'Witch Hunt': As Gaza body toll mounts, NBC executives crack down on criticism of Israel.

[Karmadillo]

http://www.alternet.org/media/witch-hunt-fired-msnbc-contributor-speaks-out-networks-witch-hunt-and-suppression-israel

'Witch Hunt': Fired MSNBC Contributor Speaks Out on Suppression of Israel-Palestine Debate
As Gaza body toll mounts, NBC executives crack down on criticism of Israel.

July 22, 2014 |

MSNBC contributor Rula Jebreal’s on-air protest of the network’s slanted coverage of Israel’s ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip has brought media suppression of the Israel-Palestine debate into sharp focus. Punished for her act of dissent with the cancellation of all future appearances and the termination of her contract, Jebreal spoke to me about what prompted her to speak out and why MSNBC was presenting such a distorted view of the crisis.

“I couldn’t stay silent after seeing the amount of airtime given to Israeli politicians versus Palestinians,” Jebreal told me. “They say we are balanced but their idea of balance is 90 percent Israeli guests and 10 percent Palestinians. This kind of media is what leads to the failing policies that we see in Gaza.”

<edit>

An NBC producer speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed Jebreal’s account, describing to me a top-down intimidation campaign aimed at presenting an Israeli-centric view of the attack on the Gaza Strip. The NBC producer told me that MSNBC President Phil Griffin and NBC executives are micromanaging coverage of the crisis, closely monitoring contributors’ social media accounts and engaging in a “witch hunt” against anyone who strays from the official line.

<edit>

In introducing Jebreal, <Chris> Hayes took on the role of the industry and network defender: “Let me take you behind the curtain of cable news business for a moment,” Hayes told his viewers. “If you appear on a cable news network, you trash that network and one of its hosts by name, on any issue — Gaza, infrastructure spending, sports coverage, funny internet cat videos — the folks at the network will not take kindly to it.”

In fact, MSNBC Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough has publicly attacked fellow MSNBC hosts and slammed the network for its support for the Democratic Party.

more...

[sabrina 1]

1. It's the Corporate Media. I don't know why anyone is surprised, we know

they are a Propaganda machine, that news is constantly censored and the firings of anyone who dares to try to tell the truth, have been ongoing since the 2000 election up to today.

They are allowed to report on tornadoes and hurricanes eg, but on any topic of political importance, they will disappear anyone who strays from the script.

Right now they are gearing up for another war. Israel's war crimes will be nothing compared to our own if the war mongers succeed.

We do not have a news media when it comes to these important issues, period. We all knew this so I am amazed that anyone is amazed.

As for Chris Hayes, well, as we gear up for war, the honest and ethical reporters will be separated from the rest. They will do as Donohue did, and they will be fired.

Which is why so many people now are turning to other sources for facts.

[defacto7]

3. Good comment.

"Which is why so many people now are turning to other sources for facts."

Another reason to protect Internet neutrality. At least we have a choice of sources and we can dig for information if necessary. Old "TV" style news/journalism is dead... or dying so slowly no one notices.

[sabrina 1]

7. And that is why the internet is under assault by them. They thought they had control

of the message after they bought up the media, but had not considered the Internet, until they saw how it played a role starting mostly during the past decade as more and more 'different' media began to emerge.

I don't know who is going to stop them, but they need to be prevented from taking over this medium also, and we all know how determined they will be to do so.

[rhett o rick]

10. I would say gaining control of the internet is the Power That Be's (B613) number one goal.

The problem they will encounter is that the internet/information genie is out of the bag. The masses won't take it lightly when they try to shut it down. Most likely they will just try to control the content.

I wonder if the DU lock/hide squad will touch this subject.

[TBF]

11. The admins protested

the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/1013812

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a statement from them on net neutrality.

[Duppers]

4. Yes, indeed you're right

NBC = Comcast

[malaise]

6. That simple

I can't believe how many folks take sides over media propaganda.

The internet has changed the dynamics - we can find the truth for ourselves - our emperors are naked. They know we don't believe their lies, spin and BS.

[Pisces]

2. Wow, way to prove her point. It is lopsided because all brown people bad, all the time. Hard to

imagine what the response would be if 200 Jewish children had died. 200 dead Palestinian children and people get fired for voicing
concern. Wow, just wow.

[sabrina 1]

8. It's beyond words, isn't it?

[BillZBubb]

5. On Israel, ALL major media is Fox News.

Israeli propaganda outlets one and all.

[CoffeeCat]

9. So what war actions are they preparing for?

All of this controlled "Love Israel; Hate the Palestinians" messaging--you have to wonder--for what impending military action is the United States attempting to soften us up?

An NBC reporter was literally escorted out of the region, sent home and replaced because he dared to report on the Israelis who killed Palestinian children. An MSNBC reporter who criticized Israel had upcoming media appearances cancelled.

Such a tight, steady drumbeat of rallying support for Israel and reducing the Palestinians to objectified, inhuman objects. US reporters aren't even supposed to report on Palestinians that Israelis kill. The Palestinian children who were murdered on the beach, became a five-second story that was quickly squelched. I don't being played.

That only happens when they need us to support a war.

What the hell are they doing?

And just for the record, both sides are murderous murders who are murdering other human beings. There are no sides as far as I'm concerned. Not anyone--especially not the US media--is going to convince me otherwise. So sick of the war, and paying for war--when we are constantly told that we must cut food stamps, heating assistance for 80-year olds and school lunches for seven-year olds.

I won't be blindly led as a sheeple cheerleader for another war from these bloodthirsty, neocon sociopaths.