Couric faced 'corporate pressure'
By Steve Benen Thursday Sep 27, 2007 2:15pm
Katie Couric admitted this week that she felt “corporate pressure” when she was at NBC to ease off of Condi Rice and the Bush Administration after a “tough interview.”
After the interview, Couric said she received an email from an NBC exec "forwarded without explanation" from a viewer who wrote that she had been "unnecessarily confrontational."
"I think there was a lot of undercurrent of pressure not to rock the boat for a variety of reasons, where it was corporate reasons or other considerations," she said in an interview with former journalist and author Marvin Kalb during "The Kalb Report" forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Here’s my follow-up: an NBC exec takes a single email from a viewer that seriously? Should we start writing more emails to NBC to get them to lean on their on-air talent to be more confrontational with administration officials?
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NBC = GE = biggest war profiteer on the planet. And somehow this attitude from them is a shock? In other startling news, today I discovered that Baskin-Robbins is pro-ice cream.
So she ADMITTED she's a corporate whore. Now I won't feel so bad just THINKING she is.
Was the email from Karl Rove?
That single e-mail would have been from Karl ~
*
So what's her excuse for her current performance? Her mom called?
Here’s my follow-up: an NBC exec takes a single email from a viewer that seriously? Should we start writing more emails to NBC to get them to lean on their on-air talent to be more confrontational with administration officials?
Ahh, but you forget -- a single Bush-worshiping e-mail = overwhelming mood of the nation; ten million anti-Bush e-mails = bloggers are hippies.
"Should we start writing more emails to NBC to get them to lean on their
on-air talent to be more confrontational with administration officials?"
YES.
YES.
YES.
Good thing that she moved to CBS and became such a firebrand of journalist independence.
Courp-whore.
From Whally Whateley(#6):
"a single Bush-worshiping e-mail = overwhelming mood of the nation;
ten million anti-Bush e-mails = bloggers are hippies."
That sentiment sounds about right, but there's only one thing more important
to these people than their crazy right-wing loyalty - GREED.
If you make it clear that they will lose VIEWERS, and therefore lose MONEY,
they might actually listen to you. Heck, NBC actually put Michael Moore's "TV Nation"
on the air back in the 90's. The only reason they killed his show was pressure by advertisers
who should also be emailed and asked why they support a network that hates freedom!
ChrisM70, absolutely. Back before email, some corporations believe that for every 1 person who wrote a letter about something, 300 people had the same concern but didn't write. So every letter was treated as though it represented 300 people.
I don't know what the calculus is today, but it's clear that the organized complaint campaigns of the Dobson followers, etc., are being treated with way more seriousness than they should merit. Probably because the targets of the complaints aren't hearing from reasonable people in proportionate numbers.
She wasn't pressured, she's shown obvious pleasure for years in her job as a jackboot licker.
It sounds like the pressure came because it came from the Exec, not that it was a "viewer mail"
It was like the exec saying to her. "I agree with this."
How else is she supposed to take something like that?
Newsflash: That email was from the Bush administration.
ChrisM70 @ 7:
Absofreakinglutly ... I started about four months ago writing in to complain about their LACK of coverage of the Important issues, instead of 24 hours of Britney or Paris or whatever other air-head story.
Jeff,
if she had any integrity, the way she should have taken it was by
THROWING IT IN THE TRASH.
Shorter Katie: I'm pwned.
The difference between Katie and a prostitute? Only the prostitute gets f*cked when she sells out...
My apologies up front to fans of her, but she is basically useless as a journalist/interviewer.
She reads cue cards and looks nice and somewhere like the Today Show is where she belongs.
Of course, most of the people in the "news" industry belong on the Today Show, so I am not saying that she is worse than anyone else...
However, Edward Murrow she is not.
And, as someone else pointed out, I am sure that the email she received came from Rove or the Veep's office. That is why the "exec" took it so seriously.
ChrisM70 @ 10:
Good point, looking out for their and Murdocks interests.
Before Ms. Couric left NBC - Today, I sent an email complaining about her "reporting" that 25,000 Iraqi civilians may have died in the war up to that. In my email, I pointed out that even President Bush, himself, had said the day before that he surmised that at least 30,000 had died. I wondered why Couric, a so called news person, would have undercut even the President's numbers much less completely ignored the Lancet Report that had also just come out documenting at least 655,000 civilian casualties. I suggested, in my email, that I knew of no source for the 25,000 number or that it had ever been reported so low and where did she come up with it?
I never received a response, there was never a mention of it again on the Today show and I presume that my email was never delivered to her by NBC executives at least not in the way the email was oresented by the NBC executive according to her interview. Hard for me to imagine, based on her underreporting even the President's numbers for Iraqi civilian fatalities that she could have been accused of being "too hard" on our witless excuse for an organ grinder and his monkey that we have impersonating two very important public officials in the Oval Office.
It is hard to take Couric or Brian Williams or Matt Lauer or Charlie Smith or NBC or ABC or CBS any other corporate news media seriously these days. My advice to all is simply this: "don't!"
Of course she's useless as a journalist. She doesn't have a degree in journalism. She graduated from UVA in 1979 with a degree in American Studies.
ChrisM70 @ 7:
Except they only pay attention to the ones that support their corporate interests. That's just not us DFH.
Ok, I'll bite:
Which "tough interview?"
Kucinich 'seriously thinking' about forcing vote on Cheney impeachment
http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Kucinich_seriously_thinking_about_forcing...
Call Kucinich and support the measure!!
KUCINICH/FEINGOLD '08! The only sane choice! (Both voted AGAINST the latest funding. Feingold was THE LONE HOLDOUT in the Senate.)
Why is this even a question?
bushater @ 15:
I don't want to discourage you and by all means write to them, but I and thousands of others have been doing this for the past 5 years and you can see the results. Unless you are a stock holder, they really don't give a flying f*#k.
FastMovingCloud @ 25:
Cat Paw @ 18:
Yeah - she's pretty much a washed-up nothing. The gloss has worn off and people see what's really underneath now.
*
Tough questions
New Louis Vuitton shoes
Tough questions
New Louis Vuitton shoes
Aw fuck it, new shoes
if she doesn't start rocking the boat, she's gonna sink.
like to voice your displeasure? here's a start
viewerservices@msnbc.com; generalcomments@feedback.msnbc.com; phil.griffin@nbcuni.com
Frankly, I have a hard time believing anything Couric says. These people will do anything for ratings to protect the sinful salaries they make. But, if there is a scintilla of truth to what she says about being pressured by a corporate puke to follow a favored political line, why can't these corporate puke cowards just come out of the closet and be up front and say that this is their corporate puke favored political position? Fox News doesn't hide and sneak around with their "unfair and unbalanced" political persuasion and favoritism. Lest we forget that NBC is owned by GE and GE is one of the biggest defense contractors for the Pentagon. Thus, if one has half of a brain, it is not too difficult to see why corporate lapdogs such as Russert, Williams, Matthews, et al march to the beat of the corporate pukes. Couric will gladly do this too if she can figure out what side of the fence to be on to stop her ever sagging ratings.
The email was probably from Dick Cheney.
Should we start writing more emails to NBC to get them to lean on their on-air talent to be more confrontational with administration officials?
Well that doesn't work or they would have fired Tucker Carlson and Joe Scarborough years ago!
STeve, that "viewer comment" was probably just a plant from Karl Rove or some other exec who loves what America is becoming. That is how they cover their ass. Make shit up.
But we should still use our voice and get loud and proud about the issues we think or hold dear.
I never cease to be amazed at the level of self promotion and outright greed that these rich TV people have.
Couric is a multi multi millionairre. She does not need the show to make a living. She wants the attention I think.
I don't understand how these people, like Couric can call themselves Americans and sell out their country for their career goals.
My district is loaded with young people who have no principles. I guess with people like Couric representing "principles" in this country, it is little wonder that the younger people don't give a whit for anyone beyond their own click.
Couric is still a teenager emotionally. She has never grown because her entire life has been on camera.
Everyone knows her employer is one arm of the Military Industrial Complex and Couric's show is a vehicle for propaganda.
I do not feel sorry for little Katie. I think she should retire. She really STINKS.
Fuck, Katie Couric was too confrontational? Who will they replace her with - Tickle Me Elmo?
Well, to be fair to Katie the Cutie, she's being judged as a female newscaster here. In other words, she's expected to smile all the time (she does), say nothing of substance (ditto), and always remember that her bosses are men in gray suits who care not a whit about news integrity and a lot of whits about profits, pleasing stockholders, and not ticking off advertisers.
Just imagine if the thugs at Fox Network had to operate under the same conditions.
The NBC exec may have hidden behind the "viewer" email, but he forwarded it to Couric because he agreed with it.
I just watched "Orwell Rolls in his Grave" last night, which well documents how journalism is about dead in this country.
On the subject of execs pressuring journalists.
All of YOU, need to be aware of the David Schuster controversy at MSNBC following his interview with Rep. Blackburn. Dan Abrams (MSNBC acting GM) forced him to apologize and even wrote the majority of the apology for Schuster.
C&L LINK:(original story)
Shuster to Rep. Blackburn: “When was the last time a New York Times ad ever killed somebody?” UPDATED
Well now it seems he had nothing to really apologize for and was forced.
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/
Read the multiple entries on TV newser up above.
People need to support Schuster!!!!!!
hadenuf @ 39:
What isn’t dead in this country? The Fed jumps to Wall Streets commands, the SEC never investigates, and the FDA listens to the drug companies and turns a blind eye to imports. Congress listens to the lobbyist and Chimp is too stupid to understand anyone.
Rusty Shackleford @ 36:
It was considered but then they heard that shrub is afraid of him.
Robert Lockwood Mills @ 37:
The folks at Fox do operate under those conditions. The only difference is that they and their viewers are ok with it.
Shouldn't that headline read "Couric caved in face of corporate pressure"?
Gummy Mouth is a WHORE for money.
So what else is new?
Where is this "tough" interview with Condi? I could use a good laugh.
Bud @ 45:
She asked her age, a big no-no!
I watched only half of Marvin Kalb Report (it was on very late), I'm afraid she is just a tool.
It she was asked about using WH talking points through out her Iraq report I missed it.
I would have liked to have heard the response. Kalb was dancing around it but I don't think Couric got it!
EXCUSES EXCUSES
I think it is more correctly stated that Couric caved after viewing one dissenting email.
This is after all from the same woman whose journalistic instincts caused her to conclude "air traffic control must be having a problem" after the second plane hit on 9/11
1. It depends upon WHO that viewer was.
2. Could have been that the exec felt that the viewer's email was representative of others. Newspaper letters to the editor are done that way.
3. Could be that the viewer's email expressed the exec's point of view.
compare the fluff pieces couric did while in iraq with the stellar reporting from lara logan...katie couric is a newsreader...lara logan is a badass...SHE should be sitting in that anchor chair, although i'm sure it isn't her cup of tea as she strikes me as someone who likes to be where the action is
Gort @ 40:
But he grooms so well.
The fact that a huge defense contractor is allowed to even own
one The Networks, then use that network to "inform" the country. How much more absurd can it get? Conflict of interest doesnt even start to describe it.
Its diabolical 'inn-it?
katie, when it's all said and done, will you be able to look yourself in the mirror and say you did the very best that you could do. thus far, you're not unlike the rest of the top media whores on the networks. it's just that fox makes no pretense as to what they are or what they stand for. but the house of cards is slowly tumbling and all of the so called journalists who had a hand in perpetrating the evils of this administration will be outed and then ousted. are you katie, going to wait until the crumbling of the walls before you take a stance. it there's any truth to your being pressured by the suits at nbc after a "tough" interview, then that's all you need. they act with a heavy hand because they know they will have the backing of the administration. but journalism and media needs people who will act on their own conscience and do the right thing, not for what it will get them or because they know that unless they play along the heavy hands will come down on them , rather, they do the right thing because they know that's what all of their training and education has brought them to. Katie, you've reached the pinnacle of your profession, now do something with it. you will be admired for your courage, as it is, you're just seen as another tool in the bush bag.
Come on, e-mails only get forwarded when they represent the exec's POV. That way -- well, it's like General Petraeus. Or a ransom note. You're just sending the guy you picked to the Senate, who echoes your position, so you can say you're just being objective. You chop up newspapers to make a ransom note so they can't trace it to your typewriter.
Sending an angry lefty e-mail to a GE Industry exec is a waste of time. Do you think Jack Welch is just a lovable old businessman? He was the guy who insisted on NBC calling election night for Bush.
hanshiro @ 24:
\
kucinich needs to be supported on this. so what if it doesn't pass...this time. it gets the ball rolling and it may garner a few more votes the next time because the thought of impeachment won't be so far out there. we need to support dennis. let him know that we are behind him in this. the rest of the candidated other than gavel are basically sheep. they won't cross that line until they feel it's safe to do so. don't they know that only one of them is going to get the party's nod. if that be true and it is, then why don't they step out and hit the administration with everything they've got. quit the pussy footing around and do it. why is dennis the only one who speaks the language we want to hear. i've said it before, the media has basically written him off, but they really underestimate the ground swell of common folks who not only will vote for him but who will get up off their arses and make calls and ring door bells. i know that i will.
hanshiro @ 24:
Thanks for that link.
Obviously, the focus here is crooks and liars, but why not focus on heros and/or inspiration occasionally?
First Dan Rather now this? Et tu, Katie?
How, O how may we believe in anything ever agan?
Katie Couric is just another lying republican shill. I haven't watched her, I won't watch her, nothing she has to say is of interest to me.
I hope the days of corporate whoring by her and her ilk end soon. Only when US Americans have said, ENOUGH, will this happen. Only then.
Of course there was no objection from management when she relentlessly questioned the Edwards' a few months back.
That wasn't a tough interview at all. She basically asked Condi questions like "What's your favorite color?" This honestly looks like she's trying to deflect criticism that she's too soft.
That's right, 'cause it takes a real American to be a complete wuss.
.
I dunno. It sounds rediculous to me.
Speaking of corporate pressure, this is outrageous.
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/28/11920/
She's on track for a Connie Chung career nose-dive. Hey Katie... all of America is starving for a good hard-nosed journalist. You don't have to scream or ambush, just be prepared and don't let them spin. Stop whining and either do the job or fade away.
The only thing these corporatist understand is the almighty dollar. If enough of us abandon the tee vee news and turn to online sources and blogs for unfiltered truth the corporate media will either adapt, ie do their jobs for the American people, or fold. Either way would be fine by me.
It is ironic that Couric uses the expression "rock the boat" since it reminds one of the comment that Couric so enthusiastically used in the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, when she proclaimed "Navy Seals rock!", which was not exactly an ode to journalistic neutrality. Couric also said in her interview with Marvin Kalb that it is her job to be neutral. Couric would do well to recall the title of historian, writer, and social activist Howard Zinn's book "You Can't Be Neutral On a Moving Train". A documentary of that book will be presented this weekend on Link TV. Another program on Link TV this weekend is a program [the title of which at the moment escapes me] concerning the role of the media during wartime and features, among other things, clips from Norman Solomon's documentary and book "War Made Easy."
hanshiro @ 24:
You don't think, you do. I'll believe it when I see it. What next, is Leahy going to write another stern letter in protest? Impeach these bastards just as they did Clinton for a hell of a lot less.
I have written lots of e-mails protesting so-called telejournalists who have seemed oh-so-cozy with the administration and have gotten exactly nowhere with them except an automated return e-mail that says they have received it. No change in approach, no neutrality, no tough questions. For many reasons, all them apparently cynical, the networks and cable are treating these Emperor Palpatines with no clothes worshipfully and those who ask pertinent questions of those with power in this democracy as though they are traitors. The country as we know it is topsy turvy, and the reason is that formerly sane people who once asked tough questions are completely driven by fear since 9/11. I wish impeachment would take place, but I doubt it will because too many members of Congress are still too fearful.
I imagine if Murrow felt pressured my his corporate bosses to sell out the American people and his integrity to self serving political hacks he would have walked off the job in protest.....but then again, no one has accused Katie of being Murrow.
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It's not Couric's job to be an honest journalist...
When she accepts money to be a propagandist.
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So how does the NBC thing excuse her softballing at CBS?
Max-1 @ 72:
you read my mind...
hanshiro @ 24:
spot-on - Kucinich is the only bright light in this election.
I have one word to say. Integrity.
Thunderbird @ 21:
What a sad comment on the quality of UVA graduates. That worthless b*tch can barely read a script without stammering and stuttering.
Newsflash Ms. Kouric:
Your network considers you window dressing and nothing more. Rather was a troublemaker, you're the warm'n'fuzzy replacement. Get it?
So read the teleprompter like a good girl, smile a lot, wear a tighter bra, don't make a fuss when the Photoshop team airbrushes out your ass, and don't ask any questions which might get to the truth. Because getting to the truth is not your job at NBC News.
The network has investments to protect, and your facade as a news journalist is one of the things doing the protecting. Your strict adherence to the team is a non-negotiable.
I'm still seething about that letter CBS sent me- which basically called me a brainless asshole because I read blogs- after I complained about the softball treatment that Katie Couric gave Petraeus in Iraq, and I wish I could find out the name of the rude little fuck that sent it to me so I could personally hitchhike to wherever he is and knock his teeth down his throat so far that he'd have to eat his dinner through his rectum. But I still blame Katie, and to paraphrase Kathy Griffin, she can go suck it! Just like Colin Powell and the rest of the hindsighted apologists she waits until AFTER she could have made a difference to speak up. Fuck her, and I wish she would call me on the phone so I could tell her in my loudest, most venom-filled voice: "FUCK YOU, KATIE!".
So. Little Miss Sunshine is a shill? Surprise, surprise.
She felt pressure but lacked the personal or journalistic integrity to tell them to stuff it. That's why nobody respects her. That's why she has zero credibility. That's why she can't and won't shake the label "propagandizing corporate prositute".
IrresistibleB1tch @ 75:
True, dat!
If that's all it takes to get Couric to back off a war story when she's actually there, and turn in the pathetic work she did, then the aspiring anchorwoman/model ditz crowned Miss America actually has more credibility. Couric should have stuck to morning fluff because evidently evening fluff is too tough for her.
Ruthless People @ 67:
I sold my TV and canceled Cable. I am sick of paying $60.00/ month for low-quality programming and a MSM that is not honest. Don't miss TV a bit. More people should try it!
I spotted Couric as a "phoney" years ago and always turned the channel to avoid her. Outside of KO, who do you trust?
Couric's latest excuse on why she's just not very good at her job.
George Bush isn't to blame for the failure in Iraq. US Troops and Brass are not to blame for the genocide in Iraq. The US Corporate "News" Media are not to blame for the disaster in Iraq. The lazy apathetic stupified cowardly American people are to blame for the FUBAR situation in Iraq. regards
What would happen if they gave a network newscast and nobody came?
Good for you Katie Couric. You are beginning to redeem yourself from coming out and beginning to trust the power of TRUTH.
You are NOT ALONE. Everyone should speak-up and expose the culture of ABUSES of power in the closed doors of the CORPORATE EGG SHELL.
Without speaking-up and speaking OUT, we can not solve this problems. AND this kind of ABUSES MUST STOP. Legally, by virtue of your profession as A journalist, you are protected. As long as you are doing your job as a journalist who report ONLY the TRUTH, then you are PROTECTED legally and have the backing of decent law abiding people who expect nothing less than preserving TRUTH and preserving the right to be safelyguarded that NO harm will come to those who tell the TRUTH otherwise penalties would be imposed.
EVERYONE in the workforce or otherwise MUST br protected from BULLIES. Employers and people in high position are NO exception. Legislature must pass a bill to protect these RIGHTS if they have NOT done it yet. Legislatures are have a duty to make these laws. Everyone should presure the representative if the laws are not in place. This situation should be investigated. This situation that you are experiencing Katie Couric must be investigated in order to protect your ability to bring FACTS and TRUTH to the public. The Public depends on our MEDIA to make intelligent choices and decisions that matters to all of us and the well-being of our SOCIETY, OUR GOVERNMENT, OUR SCHOOLS, and all that matters to help and improve to a HEALTHY, harmonious, peaceful, dignified society.
I applaud you for finally getting the courage to stand with many people who are tired of being abused and mistreated in many levels of our society.
f the executives. They are so afraid of the right wing noise machine
She faced the pressure, and she folded like a holiday chair heading back into the closet after Thanksgiving dinner...
Profiles in Courage?
More like pandering and slinking off to me....
truthfinder @ 84:
I have basic cable, and I refuse to give up The Discovery Channel. I can live without corporate news, but asking me to give up Cash Cab or Dirty Jobs? Are you crazy?? :-)
Weird story. She has nothing to gain by coming clean on any of this-- it's obvious that the entire main stream media are a complete bunch of suckups after they tried to run Clinton out of town for nothing, but are STILL giving Bush a pass on his $12 billion/month disaster. All this is going to do is get her in trouble with the boss.
And who believes an email from a single disaffected viewer counts for anything with these guys. If she wanted to talk about how much blood money is flowing into CBS from war profiteers' ad dollars, or why they don't do stories about, for example, forced abortions by American contractors in Saipan, or how Wal-Mart is destroying small-town enterprise, that would be rocking the boat. This "being intimidated by an exec waving one email for not smiling at Condi" stuff is laughable.
On second thought, I can see why she mentioned it. To lower expectations to the point where insufficient perkiness is evidence of journalistic integrity.