Is Greta Van Sustern Selling Out?

Fox host Greta Van Sustern appeared in an update on Bill O'Reilly tonight and referenced two witnesses who claim the land fill witness is credible. However, she did clearly hedge her bet by saying she hadn't spoken to the witness herself.

She then went on to reference quotes from Natalee's Father, Dave Holloway as regards conditions at the land fill where the search is being conducted - which were reported as extreme, much like any land fill.

In a post here, I pointed out that according to an NBC report, Dave Holloway has spoken to the witness in question and found his account questionable.

The Alabama teen's father said he spoke with the witness and isn't sure the story is believable

Given Fox's ability to research, and Greta's ability to ask Dave Holloway a simple question in this regard, one might wonder if she is reporting things as they are, or as internal Fox ratings watchers want them to appear.

Comments

[letsbefair]

Fox is feeding the beast. No doubt about it.

[bey]

No Gretta's not selling out. Gretta is damn good with legal matters. She knows her stuff. She is realistic with the law and the system. Just like her saying "behaivor specialist listing body language isn't going to cut it for a conviction". She tells it like it is. She probably does believe Dave because she never questioned the witnesses herself to get a better reading of them. She might just be facing reality that this story is getting old and these leads (such as landfill) are a waist of time and money and the audience is getting sick of it. She is probably wondering how much more she can do to keep this in the media when every stone turned is empty.

[LetsHelp]

I think this is an unfair characterization.

Dave says he doesn't know if the witness is believable, apparently there are others who think he IS credible.

To tell the truth I thought your headline was misleading, since Dave didn't say he did NOT believe the witness, he just wasn't sure.

Kind of the pot calling the kettle black if you ask me, Dan.

[bey]

What gives me answers is, ask yourself this...Why would Paul V D Sloot say two days after Natalie missing that "if there's no body there's no case". In two days of her dissapperance how did he no their would not be a body? That alone is proof that he knows something. The Holloways need that on tape...they need those statements that was givin the night they went to v d Sloots home and Paul said that.

[patrick]

Dan, I have to STRONGLY DISAGREE with the direction you have taken regarding the landfill witness, Greta's reporting and the likelihood of Natalee being in the landfill. Your report is not what I took from the interview at all. Dave Holloway basically stated that he wasn't sure if the witness was believable or not. The title here suggests Holloway does nob believe the landfill witness. Personally, I think she is in the landfill. The landfill witness came forward 4 (FOUR) DAYS into the investigation. The police either did not conduct a search (according to Greta Van Susteran tonight on Fox on Bill O'Reilly's show) or did a cursory search for part of a day. Either way, the landfill was not searched to any extent EVER by the police. Coupled with the fact that until a few days ago, EquSearch had done only a cursory search as well. This witness provided specific details early on in the investigation and it was ignored by the police. He is insistent in his description of what he saw, and the child's inflatable pool that he described HAS BEEN FOUND. Problem is the landfill is the size of 2 (TWO) football fields. Even after several days of Equsearch being out there, according to them it is too large and too deep to fully search without more specific inforation on the location. the reason is that the inflatable child's pool was most likely bounced and moved by the dozer's that push the waste regularly every day. I BET THE FARM her remains are there.

In addition, tonight on Hannity and Colmes Equsearch says that even the pond hasn’t been properly and totally searched. The water has continued to seep back in and they have not been able to conduct any ground penetration. Listen, I think the evidence is right there in front of them and they have to get at it. NOW!

Patrick

[clintcarter]

Dan you're getting close to wondering online if Fox News is being run like the National Enquirer, willing to twist the slighest thing into whatever form will rile people up and tune 'em in.
Traditional investigative journalism can be done in a fraction of the time it took in the B&W movies. The only excuse for not broadcasting (at least)the most logical conclusions would be if you followed a different agenda. Feeding a frenzy perhaps while deliberately influencing society with a distortion?
Maybe I'm just cranky.

[birmingham dog]

Where are the REAL/Experienced Journalists at Fox ?

They don't have any, I used to like Fox and think they were different, but this case has proved that Fox is just like the other MSMedia. They are all whores for ratings. SOme of you on here say "shame on you", "how dare you" to other posters. I think instead of the other pposters you all should be saying this to the Media.

Facts get in the way of ratings.

D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G

GWD

[bey]

I can understand Dave being leary of believing this witness. I didn't believe it when I first heard it and I'm not even there.

[kescah]

I saw Dave asked about the credibility of the witness. I did not get the impression that he is turned off about the credibility, just that he does not know either way. As he said, the witness was wearing a mask and scarf and goggles at the time as he was at the dump with the rest of them. Therefore, Dave could not get a good take on it and decide whether he was credible or not.

I'm sure that Dave will not leave a "stone" unturned to find out if Natalee is in there- he will rest much better if he becomes convinced that she is not. I would certainly want to rule that out.

Dan, your link on the lighthouse abductions was very good reading. Even though I always thought of an abduction as a possibility, I do even more so now.

[NewReader]

I was always ridiculed at work if I ever mentioned that I saw something on Fox News, as everyone there seemed to know their reporting style was akin to the Nat'l Enquirer, but me! I have no way of knowing if that was true, but 20-some people seemed to think so.

[clintcarter]

For Dave Holloway to state Publicly that he is not sure about the witness would mean that Man is pretty darn sure of it.
I believe the witness came forward earlier with detailed info, sufficiently detailed to lead the Police to look in a specific area. No body found; then what's he talking about?
They would havee had 100's of tips.

[bey]

I was always ridiculed at work if I ever mentioned that I saw something on Fox News, as everyone there seemed to know their reporting style was akin to the Nat'l Enquirer, but me! I have no way of knowing if that was true, but 20-some people seemed to think so.

Posted by: NewReader | August 2, 2005 09:20 PM

------------------------------
lol newreader. I know what ya mean. I never watched fox till this case. I got pissed off within the first few weeks of watching them and posted it here. I like to watch fox tho because I like Gretta and Bill O'reilly.

[clintcarter]

NewReader where do you work?

[Coolbeans]

This is FOX's second go round. Remember Chandra Levy. Sean Hannity proclaimed Gary Condits guilt almost everynight.

For months no news meant "Chandra Levy" news. It was what got me off fox. I had it with the blow holes they call journalists.

Now it seems if there is no new, it is Holloway news, and a lot is rumours and speculation. That should not be reported as news, it should appear as blogs like this.

Coolbeans

[chance]

I read or heard somewhere that a hotel key card and towels were found at the dump and that was the reason for believing this guys story. I guess this was just another rumor? I'm pretty sure I both heard it on the news and read it online somewhere.

[birmingham dog]

************** Fox News Alert ***********

Go ahead and Group us (fox) in with the other MSMedia.

GWD

[bey]

saw Dave asked about the credibility of the witness. I did not get the impression that he is turned off about the credibility, just that he does not know either way. As he said, the witness was wearing a mask and scarf and goggles at the time as he was at the dump with the rest of them. Therefore, Dave could not get a good take on it and decide whether he was credible or not.

I'm sure that Dave will not leave a "stone" unturned to find out if Natalee is in there- he will rest much better if he becomes convinced that she is not. I would certainly want to rule that out.

Dan, your link on the lighthouse abductions was very good reading. Even though I always thought of an abduction as a possibility, I do even more so now.

Posted by: kescah | August 2, 2005 09:19 PM

---------------
I agree with everything said in this post including the abduction statement at the end. I think that is why Joran has nothing more to say except trying to get people to believe one of his stories that he was with Natalie then left and then something bad happen to her. I think Joran and Kalpoes were paid to take her to be abducted, then once she was gone they knew no more to tell. Paul knew they'd never see Natalie again.

[Robert]

No Gretta's not selling out. Gretta is damn good with legal matters. She knows her stuff. She is realistic with the law and the system. Just like her saying "behaivor specialist listing body language isn't going to cut it for a conviction". She tells it like it is

She does not know beef from peanuts about Dutch Law. Would that she would shut her mouth. Why has Fox not had a law professor from the University of Hilversum or the University of Amsterdam on to explain the Dutch system and spare us from all this damn idnorance.

[Coolbeans]

Probably a lot of towels and key cars with that kind of tourism (hotels and timeshares). They only have one dump on the island and everything goes in it.

On a side note, on Long Island we seperate everything. Plastic and glass, paper and wood, cans and carinigians(?) and compost. We have like four cans. and 3 garbage days. too funny. Then of course we have a bunch of business people who just dump it in the water, you know for a good summer treat! lol

Coolbeans

[DevilsAdvocate]

Confrontation on the street and candid police interview coming up on Greta per Fox commercial.

[Robert]

.Why would Paul V D Sloot say two days after Natalie missing that "if there's no body there's no case".

Is this documented or is this hear-say like 95% of the rest of our "information?"

[bey]

Robert your right but fox does have legal pnes on from Aruba that try to explain their laws to us. Only thing is it's frustrating listening to how their laws work. Seems like the media and the readers and viewers get shut out by a brick wall from the Dutch law...it's that wall that is bugging all of us. Not knowing what they have for forensic evidence...the not knowing and waiting is what is so hard. Especially if they have nothing at all then what? We are all trying to help any way we can since we don't know if Aruba officials and law has been any good or help.

[Shush]

Lots of comments, from dissatisfied customers,
or maybe some posters with personal agendas?

Just what has Fox done so wrong?
Or Greta for the matter;
Nothing, other then follow a case that has interest & has intrigued millions of Americans, who have taken this case, very personal.
I know I just wrote Greta, & asked her to please stay on this case till the bitter end.
I have daughter that age, who coincidentally was going to Aruba 7/15-25/05, with cousins in their 20's, a few weeks after this happened. You bet I took it personal.
Millions of concerned Mom's & dad's out here, & millions of Caribbean travelers.

Should Greta not worry about her ratings, & what her viewers want to hear about?

Should she take after her Old employers & peddle an ideology, agendas,
& lose ratings by ramming coolaid down peoples throats?
That's why she left CNN.

I read a lot of complaints here, but no substance as to what& how should be covered,
on Greta or Fox, according to same.. What is she/they doing wrong?

[Coolbeans]

I think it is hear say and I dont think Joran confessed.

If he said 'Pak killed her, no way is that banana republic letting them out. I mean you have to go to court to and beg a judge to allow defense council there when your questioned.

So, other than natilee missing, I dont believe one thing any of them said. Jossy, police, reporters, "witness's", the idiot three.

This case will be in all the law books. What not to do.

Coolbeans

[bey]

Why would Paul V D Sloot say two days after Natalie missing that "if there's no body there's no case".

Is this documented or is this hear-say like 95% of the rest of our "information?"

Posted by: Robert | August 2, 2005 09:40 PM

----------------------------
It was said by Beth and Jug that Paul said that. And yes it is documented on fox broadcasting because Beth and Jug told fox news and I heard it. lol ...But did the Aruba officials document it? Yes, I think so. It was enough to get Paul arrested but apparently not enough to keep him.

[Anna]

I don't think Dave could go on national TV and give any witness his total endorsement but I did not get the impression he was saying he doubted this one's credibility, only that he had no way of knowing. An honest man stating the facts. Does not mean he discounts the possibility the witness is credible just he is not willint to stake his own credibility on that of a witness.

[bey]

Well they if this pales out then the prosecutor needs to get them for kidnapping and start prepairing her statements. I hope she's on the ball.

[Coolbeans]

I thought it was a bitter Micky john who said 'Pak said it. Almost Jossy worth in my book.

Coolbeans

[bey]

I wonder if they used that new voice thingy on Joran with the behavior specialist. The voice thing registers how your voice sounds when asked questions. It shows if your telling a lie, or fear in your voice, excitement in your voice etc.

[P in S.E. Asia]

Robert,

It was documents but as with everthing else (in fact Paul was the one who told the police that he has explained that FACT to the boyz), people continue to take it out of context even after the guy explained other legal facts along with that one.

But i guess this line is more 'news worthy' and guilt insinuating so people have jumped on it.

This to me begs the question, why woudl an educated man like paul tell the world he had done something liek that if he didn't do it in anything but innocence?

[Robert]

"It was said by Beth and Jug that Paul said that. And yes it is documented on fox broadcasting because Beth and Jug told fox news and I heard it. lol ...But did the Aruba officials document it? Yes, I think so. It was enough to get Paul arrested but apparently not enough to keep him."

Well where did Beth and Jug get it? There is no documented public record of him saying that. Beth called the brothers criminals and almost got her ass sued off. She is a bit fast with her mouth. There is also no public documented record of why Paul was arrested. We must keep in mind that the investigation is behind closed doors and we really have no idea what FACTS, HARD FACTS are in the Crown's case or that of the defense.

[////CroSSBronXXPreSS////]

I (may not be relevant, just a thought) think Gretta personally became very attatched to this case , and her main goal (Fox relevant or not) was to do all she could to support Beth and Co. , but due to the obvious lack of journalistic lack of conversation , is grasping of any straws within reach .

I do believe (contrary to what anyone thinks or posts about her ) that she is a truly passionate/caring person!

[bey]

There is also no public documented record of why Paul was arrested. We must keep in mind that the investigation is behind closed doors and we really have no idea what FACTS, HARD FACTS are in the Crown's case or that of the defense.

Posted by: Robert | August 2, 2005 09:55 PM
----------------
Well according to Dutch law, Paul was arrested on ..oh crap what they call it? On "reason of suspicion" I don't know...they called it somthing like that. Same with the security guards they arrested.
***We must keep in mind that the investigation is behind closed doors and we really have no idea what FACTS, HARD FACTS are in the Crown's case or that of the defense.***Posted by: Robert | August 2, 2005 09:55 PM

--
totally agree with you again.

[P in S.E. Asia]

Robert,

Paul told the authorities that he had told the boys that. Runa check. Imma see if i can find it for u.

Then again it should be in Dan's archives

[Kat_Gram]

I found this last nite on HyScience :
The Fisherman's Hut pix is there, but I don't see a crooked table ?

11 PM ET HarryTho UPdate:

Fox News (Greta) interviews Beth Twitty. Beth contends that there was a break in the surveillance tape at the Holiday Inn that prevented the authorities from determining whether or not Joran and the Kalpoes returned Natalee to the hotel on the night in question. Second, Beth contends that 17-year-old Joran van der Sloot has an open gambling account at the Excelsior Casino. Regrettably, according to Beth, the manager of that casino cannot...... blah balh

The information given in this from last night contradicts what I thought was true, that they had a HI security tape and Natalee wasn't on the tape.

............
Does anyone know or did anyone hear or have an idea about :
1.) The " Male " DNA on Nat's toothbrush ? Whose is it ?
2.) She had two things on her, drivers license and some cash. Where was her room key, pass card for the HI ?
3.) What kinds of phone calls did she make in Aruba the week she was there.? To who ?

[////CroSSBronXXPreSS////]

On another note.....

Alot of people have in the same context as alot of other people already judged what they percive to be the meaning of "If there is no body , there is no case" , but , (and believe me I am in no way defending these FOUR snaeky suspects) , say for instance Joran is innocent , and scared to death of the consequences of such a serious accusation , and says to Faa-Der-Sloot , Wow dad this is serious , authorities may think i did something to cause the end of this girl's life.......Faa-Der-Sloot may have simply in a multitude of different ways simply siad something like....Son...Don't let a murder charge make you scared , she may be alive , and they can't finger you for murder , because if "there is no body,there is no case(against you)......sorry for such a long post , but I think it's a valuable thought!

[////CroSSBronXXPreSS////]

also.... with the amount of info produced forward (based on hard truths, and info that is legit) , I do believe Joran may have been the last one Natalee was seen with , but I personally doubt , she was the last to see her ...alive , or presently captive !!!

-Bedtime , I Rarely post , but I hope people absorb the insight!! - thanks to those who do!

[annie]

In all fairness Dan, last night Dave was interviewed for quite a while on several FOX shows, including Greta's and Dave said he couldn't say for certain he believed the witness, but he did say that there were things that made him seem credible and other things that made him question him. I did not get the impression he really could tell whether the he was credible or not. He just didn't commit, but he also said he felt it was important to continue the search because he would not feel comfortable not searching.

I think the headline you presented was misleading and possible a bit harsh.

[bey]

Does anyone know or did anyone hear or have an idea about :
1.) The " Male " DNA on Nat's toothbrush ? Whose is it ?
2.) She had two things on her, drivers license and some cash. Where was her room key, pass card for the HI ?
3.) What kinds of phone calls did she make in Aruba the week she was there.? To who ?

Posted by: Kat_Gram | August 2, 2005 10:13 PM

--------------
1.) The " Male " DNA on Nat's toothbrush ----that didn't pan out and nothing more has been said about it.

2.) She had two things on her, drivers license and some cash. Where was her room key, pass card for the HI ?------ No no one has said anything about her room key and her pass port was with her things in her room.

3.) What kinds of phone calls did she make in Aruba the week she was there.? To who ? -----no one has ever said. Only that her cell phone was in her room with her stuff and she had turned her cell phone that she rented back in.

[bey]

lol@Mark Furman....he is so right...I'm so glad someone is finally sounding sane.

[////CroSSBronXXPreSS////]

@ Bey : Just a note , contrary to what alot of us think , I do believe the ARuban/Dutch/FBI authorities have alot of proven facts(maybe evidence), and or theories , that just aren't presented to us yet.
Very early in this case , before alot of the case contents were leaked , one of the first things I remember hearing was something like "The facts of this case cannot be released yet due to the fact that the system is so touchy , even the smallest bit of evidence leak could contaminate the case , and cause it to be thrown out immediately"......Not an exact quote , but to the best of my memory...THE DEAL!!

[mick]

Furman was all wrong. Greta led in with her interview of the police officer, who clearly stated, that he was not involved in the investigation, and then Mark jumped all over him like he was the lead investigator or something. What a set-up.

[DennisAOK]

I don't agree with you, Mick. I think Furman directed his criticism at the early stages of the investigation, and the slow pace of it, not at the individual interviewed.

[patrick]

Mick, I didn't take that from Fuhrman's comments. yes, he did mention the Leiutenant but simply to say that he wondered what proof he had that NH was not in Aruba and why he would say that. Everything Fuhrman said about the investiation and Aruban cops in my opinion, was right on the money.

[bey]

I'm curious to see what the behavior specialists find out. Because, I'm certain they used the voice monitor to determine what answers were lies and truth. If that thing really works then that might tell us something about Joran.

[mick]

When they cut from the interview Furman was shaking his head and said I can't believe what I just heard and then jumped all over Aruban LE as he has from the begining. I agree with him on some points but he is no better than the rest of who sit here comentating without the facts. He just has a bigger audience. With regard to fox, the lead in speaks for itself. Why didn't they lead in with an interview of the lead investigator who could actually tell us something about the case.

[DennisAOK]

Why didn't they lead in with an interview of the lead investigator who could actually tell us something about the case.

Posted by: mick | August 2, 2005 10:44 PM

Isn't she vacationing in Holland?

[What'sthis]

COOLBEANS SAID:

This is FOX's second go round. Remember Chandra Levy. Sean Hannity proclaimed Gary Condits guilt almost everynight.

WHAT'STHIS SAID:
Sorry dude, but I didn't need H and C to tell me Gary Condits was involved in that disappearance. That was a no-brainer from the get go. And he walked away from it, just like JVDS will probably walk away from Natalee's disappearance.

[Frank Zappa]

The Quality of Fox's coverage of Natalee's disappearnace has been declining steadly for several weeks. They are not doing any substantive investigative reporting but just passing along the babel that comes out of the mouths of Jossy, Tito, Ted Williams and Mark Furhman, etc, and providing Cameo opportunities for the Hollway/Twitties...no real value added is being provided by Fox and it is hurting their credibility.

As discussed on this blog there are plenty of people running around in Aruba who could have something credible to say about the case...but maybe not with a camera stuck in their face...if that is what is being passed off as reporting.

[What'sthis]

FRANK ZAPPA SAID:
The Quality of Fox's coverage of Natalee's disappearnace has been declining steadly for several weeks. They are not doing any substantive investigative reporting but just passing along the babel that comes out of the mouths of Jossy, Tito, Ted Williams and Mark Furhman, etc, and providing Cameo opportunities for the Hollway/Twitties...no real value added is being provided by Fox and it is hurting their credibility.

As discussed on this blog there are plenty of people running around in Aruba who could have something credible to say about the case...but maybe not with a camera stuck in their face...if that is what is being passed off as reporting.

Posted by: Frank Zappa | August 2, 2005 10:54 PM

WHAT'STHIS SAID:
Wow, Frank, good to hear from you. Have you seen NH?