MSNBC prez defends Convention team: Network "about to blow up"?

[DeepModem Mom]

Politico: MSNBC prez defends convention team
By MICHAEL CALDERONE | 8/27/08

DENVER — Amid a spate of awkward on-air conflicts among MNSBC anchors at this week’s Democratic convention, some staff members say there are sharp internal disputes at the cable network over whether its opinion and personality-driven political coverage has crossed the line.

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday. Two other MSNBC sources said some of the testy on-air exchanges between Keith Olbermann — whose quick-witted and often caustic commentary has fueled ratings growth — and other network personalities were a public glimpse of much more intense behind-the-scenes turmoil.

As replays of the conflicts became YouTube hits, MSNBC President Phil Griffin gave his first public defense in a Politico interview. “MSNBC does not have an ideology,” Griffin said. “We hire smart people who are passionate about their love of politics and love of news.”

“Do I want them to have squabbles?” Griffin asked. “No. But I understand they’re human.” In addition to Olbermann, MSNBC personalities Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough and David Shuster were involved in Denver controversies....

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=0647E705-18FE-70B2-A881F2A2BBFFD875

[valerief]

1. Naturally they're side-stepping the real offense, the media's manufactured

problems" in the Dem party and the ensuing endless blather over these manufactured problems.

The only actual good stuff was the snipping.

[C_U_L8R]

2. MSNBC has been heinous

and has betrayed the public trust with its heavily tainted commentary (in both directions)
It urgently needs to get back to HONEST reporting.

Their real problem (and the problem with their ilk) is that they seem to think their
commentary is more important than the news they are supposed to be covering.

First thing I suggest... shitcan that ratfucking republican flak Joe Scarborough. Ugh.
What an insulting hairball of racist hate he is.

[ErinBerin84]

3. why are they placing this all on Olbermann?

Actually, Politico hates Keith (and Tweety for the most part too), so it figures that they were try to call him out more when Joe has been worse. Politico constantly whines about MSNBC, despite their little bloggers appearing on that channel 24/7.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. This story has actually gone "wide" -- far beyond Politico.

In fact, it's hard to ignore when viewers (like my news-junkie self) are seeing these incidents live on air. I don't know exactly how to react to it -- I've never seen this kind of thing played out live on TV news. My guess is management doesn't mind if it continues because it's drawing attention that could result in higher ratings.

[ErinBerin84]

9. yeah, i know. I was just saying that

Politico constantly blogs about MSNBC though (usually about Keith and Tweety, separate from these last few incidents) , more so than really any other anchor and channel strangely , which is just funny since I feel like I see the politico people on that channel more than any others. heh, I kind of love reading about the MSNBC in fighting though. I think that the litle spats just weren't as bad as the awkward, 5 minute "I'm going to tell on you to the NBC boss !" Joe Scarborough incident.


Even though it's unprofessional, I like these unscripted moments. Drammma

[DeepModem Mom]

10. I confess: DeepModem Dad watches everything on PBS or C-Span...

while I usually indulge in the guilty pleasure of MSNBC (checking out CNN from time to time). Drama. I guess that's it.

[Warpy]

4. Scarborough was especially unprofessional

and I almost expected him to hit the floor, kicking his feet and pounding his fists.

The right wingers have had everything their way for years. Now they might just be starting to sense the change in the social and political winds that will put them out of their jobs unless they clean up their acts.

It's going to be interesting to watch. I imagine eventually they'll be under management orders to avoid each other whenever possible and not to communicate should they be in the same room some time. At least that's the solution I've seen in academia.

[Fridays Child]

5. Joe Scarborough (R, Petty Diva) is an huge embarrassment to his profession...

...and that's no small accomplishment. What a blowhard asshole.

[tekisui]

6. And should be fired. There is no place for him on the airwaves.

He has been getting worse, I feel his days are numbered.

[totodeinhere]

11. He recenlty signed a five year contract extension.

[Miss Authoritiva]

8. NUMA! NUMA!

Network Unity My Ass!