to make final decisions by August 2nd."
One wonders if Scherer, who holds the "magazine" seat on the board, will recuse himself from the vote, based on the notion that his past comments imply he cannot fairly help decide this matter.
A seat on the board is powerful. According the the White House Correspondents' Association's website, "A nine-member board of directors, elected by correspondents, addresses access to the chief executive; coverage arrangements; work space arrangements; logistics and costs for press travel to accompany a president on the road."
The stakes are high, and in a close election, one vote might matter.
Note: Scherer did not return repeated e-mails or phone calls seeking comment.
UPDATE: A Time magazine spokesperson has issued the following response:
"Michael Scherer fully disputes The Daily Caller's account, which selectively quotes his emails and takes his comments about the changing news landscape entirely out of context. In his emails he vocally opposes any suggestions to restrict Fox News."
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Never heard of the "JourNolister" prior to the Sherrod dust-up, but they sound like they all missed their meds.
July 25 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFox News is #1 and they should have the seat. Gone is the day when ALL reporters used to ask the tough questions and hold politicians accountable. Fox still does that. Americans deserve the truth and probing questions - you get that on Fox news - and then can make up your own mind. Most of the other news organizations aren't reporting both sides - they just want to spoon feed you what fits their agenda.
July 23 2010 at 12:14 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyFOX NEWS is not a legitimate news outlet. It is much too extreme in its' right wing views and there is too much disinformation being peddled.
July 23 2010 at 10:41 AM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down ReplyIf there's any reason to re-look at the first amendment...it's FOX!!
July 22 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down ReplyOh, but it would all be Obama's fault....right??
July 22 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down ReplyOk so here is the facts, 1. Fox News is the No.1 watched news channel in the USA 2. Fox News tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. 3. The majority of news watching Americans watch Fox News. So why not put "America's News Channel" in the vacated seat. Americans clearly want Fox News to ask Bobby Gibbs the questions that Americans want answered. Fair and Balanced. Not allowing Gibby to blow smoke up the American peoples butts. To put it lightly. =-)
July 22 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo all you Fox News People think there should be ( FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?? )>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Owner calls it a parody of White House bid
05/22/99
By Wayne Slater / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN - Saying "there ought to be limits to freedom," Gov. George W. Bush has filed a legal complaint against the owners of a Web site that lampoons his White House bid.
The designer of the unofficial Bush site described it on Friday as a parody and said the governor is trying to limit what is written about him on the Internet.
Fox tv regular news that channels carry for their local tv are good reporting... much like nbc,abc,cbs, But fox cable news??? lol............They tell the news in such fashion that its taking out of context to be made to look other then what it was!!!!!!
July 22 2010 at 1:12 PM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down ReplyThere is no way that Fox will get that seat and everyone knows it. Fox is by far the best network and deserves it , But because they are the only network that ask the tough questions and do the leg work that the main stream media once did . Because they are in the tank for the Obama Admin and will do anything to help this admin even avoid asking the tough questions and making sure that any negative story will be suppressed or just ignored . The press has failed to do it's job and the people do no trust nor believe them on many of there reports .
July 21 2010 at 6:30 PM Report abuse Permalink +10 rate up rate down ReplySomeone needs to play hardball with this administration and Fox will do just that.
July 21 2010 at 4:53 PM Report abuse Permalink +17 rate up rate down Reply
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