Fox News Responds to Protestors outside NY studio

[olena]

When bracing for a New York demonstration aimed at media companies last Thursday, the self-described "fair and balanced" Fox News Channel targeted picketers with the scrolling news ticker, or "zipper," outside its headquarters. The sign's messages included "Does Anyone Here Have A Job?" and "The Cleverest Sign Wins A Week's Free Vacation ... To Baghdad" and a shot at the network's competition: "CNN Agrees With You. They're Two Blocks North And They Have Doughnuts!"

The lines were written by producer Marvin Himmelfarb, a former ad and sitcom writer whose chief task is keeping the information current while putting more zip in the zipper. He toned down the quips after the war started, but saw the protest as "a good chance to let loose," adding that no bosses in the building knew in advance what he was posting.

"That's my responsibility. I try to keep it in good taste."

A CNN spokesman was surprised by the lines, saying "At CNN we don't take positions and we don't cheerlead."

Alas, Himmelfarb missed his target. The "die-in," challenging what protesters contend is the media's pro-war slant, did indeed draw a crowd to Rockefeller Center, but they blocked 5th Avenue, a fair distance from Fox News, and a planned "direct action" on the channel didn't materialize.

Other lines:
"Who Won Your Freedom To Protest ... Protesters Or Soldiers?"
"War Protestor Auditions Here Today ... Thank You For Coming! Try To Look Scruffy"
"Attention Protestors: The Michael Moore Fan Club Meets On Thursdays At The Phone Booth On 6th And 50th"
"Yell As Loud As You Want; We're Still Not Hiring Phil Donahue."

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Those lines are priceless.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Mr. Himmelfarb showed a lack of judgment and maturity.

 

[Geoff_M]

One of the worst things an organization can do is takes itself too seriously. Good show Mr. Himmelfarb!

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Hahahahah those are some classic lines, give this guy a promotion!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

So much for fair and impartial press.

 

[Geoff_M]

Does being "fair and impartial" prohibit them from expressing an opinion? Free speech is a two way street.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

bu then again, isn't Fox the network that hired Geraldo?

 

[JimB.]

But it's OK for protestors to proclaim "we support our troops when they shoot their officers"................"

What goes around, comes around,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

if Mr. Himmelfarb wanted to parade down 5th avenue with a sign with all those slogans, more power to him. if you gentlemen wanted to join him, go for it. that's the beauty of freedom of speech.

but a news network --one that proclaims itself to be fair and impartial -- should not be engaged in such childish conduct. Mr. Himmelfarb was represenitng a news agency. they're there to report the news, not to make it.

they lose thier credibility with stunts like this.

 

[Geoff_M]

they lose thier credibility with stunts like this.

Me thinks thou dost protest too much on this one. One guy tweaking some people outside of one office building does not impune the credibility of an entire new gathering organization.

 

[jamsmom]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
Me thinks thou dost protest too much on this one. One guy tweaking some people outside of one office building does not impune the credibility of an entire new gathering organization.

Well said.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

you know,I'm suspecting "Hoax" here. Olena didn't post the source of the sotry so I did a little research.

I did a search and found two reports Linden report and

shoptalk

the Linden report actually links you to shoptalk. so in reality it's one report.

I didn't read this in any of the NYC newspapers. I didn't hear it on any local NYC tv station. I did hear lots of reports about the 100,000 people who marched through Times Square, and the smaller group that staged a"die-in" in front of the Today show a few days later (two separate events.)
incidentally
the source of this material is a "water cooler" for television journalists. I take "water cooler" stories with a grain of salt.

incidentally Fox News is actually located at 1211 Avenue Of The Americas, New York, NY 10036, not near Times Square. The "die in" was held on 5th Avenue, not 6th Avenue. yes, the building does have a "zipper".

 

[Keli]

I loved some of those lines!!!! They made me LOL!

 

[UncleKyle]

Those were great! I hope it's true The michael moore line is priceless!

 

[TinkHappy]

LOL!!! Good Stuff!!

 

[glo]

I hope it is true. Funny how freedom of speech can only pertain to one side, but as soon it is the otherside, there is a problem with it. Biased news comes from all the stations. CNN is not and MSNBC in my opinion are very Democratic in nature and report that way...should they not do that? Dan Rathers has made some comments on live TV that curl my hair, I guess he is biased, and he sure represent s a TV station. Please....this guy made light of the situation, had someone at one of the other stations done it, it would have been hyseterical to you, but of course you will claim otherwise

 

[poohandwendy]

"At CNN we don't take positions... "

Actually, I think this is the funniest line in the OP.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

My favorites...how true they are:

Originally posted by olena
"Does Anyone Here Have A Job?"
"Who Won Your Freedom To Protest ... Protesters Or Soldiers?"

 

[ennazus]

"Who Won Your Freedom To Protest ... Protesters Or Soldiers?"

That says it all!!