Ashleigh Banfield Lashes out at Own Network [Attacks Savage, NBC Distances Themselves from Comments]

Reuters Wire ^ | April 28, 2003 | Andrew Grossman

[ewing]

NBC News correspondant Ashleigh Banfield has ripped television news networks, including her own, for their 'glorious' coverage of the Iraq war and lack of focus on international news overall.

In a speech Thursday at Kansas State University, she also attacked NBC News for hiring right wing radio talk show host Michael Savage to do a show on MSNBC. Savage recently called Banfield a 'slut' after her reports portraying the radical Arab point of view.

Banfield, who first won notoriety for her coverage from the World Trade Center on 9/11, might be in some trouble for her comments.

In a statement issued in Friday, NBC News said, 'Ms. Banfield does not speak for NBC News. We are deeply disappointed and troubled by her remarks, and will review her comments with her. In the meantime we want to emphasize how proud we are of the journalism produced by NBC News and of the men and women who worked around the clock, even risking their lives, to bring this story to the American public.'

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Is she on the outs? (hopefully)

[The Wizard]

another crusty supporter gets hammered ashley banfield was never a reporter, but a shove the mike in your face type who always seemed to want to PMS's Geraldo....without Geraldo's talents

[Stentor]

He's the Right's Michael Moore.

Haven't you something better to do like figure out how the left is going to get its income without its chief paymaster-Saddam.

[ewing]

Poor Ashley needs to go work for 60 Minutes II on See-BS, but she doesn't have the war slut credentials yet like Christianne 'get me to my 5 star hotel' Ammenpour..

[ewing]

Savages rants are politically incorrect and hilarious, just like Rush before he started playing golf.

[Servant of the Nine]

She is gonna learn that she isn't famous enough to get away with badmouthing her employer.
You gotta carry a lot more heft than a Geraldo to get away with it.

So9

[ewing]

Exactamundo, my friend..

[OldFriend]

Am surprised anyone would take Ashlee Banshee seriously.

[ewing]

LOL! Ashlee 'what color is my hair today depending on the story' Banshee

[aardvark1]

I think Ashley will become the Dixie Chicks press agent after NBC sends her packing. Isn't there an adage about "biting the hand that feeds you"?

[ewing]

Or she could cover Hollywood premieres for 'Extra'

[LanPB01]

Yeah, she's obviously not too bright. I still find her oddly arousing, though. I think she just needs some lovin' from a strong, conservative man to set her on the right course.

[bart99]

In a later part of the article she was blasted by Savage for her interviews with "martyrs". Her response was....

"Banfield said it was vital to present the Arabs' viewpoint because of a lack of understanding among them and Americans in what has driven them to such violence."

Not that Savage said about her was right, but...... she reminded me of Arnett's reporting in Baghdad..... making sure the americans understood the "Iraqi position". I liked Ashley, but...... she did exploit her own 'access' for some sensationalistic reporting. I'm not sure that was really 'objective'.

And...... Fox succeeded not just because they were 'conservative' and gung-ho, but because the others were so liberal THEY were not reporting fairly. We have choices on which channels to watch..... too bad ashley can't accept that.

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I just wish she could decide on one hair color!

[rintense]

I have never been a Savage fan. Never will. I lost any shred of respect for him when I saw him on Talk Back Live. Charles Barkley made more sense than Savage. It was embarrasing.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Count me another conservative who can't stand Michael Savage. The guy simply is neither funny nor interesting. It's like listening to a mean drunk.