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Posted on 11/22/2001 3:34:02 PM PST by AJAY

Ajay sent the following letter to Ted Koppel of Nightline after his Nightline program of 11/21/01:

To: Ted Koppel specifically and to ABC News generally:

I've watched Nightline from the beginning with those fascinating " hostages in Iran" stories. But the program has been in continuous decline in the last few years. It started with a real journalist but has become a vehicle for Ted Koppel's ego and political views. Tonight's (Wednesday's) program was a disgrace--on a sensitive national security issue, you essentially had three people in a discussion, all obviously critical of President Bush's emergency policies which only are applicable to non-citizens and provide greater security for the lives of all those living in America. Wasn't it possible to get Joe DiGenova, his wife Gloria, Jonathan Turley, or dozens of others that the Federalist Society could have referred you to? Or even just a guest who might have voted for President Bush? Is this what you call fair and balanced journalism?

I have noticed that whenever an issue about conflicts between Black and White racial groups is discussed on Nightline, Ted Koppel is shamelessly biased in favor of Black complaints and generally oblivious to the grievances of Whites. Most Americans reject racial preferences but even when their position is indicated on Nightline, it is placed at considerable disadvantage. On several other issues, Mr. Koppel almost always is sympathetic to the "Blame America" positions found on the upper west side of NY City, Hollywood, San Francisco, Berkeley, Burlington and some other mostly college towns. This is a big country, Ted!--but to be fair, at least you are more receptive to conservative positions than Peter Jennings who fits more comfortably into the "Hate America" crowd. Conservatives almost always go after CNN first but I believe that CNN is much more receptive to conservative positions than ABC which clearly is the most biased of all the broadcast networks. You people badly are in need of a Tim Russert, clearly a Democrat but one who eschews the advocate journalism one gets drowned in at ABC News. "This Week" keeps elevating a political hit-man like George Stephanopoulos while firing Bill Kristol, a brilliant and clear-headed thinker, clearly more intelligent than Curious George. Kristol happily, now, is sought out by all of your competitors to your considerable disadvantage--and I'm one who doesn't agree with much of what Kristol says. ABC also forced out Bob Zelnick, one of its most competent and balanced reporters. You have kept George Will--the only one of your on-air faces that voted for President Bush, unless there, surprisingly, is someone else who I have missed entirely. And your great leader, David Westin, who has become a giant target of national ridicule and scorn, doesn't even have the wit to keep his mouth shut when he so clearly is very confused. He doesn't have a clue to keeping quiet when his every word seems to be self-destructive. I guess Michael Eisner can't find the time to do something about Westin or even Bill Maher, clearly the most mean-spirited face on television. Eisner is too busy building his fortune even larger while he shamelessly lets the Disney shareholders take a terrible and sustained beating.

And finally back to Ted Koppel:
"Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed,
That he is grown so great?"

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