ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM
INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
DrudgeReport.com
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET
On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its
programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government
run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!
Highlights on the agenda:
ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the
White House.
The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' --
originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.
The Director of Communications at the White House Office of Health Reform is
Linda Douglass, who worked as a reporter for ABC News from 1998-2006.
Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired
off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:
Dear Mr. Westin:
As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned
and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on
this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a
primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President
Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING
AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special
programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the
promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive
on ABC News programming.
Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our
Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health
care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the
President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people.
However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing
thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC
viewers.
In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified
infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime
infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not
hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President
has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the
Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should
pay for your airtime.
Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff
MORE
ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC
complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':
"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking
direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when
others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism
from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the
most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.
"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of
the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete
editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists
and our audience."
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