Watching The MSM Self-Destruct

Pardon this "media today" type of post, which cannot help but seem self-serving.

First, a read at Steve Huff's The Dark Side regarding Fox News in relation to his coverage of the Groene murder/kidnappings.

Then this from my email today.

Dan,

My name is Susan O'Bryan, and I am the editor of The Clinton News, a weekly newspaper in Clinton, Miss., former home of Natalee Holloway.

I want to tell you how much I appreciate your tireless efforts to keep the world informed about Natalee's disappearance, her family and the search. As a member of the "mainstream" media, I know how news value is judged, depending on the day's events.

You, sir, have gone out of your way to keep us abreast of developments while providing insight without malicious attacks on anyone possibly involved in this tragedy. Keep up the good work!

Yours truly,
Susan O'Bryan,
managing editor
The Clinton News
Www.clintonnews.com

Then, assuming they re-run it. or put up a transcript, check out this from Fox TV.

I don't think I've heard a more condescending evaluation of, not just web logs, but people in general getting involved in collecting and reporting news. Of all things, its incredibly ironic that the show airs on the one network which has been more all Natalee all the time than even this web log and they completely leave out any mention of Internet involvement in reporting events on the Natalee Holloway disappearance.

The reality is the so-called main stream media is relying more and more on web loggers and other Internet-based resources to collect and report the news - and at the same time they continue to prop up old guard journalists more concerned about protecting their image and ratings than actually doing much real reporting.

It's laughable that a network which pays Geraldo Rivera to go on air with unconfirmed, likely ridiculous reports of teenage pornographic movies for sale - when he isn't falling over a tree limb, a network which seems increasingly to want an attorney, Greta Van Sustern to make her bones by shoving a microphone in the face of a fleeing security guard, can, in such a generalized manner question the integrity and honesty of average citizens of the world interested in becoming part of the news generation process.

Fox should wake up and realize that dead air might actually be preferable to giving voice to certain network-air talking heads who can't get their lofty and allegedly journalistic thoughts out of the clouds long enough to truly comprehend what is happening to news reporting at sea level in the world of today.

Comments

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Dan,

I tend to agree with your outrage!

I think there is another tragedy here --

--- What I've learned in 47 days of agonizing frustration, in almost 7 weeks of hope and despair and reading and discussing every theory, fact and suspicion is that .... I find people to love everywhere. No, I didn't say I love ALL people, not LAW BREAKERS AND CRIMINALS! I pray for their soul but even God hates liars! Mickey John expressed this fact, probably thinking of a passage he read in his Bible:

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars -- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8

Yet even God has loved their souls and given them a way of escape, a choice:

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." Revelation 2:11

Overcomers abound!. Beth is an overcomer, Tim Miller is one. Most of the contributors to this forum are! Human kindness, decency and the cry for justice abounds in every society and culture. Even criminals have their "Code of Honor"!!???? The safety and comfort of my "ole' familiar home," or ANYONE's home for that matter, even for "homies;" the familiarity of my language; the knowledge of our laws, lawyers and law enforcers; the security of our constitution; "the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," "endowed by my Creator," I love with the passion and comfort they endow. It helps me overcome such a tragedy.

All men ARE created equal in these rights, even the wayward and errant ones who violate them, either by accident or their own choice. I've been to Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague (Holland), Mexico, Hawaii and The Christmas Islands. I was born in Berkeley, CA. I lived in San Francisco, Nashville, TN, Longview, TX, San Juan, PR and now Sacramento, CA. I've been a follower and a leader. I've worked in analysis and repair, in research and design, in sales and service, in missions and ministry; a pastor and a teacher, a son and a father, a victor and a victim. And ALL the people I have met BELIEVE that they are created with these rights, even if those who have some authority to rule, be it granted, inherited, manipulated, forced or captured, even if those, their "governors," their "government," or the society by which that "government" is supported, do not promote or allow these "self evident" truths, All BELIEVE that they ARE created with these RIGHTS.

These foreign countries were certainly interesting, but when I made a mistake, when I made a wrong turn or went down the wrong street or needed simple help or some compassion from one whose job it was to "just enforce the laws," I had cause for alarm. I could not get what I expected or deserved: JUSTICE. That was very difficult to overcome!!! I'm still trying in some cases!!!

That's the tragedy here. THERE seems to be NO JUSTICE in this case, with or "with no body." It appears there will be NO JUSTICE for Natalee, and certainly there is none without her!

R - E - S - P - E - C - T

Can I just get a little RESPECT? ..... For a young woman's right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the pursuit of HAPPINESS for her family and friends on the HAPPY ISLAND????

[M from NJ]

Wouldn't it be nice if all of us,as one nation, under God, would simply obey the Ten Comandments?

I believe I have said enough.
Bravo Zulu to Dan, you Rock!!

[Cindi in PA]

WOW AkeoaHoAlethia,

You just said it all. It would be a privilege to know you in real time. :)

[Cindi in PA]

Wouldn't it be nice if all of us,as one nation, under God, would simply obey the Ten Comandments?

Posted by: M from NJ | July 17, 2005 02:18 PM

Yes M from NJ, but my pastor would miss me in the confessional lol.

[Concerned]

You said it right, Dan. Thank you. Kudos to AkekoaHoAlethia: well put!
Webblogging is the way of the future. We are experiencing its infancy stage.
While it takes time to weave through what's fact, opinion, speculation, etc. What's left is an educated understanding of the time, place, culture, and history and overall context of the event and its participants.

[Concerned]

Not to mention the immediate exchange of ideas among people with differing points of view. It's very cool :-)

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Cindi Thanks ..

And I give greater thanks to DAN for providing his stimulus and aparatus and "dime" for this forum so I could meet people like you in REAL TIME --- RIGHT HERE!

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Concerned - appreciated.

Dan has been a part of history himself here. Even fox saw something they tried to capitalize on when they first invited Dan on the set, on camera. It's too bad they missed the point and opportunity to let Dan say more of what he just referred to above!!

I guess they are, after all, a "for profit" institution. There is a bias in that. I once worked in non-profit radio broadcasting where we could say what the listeners wanted to hear rather than what the PRODUCERS want!!

THAT is what is behind a lot of the none-sense DAN is alluding to I think.

[NevadaMom]

WOW AkeoaHoAlethia

Great post 1 and you are right Dan is at the forefront of a chance in history. The news he provides is not sanitized and vague.

[wreck]

Hey Dan; I guess my post yesterday hinting you might be getting some info from Greta was way off base!!! (LOL)

[NevadaMom]

Sorry guys I meant that Dan and other bloggers are a change in history...

[THolloway]

" Wouldn't it be nice if all of us,as one nation, under God, would simply obey the Ten Comandments?"
Posted by: M from NJ | July 17, 2005 02:18 PM

But then what would we do wih all those leftover lawyers? After all, there's a reason they don't want God's word in most courthouses.

[me]

Dan HAS done a good job in trying to protect the integrity of this case. He has alluded to knowing more then he shares, but we believe that he remains secretive to protect Natalee and her family under the constraints of Dutch law.

AkekoaHoAlethithia: (What does this beautiful name mean by the way?) You have also spoken very well. Kudos, mon ami.

However, it seems that all of the nost well-intentioned individuals, (Dan included) and prayerful people on this blog (myself included), have lost the ability to believe that this horrible mystery will ever be solved with justice prevailing for Natalee and her family.

Perhaps, I am wrong about that, but I certainly feel that that is the tenor that I am sensing based upon obvious reduced interest across the board by the MSM and even us faithful bloggers, as a dearth of new and helpful info has failed to emerge.

Sooooooo... I guess sometimes it is necessary to go to extremes to bring the action on. When all of my 3 sons were young, talented and enthusiastic soccer players they were told by their coaches that THEY had to create the opportunities to score. Otherwise they had to simply hope for happenchance.

This is possibly something that we should consider as this investigation continues to grow stale.

With the synergistic power of brains and networking that the people who read this blog can present to the H/T family at large, I would suggest that anyone who has REAL substantive info about this case...including the couple that recently found bones the other day while snorkeling, (Question: were they human bones? where were they?, etc., etc.) or the polis chief that announced early on that one of the suspects confessed, (who was it? what exactly was said? why was it retracted? where were the polis taken that night, etc. etc.), or the Mountain Brook teens who probably misbehaved bigtime the night of Natalee's disappearance, What did those close friends know? Why hasn't one of these kids admitted to being a confidante of Natalee and helped authorites to get inside her head that fateful night? etc., etc. etc!

All of these people need to come straight with the American public in order for justice to prevail. The Arubans have their own agenda and the problem will certainly fade away if things continue as they have gone this far with the Aruban gov't in charge.

If ANYONE has strong info regarding this case they need to speak now or forever hold their piece since this case is dwindling to nothing by the nanosecond. Soon it will just be dust in the wind.

The Aruban judicial system has certainly been respected by the Twitty/Holloway family- yet the smoke and mirrors revolving around this case has gotten worse daily.

It's time to hire independent investigators, Holloway/ Twitty's, take the gloves off, and get to the bottom of this!

If the truth is unpleasant for the MB teens, the Aruban authorities, the MSM, and whoever else, tough.

Let's find Natalee, NOW. SHE deserves it.

[Concerned]

Nicely put, me :-) You expressed my sentiments to the "t".

[DennisAOK]

Dan,

When I click on the Fox News link you posted I get only their program schedule.

It is interesting to remember that Fox itself was a usurper. The old Big Three nerworks dominated the broadcast news scene with look alike programs and point of view since the advent of television. Fox came along in the 1980's with sharper edge programming and a different political perspective. In the best tradition of American free enterprise, they identified a new market and made a lot of money serving it.

This has been my first experience with a blog. I began going to your site because I was getting information faster than from the MSM, and sometimes new information not covered by them. If for no other reason, I will never forget Natalee for that. Dan, while I think you are high responsible, one problem with a blog, or the internet in general, is that in the hands of someone less responsible unsubstantiated rumors can pass as news and take on a life of their own. Of course, the MSM makes mistakes, too, e.g., Dan Rather, but I do beleive they hold themselves to a high code in that regard and they definitely feel heat if they do not live up to it.

[Concerned]

DennisAOK~
Me 2! I found Dan because the news websites were not updating frequently enough. I found ScaredMonkeys then Dan. I prefer Dan :-)

[THolloway]

Maybe here is something the MSM didn't consider:

Its too late now, but what if Natalee were alive and being "kept" at first, but MSM attention led her abductors to dispose of her in an untraceable way?

One other thing, there are now photos of rave houses, contacts of friends of the accused(s; even independent search teams and a heck of a lot of research ... all done by bloggers - not MSM.

Rupert Murdoch, Ted Turner and the other big shots could come up with a half million or so to hire the investigators who could solve this. They ought to.

The MSM derived a LOT of financial gain from having this story as content.

[kyle]

check out this from Fox TV <----not linking

[Paul Grable]

" Wouldn't it be nice if all of us,as one nation, under God, would simply obey the Ten Comandments?"
Posted by: M from NJ | July 17, 2005 02:18 PM

Simply obey? But we're human. I don't know any humans, even the most decent, who don't break those 10 commandments some times.

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Me
merci'

The name is from the language Koine' Greek, used in the New Testament:
"I have found the truth"

It is similar to the word on the California seal "eureka" "I found it" - referring to the gold rush.
However, it is the perfect tense which in this language specifically conveys a perpetual lasting existence:
"past completed action with present standing results"

Akekoa (v.) = I have once and for all time found
Ho (p.) = the
Alethia (n.) = truth

[Dan]

The link just tested fine for me ... not sure they'll put up a transcript. Allthere was to link was the page for the Sat. show

[sleuth]

Although I do spend time reading here and posting, I can't say that I have read any news busting breaking information that wasn't taken from either FOX, CNN, or CNBC.

What I am hearing, is that Dan is not a FOX fan. This is not the first time he has been critical of FOX. So be it. Doesn't bother me, but let's be honest.

That's nice that the editor of the paper from Natalee's old hometown has applauded what Dan does deserve credit for: keeping this story going. But that is going to be a tricky kind of business to keep pulling this off, unless there is more news coming out of Aruba.

You can continue to tease and tantalize us that you might have more knowledge of the case than you are sharing, then drop some hints and no follow up. I find that exasperating, and the folks here mostly played along last night, but there was plenty of frustration expressed.

Now, what we could do, is if everyone emailed FOX about this site, and FOX would be forced into at least looking at what is going on here, and perhaps some kind of consideration of merit would be forthcoming, perhaps not.

Just my opinion, and I am a little grumpy today from too much blog reading, cause after so many hours, the scrolling gives me a headache and makes me dizzy-er. :}

[Cindi in PA]

Sleuth,

And your contribution to this case is what?

[Cindi in PA]

Breaking news.............from my home town anyway....

My daughters friend Monica who is 17 was in a bad accident a few hours ago. It does not look good.
If any of you are persons of prayer, please keep this young women and her family close by.

[bamaguy11]

Cindi,

I was just browsing for news and noticed your post.

My thoughts & prayers are with her family & friends. God Bless

[Dan]

Grumpy Sleuth - if you go back and look - which I don't expect anyone to do - you will find many incidents of information appearing above on my web log before being on the news.

Heck, I had the infra red heli's over fox by almost a day, the interview with Joran's friend - which every MSM outlet called me to try and get to her.

They all have called for something at one point or another - ABC, MSNBC, FOX, CNN, large print media - and I exchange email and phone calls daily. I don't talk to the heads you see on TV, I talk to the people on the street, many of whom have read here to help them in their efforts, not in giving them a story, but in thinking about the reporting, wherte to go, what to look into, talk to, etc.

What pleases me most is being a part of things behind the scenes. But your criticism is beyond cranky ... sorry, it's just fundamentally wrong.

I can't publish most emails and never would - "is this confirmed" what are your sources telling you? that's a dead end - which ABC has told me about more then one Fox report before it even aired, so I ignored it.

If you notice - I don't even go near a lot of bogus stuff, or empty headlines generated by Fox or anyone else to drum up ratings because another news outlet has already told me it's no big news.

Hell, when the "boys charged with murder" story started breaking two weeks ago, MSNBC called and I told THEM no story, don't go with it, it's impossible under Dutch law, because no one is charged until there's a trial and it must be done in public.

I'll stack this coverage here up against anyone's when you consider the resources behind the effort. With all due respect, if you want superman - go read comic books. ALl I can do or ever claimed to be doing here is a little news.

[sleuth]

Now Cindi! See what you are doing? I expressed an honest opinion, and you didn't like it, and now you want to engage me in some kind of combat, cause you didn't like what I said. Please, I have so admired many of your posts here, and just because I wondered what Dan has against FOX does not give you enough cause to jump me, dear.

I will not take the bait. I have contributed nothing here, probably just like you. On the other hand, I save my more nasty side for trolls. Not for people whose opinions may be different than mine.

[Synonymous with Anonymous]

How can any of us be so certain of facts, guilt, or innocence?

[sleuth]

Dan, my humble apologies. I am tickled pink to have any kind of attention paid to what I have posted, and I am willing to admit that I do not read here enough to know who knew what first.

Now that I have admitted my error, am I forgiven?

[Dan]

No need, Sleuth - you've done some fine posting on this topic and I really didn't take it as personally as it may have come off. As much as can be, when I enter into comments section, I'm just another voice. My frustration is more with some in media than with you.

For the record, I have been one of Fox's biggest supporters and still am ... but this case has caused me to look at more of their evening reporting than I ever did before. While I always acknowledge them for at least staying with the story when others have left it behind, I think they could have done some things much better. But then, that can always be said for anyone in any endeavor.

You and I are cool - never weren't, my friend.

[Concerned]

You have my prayers for the young friend, Cindi in PA .

[Concerned]

I miss FlyingDee. He had my brain in gear.

[bey]

I been trying to follow this story but Fox is the only news that gives new information and no other stations back what Fox say up. So I'm left with the decision do I believe Fox or not.
I've read alot of Fox'es updates and nothing so far has been confirmed or repeated by other news sources.
When all this is said and done and truth is out I will then decide if Fox was a good news source. If most what they reported was lies then I'll never trust their news again, after this.
Dan, I don't know who or what you are but you post mostly the hearsay that Fox reports. Sooooo I'm left with only trusting your sources if after this is all out they are found to be true.

[bey]

I know better then to believe what I read. I never trust any news report unless it is written in stone and proof and evidence is all laid out on the table. Sorry Dan, I enjoy reading your website but at the same time I don't trust anybody lol or everything that I read :P

[musicgirlms]

Dan,

Didn't you write a post praising Fox News the day or night before you went on their show? Just curious why such a dramatic change in tone....

Thanks.

musicgirlms

[RstJ]

Christ, instead of actual case info, we get a pissing contest with FuxNews.

Snore.

RstJ

[sleuth]

Thanks, Dan.

I was quite serious about emailing FOX and telling them to give your blog credit where credit is due.

I confess to being a FOX fan, but I have never been madder in my life than at O'Reilly and Hannity, for some of the idiotic things that come out of their mouths.

And that reminds me! Judge Napolitano was just plain wrong about Joran walking on last Thursday. Wonder if anyone thought to mention that on FOX?

[Dan]

musicgirl - Actually, if you read the NH archives, you'll see that nothing has changed as regards my impressions of Fox's handling of the matter. Here's one example below from when I returned from Fox. Also keep in mind the show linked above is about media criticism and as recently as yesterday I have consistently praised Brit Hume and his news cast.

As I said in my post, I didn't really watch much Geraldo, Greta et al before this - so my thinking it could be better isn't a change in tone. It's simply how I feel after having seen it.

"I'd have preferred to talk about something other than the Van der Sloot's website - but then, it wasn't my show. Putting on good TV must have incredible challenges I can't even begin to imagine. But it's good to be back in a forum where things can be addressed with more detail."

[MrsJimiHendrix]

DAN

you are doing a great job. to hell with what others think.

AKEHO

howdy neighbor.

i am across the bay from bazerkely and sf : ) and 1 1/2 hour away from Sacto!!

[MrsJimiHendrix]

DAN

YOU WERE A TROLL LAST NIGHT

HEHEHE!!

[MrsJimiHendrix]

For the record, I have been one of Fox's biggest supporters and still am ... but this case has caused me to look at more of their evening reporting than I ever did before. While I always acknowledge them for at least staying with the story when others have left it behind, I think they could have done some things much better. But then, that can always be said for anyone in any endeavor.

You and I are cool - never weren't, my friend.

Posted by: Dan | July 17, 2005 05:15 PM

SO DOES THIS MEAN MY PLANS ARE SHOT DAN?????

[Dan]

Well, maybe you can do the TV movie, EB. Much more fitting with all the drama going on.

[MrsJimiHendrix]

Dan

LOL!!

Sell the rights to Fox so I can meet everyone there and bcome important though!!

I must come first!! : 0

[harry]

For the heart
that doubts not,
the white flowers of the plum.

Utagawanu
kokro ni shiroshi
ume no hana

-- Mokuin

[Cindi in PA]

To those sending their thoughts and prayers for Monica, I talked to her step dad about an hour ago. She is going to be ok, her liver and lungs are damaged, but nothing she can't beat, just a long recovery. Thank you all for your response.

Sleuth, it was a question not an insult, I have not watched any news programs for several years. How tall are you by the way? ;0

[Cindi in PA]

SO DOES THIS MEAN MY PLANS ARE SHOT DAN?????

Posted by: MrsJimiHendrix | July 17, 2005 06:17 PM

MrsJimi,

IT only means you have to try harder ;)~

[sleuth]

Cindi, may I add my prayers? I have two teenaged daughters myself, and know the feeling.

I used to be 5' 10" but I have lost an inch in recent years.

Dan accepted my apology. I am also sorry if I stepped on your toes.

[musicgirlms]

Actually, Dan, this is the portion of the prior entry I was referring to when asking about your prior, more favorable posting on Fox News. I am not trying to be judgmental, by the way; just was curious about what I perceived as a very strong shift in tone.

---------

In prior blog entry from Dan:

What I did not mention earlier here is that when I do watch news on TV, there's only one channel I turn to - and that's Fox. Having followed Brit Hume's career over several years, when he joined Fox, I knew they were for real. I've also come to develop a lot of respect for Chris Wallace, though he irked me today on the radio at WABC because he was on the whole "All Natalee all the time" thing.

Frankly, I find that an elitist position from news makers more aligned with an old mainstay anchor model, as opposed to a vibrant medium that meets people where they live.

When people bash Fox it always amazes me. There are shows and journalists on Fox that it's fair for people to question; but, by and large they are more of an entertainment variety, than news programming, in my opinion. When it comes to a basic news report, particularly on issues of national political scope, there isn't a network going which can hold a candle to Fox's reasonable and careful coverage of relevant events.

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Prayers in re Cindi's friend...~~~

Condolences for sleuth...

JimiHndrx??? I saw him at the Philmore

You are "across the bay from bazerkely and sf" ?

That would put you in Alcatraz or on Treasure Island? Since the two you mentioned are across from each other??

[Dan]

That was what, yesterday? I stand by it 100%. Read the last paragraph - it's precisely what I was getting at - entertainment passed off as news in their evening coverage. Which, shouldn't detract from their hard news. I like Hume, Barnes, some others ... I think I'm being consistent with that position. It isn't all or nothing with any of the networks IMO. Maybe that wasn't clear enough in initial post.