Neal Gabler: How Not to Be a Journalist

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 29 November 2005 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

Another Newsbusters article on press bias. I think you will find it interesting that an allegedly capable journalist not only said these things on Fox News, but that he shouted them, to force his views on the panelists and on the audience. It was a Larry McDonald moment.

John / Billybob

[Fenris6]

What an idiot. I get all my Iraqi news from Micheal Yon - he's the only reporter over there with the cajones to leave the hotel & the honor to report the truth.

The terrorists are being degraded and pushed back, Syrian supply lines are cut, Al Queda is desperate and making huge political mistakes [Jordan], Shia and Kurds are cooperating well and showing restraint and discipline, the Iraqi's have voted for an interim government and a Constition with more elections on the 15th, Saddam is on trial.

The only serious problem is aid coming in from Iran. I'm betting that once Iraq stabilizes, both Syria and Iran will be forced to reform or perish.

[esmith]

Gabler is always introduced as a "Media Writer" so what is a
media writer, and who does he work for?

[Fenris6]

http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/

[Buck W.]

I wouldn't call Cal Thomas the token conservative on the show. Jim Pinkerton is pretty reliably right of center.

[denydenydeny]

Oh COME ON. It’s already BEEN weighed....WE KNOW that Iraq is a DISASTER.”

All leftists are totalitarians at heart.

They long for a total monopoly on the dissemination of information, and any disagreements with their sage wisdom send them into a frothing rage.

Great essay as usual.

[FreeKeys]

Jane is the designated liberal. Neil is the token barking moonbat (who destroys his own credibility just by being himself).

It seems the formula for drawing the most viewers is to have as much controversy as possible, not that I enjoy waiting for the nutcases to end their rants.

[Congressman Billybob]

When I looked at Neal Gabler's bio, he writes for a number of outlets including salon.com His primary subject is television and movies. He's accustomed to looking at something in his office, and then writing his stuff.

John / Billybob

[DTogo]

Gabler on News Watch is like Juan Williams on Special Report or Chris Wallace's panel. Unfortunately Brit Hume isn't on News Watch to smack Gabler down like he does to Williams.

[Lorianne]

I've missed this show two weekends in a row because (channeling Neal Gabler) I CAN'T FIND IT !!!!

Hear that FOX?

Instead all I see on the weekend lineup are hours and hours of The Lineup. What the hell is up with that?

[wigswest]

and:

http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/

[Texas_Jarhead]

I saw this weekend's episode I an concur completely.

[Steely Tom]

Back in the early to mid '80's, Siskel and Ebert started out on PBS doing a show called something like "At The Movies" (can't remember the exact title). When they got an offer for big bucks from network TV they left PBS, which kept the show's name. To replace Siskel and Ebert, PBS turned to Neil Gabler and (IIRC) Michael Medved.

Guess we know why they liked Gabler; he was a reliable leftist. I think at the time, however, Medved had not yet showed his conservative colors. Maybe he had not yet even realized he was a conservative.

(steely)

[Steely Tom]

Back in the early to mid '80's, Siskel and Ebert started out on PBS doing a show called something like "At The Movies" (can't remember the exact title). When they got an offer for big bucks from network TV they left PBS, which kept the show's name. To replace Siskel and Ebert, PBS turned to Neil Gabler and (IIRC) Michael Medved.

Guess we know why they liked Gabler; he was a reliable leftist. I think at the time, however, Medved had not yet showed his conservative colors. Maybe he had not yet even realized he was a conservative.

(steely)

[BigSkyFreeper]

Calling Cal Thomas a "token Conservative" is an insult to Cal Thomas.

[Stepan12]

I heard Gabler's rant, too; however, it's not something that is worth recording in my view.

[exit82]

Hi John.

I saw the show on Sunday and had the same reaction to Neil's comments on Iraq. Of course, I was shouting back at the TV pointing out his excesses to him.

I tried to keep it simple and effective--using words no longer than four letters, with a couple of "-ing"s thrown in. I was surprised how easily I was able to describe his ancestry, never having met the man in person.

He won my "turkey of the week" award.

[Steely Tom]

Sorry for double post.

[pcottraux]

Can anyone find a video of this? I'd like to see it.

[RJL]

Iraq is a DISASTER

Perfect? No, but when has it ever been done better.