It took him a long time, but CNN President Jon Klein finally got around to doing what he should have done a long time ago. In order to maintain the professed trademark of his network for objectivity in broadcasting, he realized he had no choice but to fire Lou Dobbs.
Of course, cautious as he is, Klein did not fire the anti-immigration crusader directly, or even alone. He threw Dobbs overboard as part of a vendetta against radio talk-show hosts in general.
As first reported on the Website TVNewser.com, in a conference call on Aug. 11, Klein told his producers they should no longer book radio talk-show hosts on CNN shows: not on “The Situation Room,” nor Larry King, Anderson Cooper or Campbell Brown. From now on, said his edict, no radio talkers will appear on CNN. Period.
Why? Because, argued Klein, radio talk-show hosts are incapable of understanding or commenting on the important issues of the day. “Complex issues require world-class reporting,” sniffed Klein. Not only that, TVNewser.com quotes Klein as complaining that radio hosts too often do nothing more than “contribute to the noise,” and their comments are “all too predictable.”
[More]
Notes:
Call me surprised. I knew there was something I liked about Lou and now I know I was right.
This decision by Klein is the most glaring/blatant up front proof for citizens that freedom of speech and expression is being quashed at an unprecedented level. The premier democracy, a world standard, bashed by a media mogul whose missing some link.
There’s an online protest petition and it’s no doubt going to rachet up numbers in the millions. The media’s total control of the reins of the public is, at this point, breathtaking in unadulterated nerve.
Trashing talk show hosts where public commentary happens everyday as “contributing to the noise” is something else indeed. What they’re saying to citizens is clearly, SHUT UP.”
Lou Dobbs presents a threat now only because he’s part of the “truth of matters will out.”
He was fired from cnn once before and come back. CNN went off my radar after the Sarah smear. I expect Lou to turn up on Fox, so I can watch him again.
How many ex cnners are on Fox. Why were they all fired from cnn.
Lou’s anti-government and anti-immigration screeds are better suited to FOX. He’s virtually shouting much of the time anyway. That said, who knows why CNN doesn’t want a piece of this market.
I don’t get Fox News on my current cable package. I just told my wife that I want that changed. CNN without Lou is something I can’t envision and if he isn’t on tonight at 7:00 pm EDT I’m gone. He’s the only reason I bother to watch it (Blitzer drives me nuts).
And Klein is brain dead. Maybe Ted Turner will arrive at the same conclusion and it won’t be Lou heading out the door.
Too many shouting, talking heads. They all think they have all the answers and for the most part they preach to the converted. You better off watching re runs of All in the Family.
Don’t waste you money Jack.
Jack, you do not have Fox news? No O’reilly, Hannity, Beck? Man, how come? It is the only US news channel worth listening to for clear thinking people.
E.J. — you’re driving Larry nuts. I’m working on it. For now I follow Fox through the net but that wil soon change.
I have consulted the entrails of a goat and they tell me that Larry is suspect. All in the Family indeed!!! Now Bonanza or Wanted Dead or Alive maybe, but All in the Family. Suspect I tell you, Suspect!! I’ve got to go now, the people are here with my medications.
Get Fox!! You won’t regret it, other than the regret that Canada has nothing like it.
Pat
If you can get Shaw Cable, you can get Fox. Not sure Shaw is available to the Qu-Ons, though.
Best $7.95 per month spend on the digital dial – just to get Fox News
Lou was still on tonight and advertising his radio show. I just finished watching him.
So much for that I guess.
Jack.
You must watch Bill O’Reilly at 8:00pm. I have read a couple of his books and have GREAT respect for the man. You want be disapointed!!!
Jack, the article was written by Bill Press, who is as close to a commie as one can get. The idea of Lou getting fired was just wishful writing on Press’s part.
So who is qualified to speak? Only Harvard grads and academia? The great unwashed should not have opinions only pay taxes – because WE (as in the Royal WE) are the arbitrators of truth. What a load, this means anyone with a college degree can apply, the rest shutup and move out of the way to paraphrase the POTUS! Cheers.
I cancelled by subscription which carried Fox as I dont need to listen to O’Reilly bad mouth Canada, being ignorant to those hes interviewing and obviously doesnt do his ‘homework’ on many issues.
In my humble opinion, he represents the worse of American culture – a bully of the first degree.
…Communist News Network? So articulate, so precise with the border issues and his sincerity went a long way. So long Lou…hope to see you at Fox! It’s a shame CNN could not deal with your honesty and truth. They’d rather be politically correct than deal with reality. Maybe their ratings in places like North Korea and Tehran will go up.
Finally, CNN got a pair and fired Dobbs. He needs to go to Fox where he fits right in that mix. CNN is still slanted however. Dobbs was just so over the top that it made CNN look too slanted.
Lou was the only reason we would turn on CNN anymore. Just another Obama licking stn. now. Hope he goes to FOX NEWS.
Time for Lou Dobbs to leave….he rants on and on and does not give his guest a chance to speak especially if they do not agree with him. He is a negative man.
Like Arnold use to say “I’ll be back”
Pingback: Jack's Newswatch » Blog Archive » Lou Dobbs Abruptly Quits CNN (3 – bumped)
I have watched CNN since it’s inception. In the past Lou Dobbs was one of the shows that I liked. But he seemed to go off the deep end a few years ago with his rants about immagration, ( and his wife and kids are Mexican ).
Questioning the President’s birth certificate, and many other crazy unfounded stories he’s done. Facts are Facts and when a personality ignores the facts and goes his own way, he no longer is a newsman but a windbag.
I say good riddance to him and I won’t miss him at all. I am surprised it took so long for CNN to get rid of him. I’m sure FOX will take him with opened arms to go along with the rest of thier fanatics and windbags.
“Advocacy journalism” is not journalism. In the Dobbs instance, it is a contrived term to allow him to voice his non-objective opinion, boost his ego and pander to a base element of society who appear to be incapable of thinking and forming their own opinions. It is also little more than entertainment where viewers wish to hear like-minded individuals like Mr Dobbs, express their views. It is a form of group think which falls into a viewer comfort zone.
Lou Dobbs started his career in journalism (in the true sense) and was successful doing this. Having a balanced discussion and challenging issues can be healthy and constructive, however, that also, is not journalism. Mr Dobbs has stepped over the line on several occasions, left CNN, then returned, and departed once more. It is time for Lou to find a future career, possibly in an area of the ‘news media’ who offer little news and with ‘programming’ composed of the personal rants of anchors.
Can we get back to quality journalism now?
Wheres does one go, Carl? Its getting harder and harder to find quality journalism. I guess it just doesnt sell any more.
Its like they say ‘if it bleeds, it leads.’