NYT Ed - Oprah, Arnold and Equal Time

[realFedUp]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/opinion/17WED3.html

Oprah, Arnold and Equal Time
prah Winfrey did Arnold Schwarzenegger a big favor this week when she had him on her show. Now she needs to do the voters a favor, and extend an invitation to the other top candidates in the California governor's race. The federal equal-time rule has little force these days, but the principle behind it remains sound: broadcast television should not use its tremendous influence for partisan purposes in an election.

For anyone selling a book or a movie — or a political candidacy — "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is a coveted outlet. It is viewed by a large number of women, many of whom have great respect for Ms. Winfrey's opinions, so it is a great venue for Mr. Schwarzenegger. The polls show him running far worse among women than men, and he has been embroiled in controversy recently over some sexist comments made to magazine reporters.

-snip-

During the 2000 presidential election, Ms. Winfrey invited both Al Gore and George Bush to appear on her show for equal amounts of time. That was the right way to proceed then, and now. Ms. Winfrey, and Mr. Leno, would demonstrate their respect for fair elections, and for the voters, if they adopted their own private fairness rules, and gave Mr. Schwarzenegger's less glamorous leading opponents the same forum they gave him.

[Cha]

1. Yeah! You'd think she wouldn't have to be told.

What's up, oprah?

[realFedUp]

2. Is that workin' for you Oprah?

She needs a session with DrPhil.

[Mixxster]

3. I've been a fan of Oprah's for years...

...and I was disappointed that she had Arnold and Maria on. Up until 2000, Oprah purposely never had campaigning politicians on her show. As the article stated, when she changed her policy that year she hosted both Bush and Gore.

I realize that Oprah's been friends with Maria for over half of their lives; she even admitting using "the friend card" to get them to appear together. I know that having both Arnold and Maria on her show was a huge "get" but it was still wrong.

[indepat]

4. Unless fairness prevails, this lad will hereinafter watch no Oprah

programs.

[Lindacooks]

5. Me either

That ridiculous Arnold propaganda show was the end. I have truly admired Oprah, especially her generosity to charities, but having those two on her show, without highlighting any other candidates, was just too much.

[realFedUp]

6. Arnie was on Howard Stern and Larry King last night

Are these appearances different?