Al Gore hits out at Rupert Murdoch's News Corp

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Source: Guardian

Former US vice-president Al Gore has hit out at Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, accusing it of "an abuse of power" by forcing his liberal TV station off air in Italy because it did not fit in with the media giant's "ideological agenda".

In an interview with the Guardian, Gore said the Current TV news and documentary channel was told unexpectedly three weeks ago that it could no longer be carried by Sky Italia because of its decision to hire a US left-leaning commentator often critical of Murdoch's company.

He added that the decision reflected how News Corporation operated worldwide. "News Corporation is an international conglomerate with an ideological agenda. It seeks political power in every nation they operate. They wield that power to shut down voices that disagree with the agenda of Rupert Murdoch," Gore said.

The decision, he added, was "a complete shock" but Current TV executives were told "off the record that the decision was taken on News Corp instructions from New York". The primary reason, he said, was "because Current is launching Keith Olbermann next month".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/may/19/al-gore-rupert-mudoch-news-corp

[patricia92243]

1. Scary stuff. Republican's unlimited power is what made me become a Democrat.

[blackdem76]

13. Go Al! n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. How much of Italian broadcasting do Murdoch and Berlusconi control between them?

Scary to think about.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Wow! Finally! Someone uses the term:

"Anglo-American political theory highlights the problem. Too much power in the hands of one person is dangerous, no matter the ideology," Gore said. "The conversation of democracy, which used to happen in newspapers or in other public places now happens on the television screen. But this is a public space in which gatekeepers charge rents."

He cited the example of the 2003 Iraq war, in which News Corp had acted as "an aggressive cheerleader" for the US-led invasion, to the point where "three quarters of the American public got the impression that Saddam Hussein was responsible for the attacks of 2001". This journalism, Gore said, "has consequences" and he argued that "our democracy is much better when there are diverse viewpoints" to inform decision-making.

[The Nexus]

9. What did you expect? It's a political cold war.

Only a matter of time before all sides get bloody unfortunately.

[bigendian]

4. Rock on Al!

spread the word.

[JTFrog]

5. K&R!

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Current TV broadcasts around the world, including the UK, but the channel has been more successful in Italy, where it claims that "one in three" Sky Italia viewers watch at some point during the week. However, Gore said that decision to not renew the channel's existing distribution deal also had implications in the UK – where News Corp's takeover of BSkyB is under review on the grounds of "media plurality".

"I know that News Corp is close to reaching an agreement to buy BSkyB. Now I may not be a party to that debate, but if anybody believes that will remain hands off if there are diverse opinions that do not agree with its ideological agenda then they are fools. This is proof positive of their abuse of power," Gore said.

Thanks for the thread, ProudToBeLiberal.

[Samantha]

7. How truly refreshing to hear Gore speaking out publicly

on important news. I wish he would do this more often. We need another important voice of reason among the insanity currently being broadcast.

[brightertomorrow]

8. All this because they hired Keith

He must have one powerful voice. Can't wait until he gets back on air.
Good for Gore for standing up and for speaking out.

[dropkickpa]

10. Me too! I've missed my KO fix. n/t

[slay]

11. Rupert Murdoch needs to be brought before congress to answer for all his bullshit

well.. if we had a congress that actually gave a shit that is. Ugh.

Boy they are SCARED of Keith Olbermann though aren't they? :evilgrin:

[lbrtbell]

15. Murdoch also hates KO personally

Probably had something to do with Keith saying, years ago on Countdown, that Murdoch was doing such-and-such "between pies." :rofl:

[Kingofalldems]

12. Special Prosecutor needed--investigate and subpoena all Fox records

[pacalo]

14. K&R.

[and-justice-for-all]

16. Faux and Murdoch must be destroyed...nt

[fascisthunter]

17. Fox News is a Global Fascist Propaganda Syndicate