MSNBC bails on Mumbai. Obama steps up on ABC
Millions of Americans might have gone into Thanksgiving mode after work Wednesday, but the news certainly took no holiday. Here's a snapshot of the TV news landscape Wednesday night.
The terrorist attack in India continued with more than 100 dead and an undetermined number held hostage. And MSNBC mostly ignored the huge story throughout prime time for silly lists and sophomoric jokes from Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow.
Meanwhile, on ABC, President-elect Barack Obama, the man who said there can only be one president at a time, all but acknowledged that he is stepping in to try and fill the void left by George W. Bush -- who seemed again to be highly distracted at a time of great crisis in the economy. ABC newswoman Barbara Walters, who interviewed the president and his wife, Michelle, spoke of Obama in her introduction as forced to run a kind of parallel presidency rather than the normal transition operation because of the extreme "lame duck" status of Bush.
Let’s start with the terrorist attack. Breaking news on a holiday often offers the best look into a media organization. With many workers on holiday, you quickly see what kind of depth a news organization has -- or doesn't have. And by their commitment -- or lack of it -- to coverage, you can gauge their priorities.
The Fox News channel does not have anywhere near the worldwide on-staff resources that CNN International does, but it plugged into NDTV (New Delhi Television) for some excellent coverage and images of the early and ongoing attacks. Don't get too excited about Fox's performance, though, by 10 p.m. it was airing a rerun of Greta Van Susteren's softball interview with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
CNN was all over the story, and you could feel its strength build as staffers came back to work and joined in. CNN International had much help in terms of imagery from sister channel IBN (India Broadcast News). CNN stayed on the case throughout the night.
But on MSNBC, no real coverage -- nothing except a brief mention and discussion at the anchor desk in New York. Isn't this a great way to cut reporting costs -- just stop doing it. And then for the vast majority of the broadcast, it's back to the same anti-Bush jokes and banter from Olbermann and Maddow that you get every night. And the sister channel to NBC never even tried to cover the carnage in Mumbai. You might think after punting from 8 to 10 p.m., that MSNBC would at least make an effort at 10 instead of airing a rerun of Olbermann, but not Wednesday night.
Don’t tell me it doesn’t matter that MSNBC embraced ideological propaganda instead of news and information when it handed over the keys to prime time to Olbermann and Maddow. If the terrorist attacks in India don’t warrant coverage on MSNBC in prime time, than nothing short of another 9/11 is likely to stop Olbermann and Maddow from their partisan game playing at what used to a respected anchor desk.
But hard news was not the only news being made on TV Wednesday night. It is remarkable the way Obama is using TV to provide leadership even though he is still 55 days away from taking office. Even more remarkable is the way TV persons like Walters are now talking openly, as she did in her set up, about the need for Obama to do so in light of Bush’s lack of leadership and focus at this dark time in American life.
When Walters asked Obama what his "biggest fear" was, Obama said "there are a lot of things that keep me up at night."
"One of the concerns I have is that the economy is so weakened that the next 60 days are going to be difficult because we've got a president who, even though he may mean well, is now sort of in lame-duck status [and] Congress isn't in [session]," Obama said. "And I don't have the reins of power."
Obama said that he and his team of economic advisers would carefully review the way the Bush administration distributes bailout funds to Wall Street banks seeking emergency assistance and he will do whatever it takes to make his feelings known if he disagrees with Bush’s actions.
Make no mistake; he was issuing a warning in the direction of Bush, even as Walters wondered aloud how the nation would get through the next 55 days with such a distracted leader in the White House.
Once again, listening to Barack and Michelle Obama was like a tonic to soothe the nerves. But Wednesday night, instead of turning off the TV and going to bed reassured, one couldn’t help but take another look at the horror in Mumbai – and feel the jitters of the times in which we now live rise up once again threatening any sense of holiday repose.
(Above: AP Photo of the wreckage in Mumbai by Anshuman Poyrekar of The Hindustan Times.)
Comments
You may well have a point about MSNBC's coverage of the Mumbai shootings. However, I feel your credibility is lacking due to the partisan complaining nature of this post and posts previous.
Your posts are much stronger when you avoid politics.
Posted by: Sigh | November 27, 2008 1:20 AM
Bush is missing in action? How do YOU know what he is doing? How do you know what talks are happening behind the scenes? If Obama is sooo great, why did this attack happen in the first place? No, you don't need to answer that. The facts are you love Obama and his stage presence. He makes you feel warm and safe. You can't wait until he takes office and then you will expect him to be as wonderful then as he is now. Maybe it will work out that way. I hope so too.
But talking when you aren't responsible is easy. Once the responsibility is in your hands it might be a completely different story.
But back to the first point about Bush being missing in action. Let me get this straight. When the financial crisis hit the fan McCain was considered shril because he was too reactionary while Obama kept a low profile for a couple days and was considered responsible. But when Bush doesn't say whatever it is you want to hear within the first 7 hours as of this writing, he is considered MIA.
It will be fun when Bush does respond to see what you pick out of it to Bash!
Patience Z, Patience.....Mr Wonderful will be officially in charge in about 7 weeks and I imagine the inaugaration will be like an IBM commercial. You know, the one where the cartoon wildlife will come out of everywhere and everything will be beautiful.
Hi Shannondoodle. I didn't think about the cartoon wildlife part. That's even more exciting. Will the cartoon widlife sing happy songs? Now I really can't wait. (Seriously, that is a very funny wisecrack. I am laughing in spite of the shot it was intended to fire. Z
Posted by: shannondoodle | November 27, 2008 2:38 AM
I think you must have missed the first 10 minutes of the Rachel Maddow Show... she discussed the situation and interviewed NBC's foreign correspondent. She absolutely never made a joke - her tone was quite serious.
Posted by: Liz | November 27, 2008 1:03 PM
Admit it Z. You are going to miss Bush. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Shannondoodle, Thanks for the happy wishes. I hope you had a good day as well. I thought of you yesterday as I was out walking one of my dogs. Here's the thought: That Shannodoodle is very funny and super smart. She makes this blog a million times better with her wisecracks about my politics. She has a brilliant sense of humor. Now if only she was not the opposition voice in this conversation... And then a giant German Shepherd jumped out of a bush and barked at us, and I went back to concentrating on survival. But, seriously, thank you for your witty comments, insights and barbs. The barbs are the best. They really elevate the conversation. Here let me say it like a good fourth grader: I am thankful that Shannondoodle reads and comments on this blog -- even though we disagree on a million things. (I had to add the last part). On Bush, I was working in Texas when he was governor. I believe I have had all the Bush I can stand At least, that's the thought for today. We'll see how I feel Jan. 21st. Seriously, thanks, Shannondoodle. PS I just saw you have a fan -- a way-to-go was posted to you for attacking Z. Oh lord, I see more barbs headed my way. Do see a posse forming around Shannondoodle? Ayiiii, there's a scary throught -- a posse headed by Shannondoddle coming after Z of the new blog frontier. I'm scaring myself now. Bye. Z
Posted by: shannondoodle | November 27, 2008 1:20 PM
Dammit, that's just not true. Olbermann talked about Mumbai often during the last hour, and Maddow led off with the story. When were you watching?
Posted by: Charity | November 27, 2008 1:23 PM
Not sure what you mean by MSNBC ignoring the Mumbai attacks. Points of clarification:
I missed the 8 pm showing of Countdown last night so I can't speak for Olbermann, but I did see that Rachel Maddow covered the Mumbai story. In fact, she opened with the news of the attacks on her show. Granted, the transitions from one clip or sound bite from Mumbai were very clumsy, but the story was covered, nonetheless.
Also, during the second showing of Countdown at 10 pm, they cut to David Shuster discussing the Mumbai attacks. I, however, didn't stay on MSNBC long enough to comment on the quality of coverage.
Posted by: JR | November 27, 2008 2:09 PM
Rachel Maddow covered Mumbai in the first segment of her show.
Your bias is showing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#27934105
Hi katie, I mean coverage, not someone chattijng aboput it at an anchor desk in New York for 10 minutes. My ggodness, is that what passes for coverageof an event of this magnitude. No way. In fact, based on that kind of performance, I think critics like me shoudl quit referring to MSNBC as a all-news or 24-hour news channel. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Katie | November 27, 2008 2:24 PM
Oh my goodness, what's this? Why, it's the India terrorist coverage from MSNBC primetime last night.
Rachel Maddow
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/27934105#27934105
Keith Olbermann
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27933692#27933692
Hi, If you call that coverage, you need to pay more attentiion to CNN. What a great way to cut costs -- not have anyone actually report the story -- just have the windbags talk about it over pictures at what used to be an anchor desk. The partisan love ofideologue hosts fdistorts all. Z
Posted by: MontyCello | November 27, 2008 2:34 PM
At least we got you to edit your story from "completely ignored" to "mostly ignored". The coverage (and, yes, I would call it that) might not have been as much as you wanted but it did exist. To say differently would be a lie. Thank you for correcting yourself.
The partisan love ofideologue hosts fdistorts all.
Sure can't argue with that.
Posted by: MontyCello | November 27, 2008 3:23 PM
The fact that the news appeared to seldom go into details about the Mumbai hostage situation is scary, considering that we live in an age of "terrorism" so to speak.
Posted by: Agent Cooper | November 27, 2008 4:21 PM
Attaboy on SHANNONDOODLE! I'm amazed that people can see inside the whitehouse and knows what President Bush thinks or does. One minute he's too quick on the draw and in a blink of an eye, he's "Lame duck". I know that Z must be a genius, another regular Kieth Olbermann, you know thesports caster who is soooo smart. It is so easy to diss Bush. I wonder how many of you liberal genius can fly a jet fighter? Or would even ride in one when it is landing on a carrier! Now, I am a former serviceman as were my brothers, all involved with flying. I wouldn't fly with someone stupid, in fact I never met a military pilot who was stupid. Oh, and did I mention President Bush flew jet fighters? I don't care who you are, you don't fly jets in military if you stupid OR inept. Of course you Obamacrats have such a couragous man elected! I mean learning his politics on the south side of Chicago, his extensive excutive experience, his long tenure in the Senate! I'm sure that took/takes a lot of courage. I only hope he does no more damage as president than this Congress has. Hey, how about those first 100 days! If Obama does as well as the Democrat Congress has? we ought to be OK otherwise God help us!
Posted by: Joe Winkelmann | November 27, 2008 5:14 PM
Hi David - you did a great job beating me to that "60 Minutes #1 2 weeks in a row" story. It is all about the hard news. However, I have to point out that in the Hardball repeat hour MSN chose to go live instead and pretty much reported the story up until there wasn't a lot more to say. So KO and Maddow should be put in that context. We all know MSN has a tiny newsroom but when things like this hit it seems NBC is more than happy to fill the void. Feel free to refer to them as news-talk, though.
Hi Aaron, Thanks. And in terms of being first, you were out here first with what is still one of the best TV blogs there will probably ever be. In fact, I like your blog so much, I am almost willing to forgive you for being party to a certain TV producer's attacks on me a few months ago because I didn't like the finale season on his TV series (i'm kidding -- about the forgiving, not the attacks). But, seriously, on this issue, how can you give MSNBC a pass on the 8 and 9 p.m. hours? Don't you think their subject matter and their flip approach through 90 percent of the shows were totally inapprorpriate -- as well as a clear indication of how much they have shifted away from news to entertainment? And I would really have to disagree with you that they covered Mumbai at 10 until there was nothing left to cover. At 11 p.m., there was a world of stuff to cover -- they just didn't have the resources or the will, as far as I can tell. CNN was still going strong at 1 a.m., when I turned it off. And I think you are giving MSNBC another pass with the "news-talk" label. I think I am going to start referring to them as the "used-to-be-news" channel. Anyway, at least two of us are working on the holiday. It is good to hear fro myou. Happy holiday season. But, please, to me, what's going on at MSNBC is a big deal in terms of moving away from news. We are down to one all-news channel that presents information you can count on, and that is not a healthy situation in these troubled times. We don't need more entertainment (Olbermann and Maddow), we need more and better information. PS As entertainers, I really like both Maddow and Olbermann. I watch them a lot and enjoy them. And the irony isn't lost on me either. Z
Posted by: Aaron Barnhart | November 27, 2008 6:32 PM
Listen up. The attack was spectacular but since the last one was in 2006 and not covered anywhere near the depth of this one, I couldn't help but wonder the reason why. So far we know fewer people were killed and injured. The Taj is important but damage to it was not really discussed very much. After watching about 15 minutes of coverage, I had more than enough of the story and was grateful that I could watch my two favorite MSNBC shows.
Posted by: oyoung54 | November 27, 2008 10:13 PM
I think you're in the minority, Mr. Zurawik; most people appreciate broadcasters telling us what they know about a serious story and then updating us when there are new developments. News is not "breaking" every second.
But even on MSNBC, before the primetime shows started, the network kept repeating the same information over and over. This gives a false impression -- that there's more to tell when there really isn't. Plus, you know, all the other issues on viewers' minds don't go away when an appalling act is committed somewhere in the world; issues like the economy and health care and our two wars still exist for the people who watch the news and depend on newsgatherers for information on all important topics.
You need to remind yourself that if you're sitting in your living room in Omaha, your chances of getting attacked by East Indian terrorists is way less than your chances of being foreclosed on; so I, for one, am foursquare behind networks that are able to strike some reasonable balance between thorough coverage of the latest criminal outrage -- and just plain out-and-out sensationalism and overkill.
Posted by: Laurie | November 27, 2008 11:01 PM
The situation in Mumbai was the lead story on Maddow's show. It was far more than a brief mention, and indicating otherwise amounts to a lie. If you want to criticize the content of the coverage, go for it, but why lie about it?
Posted by: Ashley Bryant | November 28, 2008 1:21 AM
I personally get very tired of seeing the same images over and over and over again. any "breaking" coverage would obviously be covered but there actually IS other news and information to talk about. Do you really believe that just b/c a news organization shows nothing BUT a story like the Indian terrorist attack they're better? 24/7 news shows are bad enough.....but to show only ONE thing 24/7 is worse.
Posted by: Rhettab | November 28, 2008 6:45 AM
Rachel Maddow's show covered the attack for the first 12 minutes of her show before she went to "regularly scheduled" status. There was nothing new to report in the next 48 minutes or she would've broken in. The "silly list" was about people indicted in the Bush Administration which you don't deem as news worthy apparently. Your bias is shining through. Talk about sophomoric journalism.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 28, 2008 10:50 AM
When I was watching, I was contrasting the non-stop coverage on Keith's show (Rachel was not yet on the air) when Tim Russert died. Which story was actually more important? (And I beg to differ about MSNBC being the left's answer to Fox -- Joe Scarborough has 3 hours in the morning that are from the other side.)
Posted by: Russ Skinner | November 28, 2008 3:31 PM
Personally, I love Olbermann's and Maddow's shows. Its the only thing to watch on MSNBC.
But the author is right that MSNBC is the last place for breaking news. CNN puts all these guys to shame when it comes to actually reporting events happening in the world.
Its not just this story, it is every day on MSNBC...counting re-runs there is 9 hours a day of Matthews/KO/Maddow. Throw in 3 of Morning JO. Throw in 4 or 5 hours of Lockup/Predator and how many hours of news is there really on MSNBC?
MSNBC's idea of 'reporting' is getting a leak from a Washington source or embedding a reporter with a campaign. Precious few reporters on the ground reporting what is going on outside the political world.
First place for politics maybe but the last place for news.
Posted by: Trevorj | December 1, 2008 12:47 PM