I love it when a plan comes together.
Posted on 09/17/2004 2:26:48 PM PDT by Diago
FIRST SIGNS OFF SUCCESS WITH 'THE PLAN' [09/17 05:08 PM]
The Pajamahadeen are getting their first results. I am forwarded an email from one CBS affiliate general manager. I don't want this guy to get in trouble, so I'll just say he's from a city of about 150,000 in the midwest.
You are one in a line of many who have written with concerns and I’m responding to all of them. I must say I am disappointed, however, at your last statement – that you would indeed throw out any integrity that [this station]has strived to build with this incident. Of course we would not and WILL not stand by the network or Dan Rather. This is an embarrassment. If you think you are disappointed, you should be a station that has played a part in making CBS America’s most watched network. You should be in my shoes knowing that we actually pay for some of their services.
All I can say is that you are right. For what it is worth, a directive went out from my office that no more promos containing Dan Rather are to air on [this station], nor is the network tease during the 5:00 newscast to air. That promotes stories on the CBS Evening News. It will not run.
We can only express our grave disappointment and consider preemption of CBS PrimeTime programming. Believe me, our affiliate reps both regionally and nationally are listening to our concerns and in my heart I believe action against Dan Rather on the part of the network is not far away.
I was embarrassed by the 60 Minutes program Wednesday night. We would NOT have approved running the story nor would we have ignored expert. Dan violated a rule from Journalism 101 – and that is to never, yourself, become the focus of the story.
I would ask you stand WITH [this station] and not abandon us. It is during this time that we must all stand firm in our beliefs.
It sounds like this guy gets it. Now the Pajamahadeen has to get as many affiliate station managers and programming directors to join him as possible.
By the way, one line in that e-mail is worth repeating: "Our affiliate reps both regionally and nationally are listening to our concerns and in my heart I believe action against Dan Rather on the part of the network is not far away."
HAHAHAHA And, now he thinks he's an expert in "holding".
How could someone be so stupid and still know how to breathe?
It must be why breathing is reflexive and not a learned activity.
It just keeps getting better.
Forward that redacted email to cBS.
ADMIN MOD: could you please add Pajamahadeen to the OK spell check list...thanks
Liberal mind tricks won't work on me ..... I detect a fraud in the force, is CBS news on TV right now?
I wrote a similar letter to WWJ Radio in Detroit, a CBS affiliate radio station. Rather does the newscast often. I asked them to cancel their affiliation with CBS until Rather was fired.
The response was short and rather odd, but interesting.
"Coming soon!"
The ! was part of their response. Exclamation points are not a normal part of most business correspondence, so it made me think that Danny's days are numbered.
Zero would be a good number.
....The local affiliates have no “control” over the networks. [Our station] is packed full of good, hard working, community minded and dedicated broadcast professionals. They shouldn’t be judged or penalized because of a decision made in New York by people they’ve never met and probably never will. But, that’s just my opinion....
The statement above is straight out of the disaster plan.It is almost exactly what my Tennessee Manager from WJHL told me.
It is cowardice. They don't want to face the issue. They are afraid to confront CBS. They are afraid to not broadcast CBS News and do battle over contract terms in court.
Their "dedicated broadcast professionals" are guilty by assocation.
We have our new name!
bttt
Yep - I have a feeling this one's gonna stick!
Send them this in your letter about why the CBS NEWs Division has failed its afilliates.It failed to follow its own rules in the CBS NEWS STANDARDS.
Page 37B headed "Standards and Procedures," which says, in part: "Anonymous sources should be used only when it is determined (1) that there is no other practicable way to obtain and report the information; (2) that the information is factual and of sufficient newsworthiness to warrant its use despite the fact that we cannot disclose its source; and (3) that the source and his information are highly reliable in the particular instance."
There is more, including this: "Where the use of an anonymous source is necessary, as much information as possible about the nature [underlined] of the source should be provided to the audience, assuming, of course, that this information would not lead to disclosure of the source. Where the source may have a vested interest in the matter to be reported, it is especially important that information be provided as to the nature and/or motivation of the source."
I love it when a plan comes together.
Great!! Let's keep the pressure on.
There is more to this story than meets the eye, and until they start bleeding affiliates, they won't go any further.
KPHO-CBS 5
Channel 5
Dear Stationmanager:
I am writing in regard to Dan Rather’s 60 MinutesII “memogate”.
I am reminding you of statements from the Standards and Procedures, Page 37B which say, in part:
Anonymous sources should be used only when it is determined:
(1) that there is no other practicable way to obtain and report the information;
(2) that the information is factual and of sufficient newsworthiness to warrant its use despite the fact that we cannot disclose its source; and
(3) that the source and his information are highly reliable in the particular instance."
Also,
"Where the use of an anonymous source is necessary, as much information as possible about the nature of the source should be provided to the audience, assuming, of course, that this information would not lead to disclosure of the source.
Where the source may have a vested interest in the matter to be reported, it is especially important that information be provided as to the nature and/or motivation of the source."
And I would add: Absolutely NO false statements or representations be made.
Some of the sources for “memogate” are not anonymous, but they are highly suspect (or dead).
There are NO credible sources, or countering sources.
Please review ALL of the strong evidence that shows that the memos are fake, the content is absurd, and that Rather has ulterior motives for presenting such programming.
I realize that you have no control over the content or presentation of 60 MinutesII, but this letter is to inform you that I will NOT watch Channel 5 and I will not – to the best of my ability – patronize your advertisers, as long as you show ANY programming associated with Dan Rather.
This hurts me, because I enjoy some of your programming (CBS News [while I hold my nose], Cold Case, Everybody loves Raymond, The King of Queens, Two and a Half Men, CSI, 48 Hours Investigates [I really enjoy this], David Letterman [occasionally], Local News, and other programs once-in-a-while).
Sincerely (literally)
(name, address, phone, e-mail)
I prefer the Pajamasphere . . .
Or the Vast Right Wing Pajama Party . . .
Nice.
Dear TC,
First, thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the CBS News story about President Bush's military record.
To say the least, we are very concerned about the controversy surrounding the memos used as the basis for their story. Letters and emails of concern like yours have been flooding WRAL as I am sure the rest of the affiliate stations across the country. CBS is feeling the heat. Below is the latest industry story regarding this CBS story.
CBS Stands By Story, Investigates Criticisms
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/15/2004 7:39:00 PM
CBS continued to defend its story questioning President George W. Bush's National Guard service Wednesday night amid growing criticism that the story was based, in part, on bogus documents.
-----snip-----
CBS News President Andrew Heyward said the network would not have run the story if it hadn't vetted it thoroughly, but he also pledged to "redouble our efforts" to answer the network's critics.
As for WRAL-TV News, which is locally owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, we will continue to provide the most accurate and unbiased local news to our viewers. I hope you will not penalized us for what CBS is doing.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. Please make sure your thoughts are heard at CBS News.
Respectfully,
Chuck deCourt
Station Manager
I emailed him back and asked for a number. I called the number (which has been posted here) and made certain to tell the operator that I was calling at the request of WRAL, a privately owned affiliate. She really seemed interested with the affiliate angle. I really believe they are applying pressure to CBS
But that would make us Pajamanauts.
As a nickname, I'd considerate it as "the respectful affectionate" case.
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