Anti-Fox 'Journolister' Could Block Fox From Helen Thomas' Seat (Updated)
Matt Lewis
Columnist
Posted:
07/21/10
This morning, I wrote about The Daily Caller's latest story regarding how liberal academics and journalists on the "journolist" list-serv suggested using government power to take down Fox News.
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,
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:
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."