Fox Apologizes for Conyers/Jefferson Flub

[sabra]

http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/06/fox-apologizes-for.html

Fox News has issued an on-air apology for using video of the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, John Conyers of Michigan, to illustrate the network's coverage yesterday of the corruption indictment of Rep. William Jefferson of Louisana. The mix-up was first reported on this blog yesterday.

The offending videotape is here, with a bit of critical commentary from Talkingpointsmemo.com. Liberal bloggers have used the episode to pillory Fox. Both congressmen are African-American Democrats. Mr. Conyers is 78. Mr. Jefferson is 60. More details on Fox's brief mea culpa below.

"Yesterday at this time, news of the indictment of Congressman William Jefferson came down. We mistakenly ran the wrong video to accompany this story and we apologize for that error," a Fox anchor, Martha MacCallum, told viewers at about 1:20 p.m. today. The 10-second apology made no reference to Mr. Conyers and did not explain why or how the erroneous video made it to air.

An aide to Mr. Conyers said the network had called to express its regret over the incident. "They indicated that they had a staffer in New York who just sued hit a button and ran the wrong B-roll. They were very contrite about it and we take them at their word," the aide, who asked not to be named, said.

[underpants]

1. Bullshit that was no accident

[malaise]

3. Ding ding

it was deliberate.

[bryant69]

5. To what end?

I mean what would be the point?

It makes more sense for me for it to be an example of how Fox (and by extension news media in general) don't think Blacks, even black Congresspeople, are all that important or distinguishable.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[yardwork]

8. Gee, I can't think of any reason why Fox News would want to discredit Conyers

.../sarcasm

[EFerrari]

13. Because John Conyers is a big fat target. n/t

[bryant69]

18. Do you think most of Fox's audience can tell Conyers and Jefferson apart?

I'd be surprised if they could myself.

I might have missed something, did the text describe Conyers as Jefferson/ Or did it say that Conyers was indcited? I thought it was just the picture.

Bryant

[EFerrari]

19. I guess my point is, it's not in the Faux interest to distinguish

between these men.

I didn't see it. But you have to know that the opportunity to tar Mr. Conyers, who has been a tireless advocate for Democrats and democratic values, must have been irresistible.

[bryant69]

21. I think they made a mistake because they are stupid and racist

it's a simpler explanation, and even if they get the idea, surely they knew they would get caught.

Course maybe someoen in the graphics department did it on purpose; but the organization as a whole? It just doesn't scan in my mind.

Republicans are usually pretty desperate to hide their racism, to give themselves plausible deniability, which is what makes things like this and Bill O'Rielly's comments stand out.

Bryant

[EFerrari]

26. You may be right and/ but, Mr. Conyers is a "high value" target. nt

[IChing]

20. "I'd be surprised if they could myself. "

Yes all blackmen look alike.

[bryant69]

25. I was talking about Fox viewers

not the general population. I realize your rage at me for having a different opinion than you must be intoxicating, but don't let it go to your head.

Or do you question the implication that Fox Viewers might be a bit more racist and/or misinformed than the general populace? If so, why are you defending Fox Viewers?

Bryant

[IChing]

27. LOL you defended faux news numerous times in this thread!!

"Course maybe someoen in the graphics department did it on purpose; but the organization as a whole? It just doesn't scan in my mind. "-------blame in on someone in the graphics department OK.

"To what end?" ----what does this imply?--you don't have a clue why they would do this.

I mean what would be the point? --again

You tried to pass this off as a just a common mistake then later came back with agreement in general


See my first post in this thread then look at yours.

[bryant69]

28. Hmmmmm. I note that you don't seem to feel the need to make sense

What does this phrase mean? "You tried to pass this off as a just a common mistake then later came back with agreement in general"

I don't know that saying Fox News was stupid and racist rather than deliberately malicious counts as defending Fox News, but if you say so.

Bryant

[yardwork]

24. How did they make the mistake?

How did they "accidentally" exchange a video clip of one congressman for another, and have it oh-so-conveniently turn out to be one of the very very very few other African American men in Congress?

What are the odds of their "accidentally" making this mistake? Do they have a roll of film labeled "black guys in Congress" for them to run the wrong one.

"Conyers" and "Jefferson" aren't close to one another alphabetically. How are these tapes catalogued by Faux?

Aren't you curious, to quote Michele Malkin?

[HCE SuiGeneris]

15. See post # 11

[EFerrari]

12. No accident but their drooling audience won't get it. n/t

[Goblinmonger]

2. They all look alike to Fox. n/t

[Lerkfish]

4. and Morgan Fairchild is my willing mistress......

[IChing]

6. This is an outrage and a FCC violation

Conyers should sue the bastards

[blueworld]

7. Still faux after all these years

It isn't the first time, quite the reverse. I can't be bothered looking up every instance, but they mislabel pictures, incorrectly represent the affiliated party of Congress persons under investigation...the same tactic Rove uses in the WH. You have to accept that they're idiots, otherwise they would be evil bazturds. I've made my decision. :evilfrown:

[williesgirl]

9. Funny how they never make these negative mistakes on pukes!

[yardwork]

16. They don't have to make up negative stuff about pukes!

They're always scrambling to *cover up* all the negative stuff about pukes.

[AzDar]

10. Yep. Just like mixing up Saddam and Barack...mistakes were made.

No malice aforethought...:sarcasm:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. "Visual codespeak" perhaps?

"See, base? We here at FOX think all blacks look alike! We're racist just like you! Watch us!"

[HCE SuiGeneris]

14. You nailed it. More than exploitive. As rascist as is gets.

[yardwork]

17. AND their excuse makes no sense

Not only is it garbled and unintelligible, what I can piece together of what they're saying makes no sense. Do they expect us to believe that they have a stack of videos labeled "black guys in Congress" and they accidentally ran the wrong one?

"They indicated that they had a staffer in New York who just sued hit a button and ran the wrong B-roll."

[Swamp Rat]

22. THEY all look alike.

FUX Snooze lizards, that is. :D

[dogday]

23. Conyers should threaten them with a slander suit

It only takes one time and his reputation can be damaged for good.. How many will not see the apology that saw the wrong video for the Jefferson Story? What---any black man will do? That is so wrong in so many ways, I can't even begin to count.....