Z, you said it before like the Nixon administration. Obviously from the interview you are not the only one that thinks that.

Great job on the interview. Keeping the position you have held all along.

I can't believe this development of trying to keep FOX out. That is really going absolutely too far. I am glad that the others stood up for FOX. That shows something good is happening with the cable channels. I agree this is a good thing. Like the interview said that was a good move in solidarity for the press.

The fact that this administration is trying to muzzle any press is a clear indication of how they view the constitution. Not only are they complaining and whining about the coverage, they have more importantly failed to even try to rebut the stories factually. They are reduced to ad hominem attacks and censorship. If this continues the Constitution is going to fall by the wayside and America as we know and love it will cease to exist. This is the worst administration since Carter. Our rights are slipping away, because "They" no better, and we're letting it happen.

Thank You CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN. For standing up for free press.

To your questions:
1. I think the White House was dumb to try to cut the Fox News person from the press pool, and I think that, having made their point that Fox News is an opinion, not a news, organization, they should step back and "cool it." For example, President Obama nicely deflected a question on the "war" with Fox News on NBC yesterday, I think it was.
2. I think you overreacted.
3. Charles Krauthammer's use of the "demonizing" label is, I think, an effort to tar his opposition with what he and his political soulmates are doing, i.e., demonizing the Obama administration. The Nixon war on the press was, if I remember correctily, conducted in secret, as far as the public was concerned. This White House is trying to win public support for policies which it believes the country desparately needs and is publicly refuting the lies being spread by its opponents. Nixon came across as hating his opponents; Obama doesn't have time for that. One other note: I am reading "The Audacity of Hope," and am struck by the contrast between Obama's vision of bipartisanship before the election and the gutter partisanship, fed by the internet and some media outlets, that exists in Washington today.

No..the obvious problem is that Fox News is a right wing propaganda arm and has been disparaging the President. Fox commentators have called the President a "racist", a "marxist, a "liar" and a "socialist." ALL SLANDEROUS lies. ABC and the other stations were stupid to not support the WH in this. Instead that stood with Fox as if it were legitimate. But it is not. I suppose all "brothers and sisters: in journalism have this thing. Yet...Fox slandered the President and constantly attacks him. The President and the WH have every right to treat them differently and they are exactly correct. Fox is the Faux News of liars and bigots.

Anyone who thinks Faux News is in the same league as CNN, ABC, CBS, and MSNBC knows nothing about news or politics. I am very disappointed that the journalist stood up for Fox and bit the hand that feeds them. Yet Americans are not stupid and see what's going on. The Public should boycott all of them. They all suck. The major News outlets went passive when Bush abused executive powers and when Bush eroded our civil liberties. Journalists are wimps.

The White House attacks Fox for being a tool of the Republican party but nowhere do they thank MSNBC for being a tool of the Democratic Party. How very ungrateful of them!

You might want to choose someone with some integrity to back up your arguments. What did Krauthammer have to say when Bush Whitehouse spokesman Ari Fleischer told "all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do."

Krauthammer was a major supporter of the Bush administration and their practice of isolating and attacking the press and people who were in their way. Bush adminstration officials went to jail for doing that very thing in the Plame case. So no, Krauthammer is not in the least persuasive. No one is alleging that the Obama administration is engaged in any of the criminal activity that Bush and Nixon administration officials were convicted of.

You can argue that the Nixon and Bush administrations are examples of how destructive attacking the press can be, but then you have to explain why FDR's, or Reagan's, etc. etc. use of the same tactics was so successful. Attacking the press was not Nixon's crime, illegally using the IRS and the CIA for political purposes was his crime.

Krauthammer doesn't need me to defend him. He is one of our finest thinkers. And you ought to check out his resume and some of the nation's most prestigious awards that are on it. Better yet, try listening to him once otr twice as he makes an argument. Z

The freedom of speech is not just about expressing what you want to express, it also means hearing opinions which you loath. Leaving aside the fact that a news organization should NEVER be restricted access to our govt officials, it is in fact our responsibility to question our elected officials. How about the administration step up and admit that Fox did a good job fact checking, and express their intention to not let administration officials speak about facts that they make up on the spot. Fact checking is responsible reporting, just because more liberal media outlets don't do it, does not mean it shouldn't be done!

Every White House plays favorites with the press they like,and that is fine,but trying to ban a White House pool reporter has to be a first.That is a scary. Whats next? taking away Foxs press credentials all together. Im surprised Obama even knows what going on with all the fundraisers he has been to so far!

I thought Obama and his team were the smartest people in the world. If so, why are they not countering FOX with their brilliant debating points instead of trying to stiffle them with sophomoric tactics? The administration has all the ineptitute of Jimmy Carter but on steroids. In fact, Obama is playing with our Constitutional freedoms much more than it was alleged of Bush. In the coming months Obama is going to compound our miseries with a complex health care bill that won't work, Cap and Trade legislation that will be costly, further spending that will trash the dollar and perhaps signing a climate treaty that will eliminate many of the sovereign powers of the Constitution. So, while the country is imploding, his priorities are to pick a fight with FOX. Brilliant!!!

Hi Jeff, I felt the same way about once thinking this is such a smart administration -- a millennial version of JFK's "best and brightest." But so far, yikes. Especially this silly, petty, but mounting war on Fox with such serious implications for press freedom. And, yes, all the while major problems get worse. Please scroll back to my posts on Monday about all the high-priced White House talent hitting Sunday morning talk shows to trash Fox while millions are out of work and in need of some support or at least encouragement from the White House. Thanks. Z

As of 9:32am I still have not seen a report on FoxNews.com on this.I thought they would have it the headline story. Are they laying low for some reason?

Hi Bill,

This video is actually part of the story that aired Thursday night on Fox's "Special Report" and Sheperd Smith's newscast. So, Fox already aired this last night. And I actually got this video from the Fox Web site. Thanks. Z

Why FOX doesn't present the news like CNN does ? I never heard Wolf Blizer airing his opinions .His just giving the news ,plain and simple !!!

I agree on CNN as a role model and have written that often. But there is a difference between the Fox News shows at 6 and 7 p.m. versus O'reilly, Hannity and Van Susteren's opinion shows. Even CNN has problems on the "opinion" front with Lou Dobbs. Thanks. Z

I have a bit of a renewed optimism that the "POOL" stuck together. That is "american" in my book.

This is wild. Obama hasn't even been in office a year. I am starting to come to a conclusion that although democratic on principal I want to see this administration & President out of office come the next go around.

Obama ran on "change, openess, & transparency". He must have left those words at the door when he was elected. He makes me believe people will say anything they want to get elected, then push their own agenda once they get what they want.

You did great Z. I think you are an excellent example of a journalist who does your job professionally, verifies facts, and is not afraid to stick up for the very basic freedoms we are allowed in America. Freedom of speech being one of those.

Maybe Foxnews can see that now. Maybe Oreilly will someday eat the "Planet Bizzaro" comment.

I actually did not vote for Obama, but I was willing to give him a chance, he seemed to have some new ideas and seems very articulate. Lately, however, I cannot get a feel for where we are headed with this administration. All of the limits that are being imposed by the WH administration, the comments from Anita Dunn and now this problem with trying to exclude FOX bothers me.

The lady on the panel (Mara ?) who said access is not the same as free speech. Access is the same as free speech in my opinion. If one particular channel is not allowed access then that is a disruption of free speech. That news channel no longer has free access to the government. How can this not limit free speech?

I'm not sure if Krauthammer is for President Obama or not, but I had to agree with his assessment. Maybe we are all wondering where we are headed as opposed to where we started.

Z, at first I was skeptical about the level to which the Obama administration was going after Fox. After hearing about what shenanigans the Treasury Department tried to pull on Tuesday by barring Fox, I can say that I am now a firm believer that this administration takes issue with the press. Even the NYTimes seemed to be sticking up for Fox, which is something I thought I would never see.

I also took the time to watch larger swaths of Robert Gibbs's daily interactions with the press, and he seems to carry a level of hauteur that I haven't seen in a press secretary for a while. Yikes.

The White House did not declare war on Fox News. Rather, FNC declared war on Obama long before he was inaugurated by perpetuating myths of attending Muslim madrassas and creating terms like "terrorist fist bump" just to mention a couple. FNC exists as a megaphone that distorts every initiative undertaken by the administration. I applaud the push back.

When I see that quote on the bottom of the news page "Obama not losing sleep over Fox news" I just have one thing to say Mr. President.

You best start losing some sleep over some Americans who are not going to sit by and support what you are doing in your administration messing with the fundamental freedoms this country is based on.

I never have been a big Foxnews follower in the least. I do think though I can stomach Shephard Smith so I just might start watching some of his nightly news shows.

Thank you Mr. Zurawik. I was starting to wonder if there were any rational Progressive voices left in America until you spoke out on this issue. But where are the others?

ABC's Jake Tapper has questioned the administration on it, as has NBC's Savannah Guthrie. Howard Kurtz, of the Washington Post, conducted the interview with Anita Dunn on his CNN "Reliable Sources" show that really flushed the campaign against Fox fully out into the open. So, there has been some engagement. But you are right in your larger point: There should be more. You don't have to defend Fox, just the principle of the executive branch not ordering, threatening and bullying the press. And I am dismayed by the silence of many of my colleagues. Thanks. Z

Z,

This is a great article regarding freedom of press. Fox News is the right wing of government, everyone should know that and if they watch this is what should be expected. I don't like their pundits at all, in fact Glenn Beck is causing more harm than good, so I don't watch. I know people that believe everything that comes out of his mouth and Hannity and Limbaugh's each of these blow hards are there to stir the pot. I do believe that journalism has lost some of it's credibiilty because of the pundits, not just on Fox News, on all cable channels , that is the part that bothers me the most. What happened to the days when news was reported with the facts, who didn't trust Walter Cronkite? I think back to the days of what journalism was and now has become, I still think that as a country we still should pay the President of the United States respect, even if you didn't vote for him or agree with everything we still owe him respect. I don't agree with waging a war on Fox, in my opinion it's bringing more attention to Fox News which is what they want, more viewers more ad dollars.
I agree 100% with freedom of press, however I also believe that the press should not take advantage of their power to show disrespect to our highest office. What happened to " the facts mam just the facts?" I guess we need the internet more and more and turn our TV's off to determine what is real and what is not... I think everyone should check the website politifact and then they can determine what is real and what is not!!!

Bravo to ABC, NBC, CBS & CNN for standing up for the freedom of the press. What effects FOX today may affect you tomorrow. Your solidarity sent a huge message to the White House and a feeling of hope to the American people that we still are a democracy!

Krauthammer,
very good article....

If some one calls me a liar I tend to call them on it.
If the Fox crew is getting on the Administration then simpley call them on it; on other channels if need be. Who I hope FACT checks the rebutal.
The other Networks need to wake up; the Love and ROMANCE FROM ELECTION TIME IS FADING FAST. So are the vewiers who followed the cock and bull some of the networks were pushing. OR one or two of them might be next if they donot tow the line.
Truth is what we need, it can be tarnished, but out right lying and getting caught.
The Administration needs some new advisors who's skin are not so thin me thinks. And who may see the value of not miss leading the public..
You cannot please everyone, but you do not have the right to shut them up NOT YET!
MAO!
I personally would not quote MAO, Hitler, Stalin nor Napolean unless it was in a negative vein.
On end us peons pay the taxes!!

John

First amendment of the US Constitution: Freedom of expression consists of, among other things, the right to the freedom of press. The government cannot censor, nor monopolize press. Express, express, express - that's what it's all about!
"Protest long enough that you are right, and you will be wrong." ~ Yiddish ~

Z,

I have a question for you regarding all of this...what do you define as a news organization? Fox News has become the arm of the GOP and have also put together tea parties, and stated many mistruths regarding polices. They have also asked for people to contact senators regarding legislation and have consistently dismissed the POTUS. In my opinion a true journalist should be unbiased when reporting news and giving all of the information to their audience while allowing them to make their own decision to agree or disagree. Websters Dictionary defines journalism as " 2 a. writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b. writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt of interpretation"
I agree with freedom of the press and that journalists should always receive this freedom. In the definition as stated above is Fox News being a journalist or are they the right arm of the GOP? I also can say this about MSNBC and CNN...what do you think we should expect from our "journalists"

Beth Im not sure just relying on the internet is the answer,in fact you might get more confused with all the blogs and such. Most media outlets have a slant on a topic,thats why its important to view as much as you can from all sides then make up your own mind. Im still amazed how many people judge network news based on the opinion shows at night. It makes no sense. I would love to have everyone that bashes whatever network ,sit in front of three tvs from 9am to 7pm and watch FOX,CNN,MSNBC and take notes on what they are all covering. In my opinion they all hit on most of the same topics.

What I think is funny is that the WH and the nutty liberals posting here cannot tell the difference between the Commentator shows like O'Reily, Beck, and Hannity and the reporting of the news. The news reporting as it is on CNN and maybe MSNBC is the same. The commentary is different. The commentators are not presenting news. They are presenting opinions. So, the WH nor the liberals posting here do not like what the Fox commentators are saying and they are "biased."

The last time I checked, Maddow and the pompous Olbermann, or the loud Matthews are extremely Liberal and usually end up sucking up to this President or disparaging the last President. I don't hear the WH or Liberals claiming anything negative about MSNBC or banning them due to bias. Oh yeah. I forgot. When the bias praises Socialist agendas and sets up this President as the Messiah, then it ok. Show that the President is the Emperor without Clothes and it is Katy bar the door!

You should rename your blog " Z on Politics and Bad TV".

Both ahve enormous influence on our culture and our lives, and fit perfectly with the larger mission statement of this blog. Z

obama admistration is the biggest bunch of crybabies i have ever seen in the political arena.

This tactic of allowing only reporters whom the WH deems fit to participate reminds me of the stacked audiences used in info-mercials. An important precept of democracy is an informed electorate and vigorous debate. If people expressing opposing views are excluded then you are left with a dictatorship.

A previous comment in the blog had stated the following:

"I am very disappointed that the journalist stood up for Fox and bit the hand that feeds them."

I would not appreciate being "fed" by the White House. The reporters should be asking the tough questions and not being "fed" a line by an administration.
This statement shows a level of viewer complacence that aids the creation of a successful propaganda machine.

Mom,

I think we should expect the TRUTH from journalists and no less. Fact checking is a great place to start. FOX has some good journalists, I like Shepard Smith. CNN has good journalists, Wolf Blitzer an example. MSNBC bothers me, but I can sort out the opinion and make my own decisions. We should never be ashamed of the truth and the WH needs to be open to all news channels.

Well said, Sherry. Thanks. Z

Sherry,

That is absolutely my point. I truly believe that all journalists, including all of our cable news shows need to present the truth and allow the public to determine their own choice on fact. What I am finding so sad is that the pundits on all cable news shows are not truthful and that is undermining journalism and news as a whole. Remove the pundits from the channels and stop the "shock" factor and go back to reporting news. This would be an interesting experiment for a week in our current culture!!!

Hi Mom, I went back and re-read your post, and see that is indeed what you are saying. I think you and Sherry are in agreement. And that would be a terffic experiment! Thanks. Z

Robert...let me break all this down for you, respectfully of course. 1) Fox News is a right wing propaganda arm in the same ways that ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN are left wing propaganda arms. Both sides deserve a voice. You wouldn't want a Republican to boycott all those networks now would you? 2) Although I wouldn't call Obama himself a racist, I would use that word to describe many people in his administration. They use the race card more than any powerful group of people I've ever payed attention to. Anyone who disagrees with their policy is branded a racist...which is itself extremely racist. 3) Marxism and Socialism are fairly similar, with Marxism being more on the extreme side, so I'll wrap these into one. The basic foundation of these philosophies is a government run society. Nobody can argue that Obama doesn't want some form of government oversight in every aspect of American life! Nobody!! Now sure, "Marxist" may be a bit overdramatic...but it's simply being used to get the listeners attention. And "Socialist" is absolutely in the rhealm of Obama's thought process. Look at the definition of Socialism then look at the policies Obama's been pushing since he took office. 4) Obama's a liar the same way every politician is a liar...end of argument! 5) Protecting the freedom of press that Fox News is given by the constitution was the smartest thing ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN could have done. If a republican administration boycotted all of them, I would hope Fox News would have a problem with that as well. Those networks understand that it is not the job of the government to determine who is allowed to inform the public of important information or show a different point of view than is wished for by the president. That's why the constitution is a wonderful thing...it keeps ridiculous events like this from occuring. In conclusion...just because Fox News doesn't happen to share your love for the Obama administration does not diminish the fact that they are indeed a real news organization. I happen to enjoy watching Fox News because I get more of a chance to form my own opinion instead of having the White House spoon feed me what they want me to hear. I don't believe this makes me a "liar and a bigot" and I happen to know quite a bit about news and politics. And for you Robert, ask yourself this question...if all the news organizations during the Bush administraion loved "W" as much as they love Obama, and there was no other voice to be heard, would you still hate him so much? Thank you for your time.

Hi Jarod, Thanks for being so civil and thoughtful in making your case for all readers here. I appreciate your commitment to a rational conversation about this hugely important topic. Z

In a study of the 2008 general election, the Pew Research Center found that the MSM was shilling for Obama. They still are. Fox News wasn't. They covered the election fairly. Obama knows this. That is why he is attacking FOX NEWS. He wants everyone to shill for him. He wants everyone to either do that or ignore negative press about him.

Pew Research Center. The Project For Excellence in Journalism. "How Different Media Have Covered The General Election."

Link below.

Bar Graph at link:

MSNBC's coverage of Obama was 14% negative and 43% positive. MSNBC's coverage of McCain was 73% negative and 10% positive. They were 5X as negative for McCain and 4X as positive for Obama.

FOX NEWS coverage, otoh, was 40% negative for Obama and 25% positive. Their coverage was 40% negative for McCain and 22% positive. They were equally negative for both and MORE positive for Obama in their coverage.

The Main Stream Media (MSM's) overall coverage of Obama was 29% negative and 36% positive. Their overall coverage of McCain was 57% negative and 14% positive. The MSM was 2X as negative for McCain and 2.5X as positive for Obama.

http://www.journalism.org/node/13436

Obama knows that the MSM is shilling for him. They still have a thrill running up their leg. The MSM either ignores or tries to sweep everthing under the rug for Obama. Obama knows this. FOX NEWS won't shill for Obama. He knows this, too. That is why he attacks them. The results of the Pew study are there. Any rational person knows this. Only mindless shills ignore this.

I did not vote for Obama. I try to tell my wife Irene who comments on here a lot.The man makes a pretty speech but never explains how he going to get all this stuff done.I was worried about his lack of experanice and how that washton would eat him for breakfast,but I had no Ideal the man would try to shut up anyone who might not agree with all he's trying to do.This is America RIGHT.FREEDOM OF SPEECH MR. PRESIDENT.I agree with Ron what a bunch of crybabies.

These people in White House still think they were in Chicago. The tactics they use to silent free speech is just despicable. Wht happen to their campaign promises of transparency and change? I am sorry I voted these Chicago gangsters into the White House. When the time comes, be sure that I will put my vote in to send them back to Chicago where they can talk tough and act stupid.

The seeming disrespect within the White House for the role a vital press plays in a free flow of information is kind of shocking to me. I have to admit it. Z

Do you actually watch Fox news? They are coompletely biased against progressives and Obama. ...
yes, I do watch it just as I try to watch all news channels. Z

Wow. The media sure does have an awfully short memory. I seems to remember all the networks bowing down to the Bush administration, with Cheney strong arming the networks like a wrestler. Where was the outcry then? (Crickets). Fox knowingly spreads false and debunked rumors to the point that 25% of the population think he was born in Kenya, is a Muslim, and is out to destroy the country. Glenn Beck says he is a racist. Fox also ACTIVELY PROMOTED the Anti-Obama Tea Parties. That's activism, not news. So David, why is it when the Bush never once gave an interview to the NYT in 8 years in office, and openly derided MSNBC from the Press Room, you suddenly find fault?

Not sudden. This blog only debuted in September 2008. It didn't exist then. Thanks. Z

Mom,

Yes, I was not disagreeing with you. I was agreeing. We should expect truth and not spin. I think there are journalists that give it we just have to be diligent to look for it. Not all news channels are the same, but none of them should have their freedom of speech denied. We agree!!!

Jarod, Thanks for the great post and backed it up with independent statistics.

I have been watching Fox news and I just don't see the unfairness that White House is complaining about. Well, probably Sean Hannity is a bit harsh but he is no worse than some of the commentators like Keith Olbermann and this female commentator which I dont remember (and don't care) what her name is. At lease Sean Hannity presents convincing facts, unlike MSNBS's commentators.

This is interesting I keep getting emails from the WH in my in box. A lot of them are related to the healthcare reform. The latest one was from Nancy- Ann DeParle. I think they have my number. Should I be worried?

I don't even know if I will have time to read all of these emails.

Hi Sherry, I would not be worried. Probably just a mailing list based on some demographic or vote you cast. Don't forget you are in "swing" state from the 2008 election that all the Democrats were intensely focused on. Z

"Glenn Beck says he is a racist." Glen Beck is not a Journalist. He is a commentator. He has never claimed to be a journalist. His show isn't a news show. It is commentary/entertainment show based upon his opinions and biases.

I reiterate. Can people not tell the difference between a commentator and a journalist. When the news is being read, it is just that news. It is neutral. It is neutral on CNN and it is neutral on Fox. It is the COMMENTATORS who are different. The Fox commentators lean to the right. MSNBC's commentators are so far left they lean past Chairman Mao. But MSNBC's commentators get a free pass because they are liberals.

With the Obama administration, as was quoted by a member of their administration with glee, during the election, they controlled the press. Anita Dunn gleefully announced recently that the Obama Administration focused on "making" the media cover what the campaign wanted and on exercising absolute "control" over coverage.

This administration doesn't want Fox's commentators giving full coverage to what the administration is doing. The is with what the commentators are saying and not the news that is being reported. However, the Obama and his ilk feel the need to disparage the whole station so as to marginalize them so they can make sure their sanitized coverage continues.

How bout some commentary on O'Malley's pathetic appearence on Bill Maher? Bill Maher had on Chris Matthews, Alec Baldwin and O'Malley. To say it was a slanted panel is a gross understatement. Alec Baldwin makes me puke in my mouth everytime he speaks, and O'Malley added NOTHING to the conversation. Just a few PC comments and some awkward stares.

I can't believe that with the amount of real issues and concerns facing this government they are spending time in a juvenile attack on Fox News. I don't know about everyone else, but when any organization gets too defensive I get suspicious. I suggest this administration spend more time filling in the gaps on their proposals and less time worrying about what Fox News has to say about matters.

Amen. Help people find jobs -- or at least provide some hope that ultimately there will be more jobs. Quite wasyting so much effort on Fox. Z

I am just curious how the only source that we have of this supposed White House attempt to shut out Fox News is a reporter at Fox News with no video or audio to back up the story. If the other news organization reporters felt it was so important to stick up for Fox News in this instance, I wonder why we have no report of this by any of those other news organizations.

Unfortunately, Fox News has shown their hand in their determination to only take the negative view of this administration. Why should we believe that this really occurred with no evidence or corroboration by any of the other news sources?

Why doesn't the Left in general and Obama in particular stop obsessing about Fox News?

Winning a presidential election doesn't entitle you to control the news media like Hugo Chavez (a man whom Obama FCC appointee Mark Lloyd says he admires, I might add).

It's time for Obama and his disciples to man up and come to terms with the fact that in America, we have this document known as the Constitution, and one of its amendments prohibits our government from restricting free speech and freedom of the press (again, two concepts that Mark Lloyd says he doesn't care about).

Look, I think Keith "Obama-Man" Olbermann is a blowhard who carries more water for the Democrats than the guy who restocks the DNC cooler. But the last thing I want is a nation in which either party in power can force its political opponents off the air.

My time-honored advice to Obama and friends is ... if you don't like Fox News, don't watch it.

Kudos to the other news networks for recognizing that the White House's attempted isolation of Fox News was a chilling echo of the famous poem, "First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I was not Jewish ..."

Are you people serious? FOX helped spread such manure as the VA's "Death Book," the Obamacare "Death Panels" and "concentration camps" for conservatives. Their producers staged scenes for the camera at the Tea Bag rallies. They are like the Weekly World News, only with a Far Right political agenda (only Bat Boy was more likely real than much of the crap they peddle). They make no serious attempt to accurately report the news. Instead, they constantly spout GOP talking points. They also engage daily in hate speech and promote violence against government officials and anyone FOX disagrees with. Obama isn't doing anything to suppress them. However, he doesn't have to pretend they're something they're not, i.e., a news organization.

You sound like a true believer. Thanks. Z

"The New York Times, had publicly said that their newsrooms had not been fast enough in following stories that Fox News"

This is the known reason why White House is denouncing FOX News. They dont want other news organization such as NYT and WP to follow Fox's footsteps to expose the dirty laundry of this administration. The fact that Fox is bring the truth that matters to the forefront is what petrified the White House.

The truth needed be told. Well done Fox!

Hi Z - saw you on Fox News last night commenting on the WH war with Fox News. Good job!

Hi Lauren, Thanks. You are being nice. I appreciate it. Z

Hi Z,

Thanks for reassuring me. I do get a lot of literature. I don't mind reading about the healthcare reform, but I am not sold on the proposed plan. I think you are right and I have emailed the WH before asking for the President to give FOX and interview so they have my email address.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech

And I liked this link, it explained to me that freedom of press and freedom of speech go hand in hand. It is all so important.

Kudos to you for your candid remarks on Fox NEWS. You and I don't always (often?) agree but I'm with you 100% on this.

Thanks, BmoreFree, for checking out the blog even when you don't agree -- and for this comment when you did. I appreciate it. Z

David, Sorry I missed your interview but I do applaud your comments! The White House diatribe against Fox News is truly scary. I cannot recall any administration so coldly calculating to shut out and yes, "demonize" a news organization that criticizes them. I am hopeful the mainstream media are beginning to realize that if the White House can do this to Fox, then they are not immune.

Obama's refusal to be interviewed by Fox is beyond infantile. Can't imagine grown-ups thinking this strategy will pay off. And if Obama and his minions have the real truth on important issues, wouldn't one think they would be eager to explain/debate on any news outlet??

Anyone who cannot differentiate between news and opinion shows on any network doesn't have the smarts to get into the discussion! I happen to think Keith Olbermann is an ass but I don't think he represents NBC news...

And finally, a big thank you for defending Charles Krauthammer--although he really doesn't need defending. He is one of the brightest political minds to come along in decades and he is a writer par excellence.

I also think the sheer number of comments you received on this topic may reflect people's deep concern about any attempt to stifle free press.

Hi Sandra, Thanks. I totally agree on Krauthammer as both thinker and writer. And I love his sense of humor. Z

I just lost all respect I had for you. I know you are trying to get on Murdoch payroll but to argue with a straith face that fox is fair and balance is a joke even for you. If you could stop reading republican talking points enough to do a web search for the videos put together that show how fox news non opinion shows are biased and slanted. I thing by defending fox distortions you are doing an injustice to real journalist who actually try hard to get the facts right and provide a fair and balance.

I don't think you watched the video or read anything I have written on this topic. If you had, you would probably have gotten the basic premise of everything I have written and said: This is about a principle involving the role of the executive and the press in a democracy. That's not about defending Fox. That's defending a free press and its importance to our democracy, Daryl. Thanks for the comment. Z

Funny that there is a perception of "stifling" when it comes to the White House treatment of the Rupert Murdoch short bus.
Fox is not a news organization. Period.
Apparently a little perspective is in order.

In the eight years prior, the White House:

Paid Armstrong Williams, Michael McManus, and Maggie Gallagher and others for favorable opinions about WH policies or to attack opponents of the WH.

-Allowed Jeff Gannon to lob sofball questions to inorder to frame an anti-democrat / anti-liberal agenda.

-Used reporters to out a CIA agent, then did nothing as reporters went to prison to protect their sources.

-Deliberately misled the media about WMD in Iraq, then used those reporters stories as corroborating evidence of the existence of WMD in Iraq.

-Ousted all the NY Times reporters off of their planes.

-created the Pentagon Pundit program, which sold the war by planting former military officers on networks. Uncovering this story yielded a Pulitzer.

-Staged mock press conferences with FEMA employees pretending to be reporters.

-allowed Ari Fleischer to tell everyone (but directed at journalists) they needed to “watch what they say and what they do.

Hi, thanks for the comment. Now run MSNBC through the same set of standards, and see how it does. The White House stance is hypocritical in that regard: MSNBC is guilty of every sin with which Fox is charged by the White House and folks who take your position. Thanks.Z

So you think the WH should allow Entertainment Weekly and TMZ into the press room, too? The fact is you people have forgotten what journalism is supposed to be about: THE TRUTH. It's not about opinions!! Learn the difference. The WH is correct for calling out Fox "News" for what they are: an arm of the Republican party and nothing more. They are a threat to our democracy, not the WH. CNN, NBC and the rest of them just don't have the guts to stand up for the truth and we are in deep, deep trouble.

Hello Cate, I have to be frank, I have no idea where you got the TMZ and EW stuff from? It has nothing to do with anything I ever said. Thanks. Z

Obama the Fox-hunter

There is a wily old Fox,
About Obama it talks,
“It just isn’t fair,”
He says with a glare,
“My feelings, it hurts, when it mocks.”

Obama the Fox-hunter (II)

On cable there is an old Fox,
The President, sometimes, it mocks,
“It just isn’t right,”
He says, ready to fight,
“Ignore it whenever it talks.”

Fox isn't news...its entertainment of the lowest form. Opinion is not news. Fox NEVER corrects itself when it airs something false. They let the misinformation and outright lies ride...and rarely, if ever account for their factual errors to their viewers. Fox is pornography. Fox is mindless blather. Fox is the so-called conservative 'opinion'. Fox is republican, but Fox is-NOT news. Kudo's to President Obama for acknowledging that Fox isn't a news organization.

Of course, you know you can say all the same things of MSNBC, which actually shuts down the newsroom on weekends to run prison documentaries instead of operating like " a real news network," to quote the administration's language. Thanks. Z

You're kidding right... "standing up for free speech." LOL More like, their hands are out for the GOP talking points copy with the money envelope attached.

Where were these so called journalists (as if) the last 8 years as the Bush Crime Family took everything that wasn't nailed down. Oh that's right they were getting theirs too. (Can you say Bob Woodward?)

As far as I am concerned Fox, NBC, ABC, CNN, and CBS, media department of military industrial complex, can be barred from the White House, since most of US are either getting our news from Comedy Central, or are working 3 (minimum wage) jobs or wondering whether we will be sleeping in the Walmart parking lot to care anyway.

Give their press credentials to The Discovery Channel, HGTV, Lifetime, Sleuth.

At least with these networks getting the new perspective, the people watching will get more practical information and skills on how to survive this mess that Reagan-Bush-Bush/Cheney and their "Free Market" heaped upon US while the "journalists" gave US their opinion, innuendo, commentary and misinformation.

Most of US aren't buying it anymore and the ones that are are calling themselves "teabaggers."

I am biased, because I regularly watch FOX News. For those of us who actually watch C-SPAN as well and read the bills as they are posted, FOX is a leader in the news, regardless of all the commentary. Those regard FOX as propaganda and Republican are engaging in ad hominem arguments.

The way O'Reilly talked about it, he was impressed with the rejection of the rest of the media outlets of the attempt to isolate and exclude FOX.

However, if the White House had contacted them individually rather than corporately, then they would have gone with it. Any chance at an exclusive with THE ONE will not be excluded.

It has been obvious they have been excluding FOX for some time now. Yet, they are not refusing to interview Obama when he calls.

Socialists are socialists only as long as their agenda is not contraverted and they can control. So, all news sources are equal.... it is just some are more equal than others.

As long as they continue to cover Obama on command without asking the hard questions, they are still puppets.

David H.S. took the words right from my fingers. When senior citizens are crying on national TV because Faux News reported they would be put before death panels, they lose all credibility as a news organization. That makes them akin to the National Enquirer and when was the last time they made it into the White House? Rupert Murdoch uses Fox to advance his agenda under the guise of news, and that does not sit well with me. Fox should separate the Republican agenda from the actual news, and maybe then they might get back in the WH.

The cabal of two-year-olds currently crawling about the White House seem utterly incapable of hearing anything negative about themselves, and they throw a tantrum when pressed.

This above all will likely be a major part of any "legacy" Obama will leave behind after his four long years.

"It's Bush's fault, it's my staff's fault, it's the insurance companies' fault, it's Wall Street's fault, it's Bush's fault again, IT'S FOX NEWS' FAULT, it's the Chamber of Commerce's fault, it's Rush's fault, it's Israel's fault, it's the Republicans' fault, it's those moderate Democrats' fault... oh, and did I mention, it's Bush's fault!"

lol...

This event is soley about The President and his desire to squelch the free press in a democracy. This is not a network battle, this is a battle over our basic constitutional freedoms. To the journalist out there....just be journalist, keep the politians on thier toes.

And what did this journalist say in the video that supposedly led to this post except this is about the executive trying to control and bully the press? Thanks for the comment, Michael. Z

If I didn't know better I'd think I was reading about a third world country trying to take-over it's media.

Doesn't the White House have enough to do rather than grouse about Fox News? Get on with the business of running this country, Obama and stop trying to control media that tries to give an objective view on the politics of our country.

Z I truly enjoy your column and I think you bring up some great points and allow people to state their opinion without being harsh. That is appreciated and why I read your column. I read this and thought I will watch Fox News, I turned the TV on and there was an item regarding the new home credit. The reporter discussed what had happened with the new home credits and it appeared factual, ( which I appreciated). When she was done with the facts it went back to the studio reporter and each of them had to give their personal opinion, which by the way was negative towards the program and the government and the white house. I had to turn it off and I only had it on for 10 minutes. I had no problem with them telling the story and the fact that the program paid a 4 year old, which was appalling. It was the fact that after the story the reporters had to give their personal opinions. When did news programs become op-eds on every issue? I then turned to MSNBC and they were discussing the war in Afghanistan, the reporters continued to the next story and didn't give an op-ed on each item. I went to CNN and the same was true of them, no op-ed at the end of each story. I don't have time to watch the 24 hour news cycle and I"m sure that MSNBC and CNN do the same thing with reporters giving their op-eds at the end of stories. My point is that it needs to stop, please news channels give me the story, facts only and allow me to make my opinion because I don't care what yours is, you are responsible to find the facts and report them...that is all no more no less. This in my humble opinion is the reason this issue has become an issue, yes the Bush Clan did the same thing to reporters, no not Fox, but others, nobody was yelling about it then, is it because Fox just screams louder and enjoys distorting factual news with opinion? Freedom of speech is one of our greatest freedoms, which we don't always appreciate. I am asking for all news outlets to go back to what they did best, find a story get the facts and present the facts, NO MORE EDITORIAL OR OPINIONS, be a journalist or be a pundit make your choice but you can't be both!!!!

I am not endorsing Fox. If you really have read me, you know that. I am defending the principle of a free press against an over-reaching executive branch that is trying to quash critical coverage and dissenting opinion. It is crystal clear to me. And I am not thrilled to have to be in the frontline trenches on this one with a very hardnosed and bareknuckled White House. But in this business, when your number is called, you step up and defend what you believe to be right. You don't run away. Thanks. Z

TJ is a good example of so many who come to a conclusion based on a very thorough and exhaustive investigation of their subject - 10 whole minutes of a network's product! Please. If you are going to put out such conclusions that MSNBC is more even handed than FOX or anyone else, you better do more research than the full 10 minutes you allotted to this experiment.

MSNBC is generally considered one of the worst examples of even handed news discussion. If you had given them your 10 whole minutes and stumbled onto one of their "commentators" like Olbermann or Maddow, would you have arrived at the same thoughtful conclusion? Again, Please!

It seems that most people who so vehemently castigate FOX's news reports (not opinion, news) and call the network names, like "faux news", do so with little real knowledge or exposure to that reporting. Okay, you don't like or agree with Beck or Hannity et. al. Fine. But they are not news. Nor is Olbermann or Maddow at MSNBC. Try comparing Chris Wallace or Major Garrett or Carl Cameron to the news people at other networks. That's a fair comparison. And try giving more than 10 whole minutes to something before you condemn it with little or no real knowledge. You only make yourself and your "conclusions" look weak with such comments and background.

The haters simply repeat what they have been told or they read elsewhere. Most cannot cite examples from their own experience - much like the phony quotes attributed to the much despised Limbaugh. At least use actual quotes and examples in your "hate". I am always amused at the venom directed at FOX and how easily much of it (not all) can be shown to be false or slanted in its own right. The very folks attacking FOX for being nasty or vile, use those same tactics themselves to demonize. Pathetic. Try using facts and standing ready for a real debate on the issues - instead of your reactionary parroting back of uninformed opinion.

People like TJ who devote an entire 10 minutes to an issue and make wide ranging conclusions are simply uninformed. People like Robert who make no sense with their name-calling and illogical arguments are not persuadable. People like Z, who works for an openly left-leaning liberal newspaper, can see the forest AND the trees and recognize an assault by this Administration on the free press. Even if that press is not of the same persuasion. Bravo Z, for a principled stand.

To those who think what the White House did in trying to control the media - no matter who was attacked - was unimportant, think again, and fast. It is OUR job to vehemently guard our freedom of speech - for ANYONE who is so attacked.

Deep appreciation to CNN, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, CBS, et al for drawing the line in the sand - for all of us.

Wake up America...

Thanks, Ellen. I could not agree more. Z

I respect Krauthammer as a conservative intellectual. His prediction of a unipolar moment was brilliant an prescient. I've even had the privilege to work with the man. But intellectual skill is not integrity.

Krauthammer applies his principles according to his ideological inclinations, rather than applying them consistently. I.e. his arguments on this subject have no integrity.

On the political question, whether the White House's gambit will succeed, I suspect it will. The Republican party has marginalized itself over the past couple of years, Fox News has been an instrument of that marginalization, and is currently accelerating it. Obama's technique, going back to the primaries, is to highlight an extreme version of his opponents claims and use them to polarize and marginalize those opponents. Fox News has presented Obama with a perfect opportunity to use that technique to achieve a number of major political goals.

I agree with some of the commenters here that you are over-reacting, though I suspect that the White House was provoking that reaction with the pool ban. When Cheney banned New York Times reporters my own reaction, and the reaction in the media, was light satire, not hysterical defenses of freedom of the press. There are threats to freedom of the press, even in this country, but the White House shaping news coverage is not one of them, it's barely even news.

Looks like I was wrong about the White House's intention in this incident, ...

Your last comment was kind of hard to follow. But now you have completely lost me...And I don't publish bad links. Sorry. Z

I'll try again. According to the White House and a network bureau chief the Fox News report was false. The White House did not exclude Fox News from the Feinberg interview.

I'm usually more skeptical of Fox's coverage of "outrages", since they so often turn out to be false, but this one slipped by me.

CBS News confirmed that it happened. See the report on Friday night's Katie Couric broadcast that says it happened. And CBS News was in the pool. Jeff Greenfield did the report, and Chip Reid talks about the White House action as going too far. The video is up at YooTube. I am sure you know how to find a YouTube video on your own. It would seem that the White House might be lying about it now if they are saying it didn't happen.I would suggest you save your sketicism for reports like the one you cited that has only an anonymous souirce for confirmation -- in this cas an unnamed bureau chief as its source of independent confirmation. No anonymous people quoted in the CBS News report. When you are telling the truth, you almost never need to use unnamed people. It is ridiculous to be using an unnamed source in a story like that in my opinion. All of which re-affirms the wisdom of not publishing the link you gave me to such a suspect and thinly reported story. Thanks. Z

I think part of the problem is that the name of the channel is "Fox News Channel" and people are confusing the actual Fox News section with the channel as a whole. The channel really has two aspects, the news aspect and the opinion shows. Beck, O'Reilly, Hannity, etc.. are not reporters or "news" people, they are entertainers and should not be expected to be neutral.

The actual News programs on Fox News are as neutral as any other channels news, that is to say they may lean a little to the right just as most other organizations including this newspaper lean a little to the left. Since the news is ultimately written by human beings who all have opinions, it would be impossible to be completely unbiased, but that is the goal in any case.

I would suggest that Fox come up with a new name for the channel. Just as MSNBC is not named "NBC News Channel", Fox should name the channel after something other than its News section so that people like those posting here would realize that not 100% of the programming on the channel is meant to be taken as actual news programming.

Way back when cable news stations went into the 24/7 mode of broadcasting, is when I think the "news" as we had all known it was shot to hell.

I used to ask how can they be broadcasting all day long when nothing is happening every minute? Well, now we see that the "news" shows are becoming more "my opinion" shows.

Like most people, I give all channels a look during the day if I want the news. Its not secret that some channels go left or right and no longer try to hide it.

But for the WH to actually BAN a news station from an event? Who do they think they are? How dare they try to override our Constitution and the beliefs that many newspeople have even gone to prison to uphold?

Whether its a newspaper or tv station, we are getting biased "news". Its up to us as informed Americans to sift through the rhetoric and see the truth.

And, I really had to laugh when this WH vs FOX came to light. I can remember Keith Olbermann (ewwwww) yelling , spitting into the camera, calling Bush a liar and murderer. How is that allowed?

Why is the WH so enflamed that FOX isn't for Democrats? Where have they been for the past 10 or more years?

My suggestion is that the President & Co. get OFF the late night shows and Olympic committees and get into the Oval Office and GET TO WORK!

Stop trying to be Mr Popular and dont' you dare try to quiet our freedoms.

That said.. Z.. I thought your statements were totally on board with this whole mess. You said everything I would have said. And, I also agree with your assessment of Krauthammer and his analysis. He has never hidden which party he supports and yet I feel he is usually well balanced in his judgements and comments. He definitely is a true intellect who USES that intellect!

This administration makes me very nervous. I don't feel safe with a President and cabinet who want to sing Kumaya with terrorists and let fanatics out of prisons to redo their former crime.

Thank You FOX For standing up for free press.

Fox News ratings up 11%

David Zurawick said: "Thursday, the Obama administration escalated its war with Fox News by trying to bar the cable channel's White House correspondent from a press pool event."

David may have this story wrong - no surprise there - he heard it from Fox News. Treasury denies the allegation:

http://www.mediaite.com/online/treasury-denies-it-tried-to-exclude-fox-news-from-interviews/

Also, David has not explained why he alleges that the White House expressing an opinion - something David does with this very blog - is a "war."

As I've said before, calling what the White House said a "war" is disrespectful to the troops, who are fighting and dying for David's freedom.

I don't have it wrong. Check out the CBS News Report on Katie Couric's newscast. It confirms the story. And I doubt even you will think CBS News is in league with Fox News somehow. By the way, CBS News did an excellent report with superb context by Jeff Greenfield. As for the report you cite: "Treasury denies the allegation...." Please. Thanks. Z

CNN: "Hey, maybe Obama should stop raising Fox’s ratings"

Z, didn't Fox go to court to defend their right to misinform the public?

Marie, many Americans especially this one agrees wholeheartedly this administration needs to get to the oval office and get to work. Could not agree more.

I cant help but think our tax dollars are just ching, chinging away while problems, real problems are not getting solved. I understand that the legislative & executive branch has jobs & health insurance. Some of my favorite Americans well trained & educated have neither. I wish we could propose a layoff & let some of them go up there and straighten a few things up. Fortunately, for these branches we have a Constition that protects them from this. Same as freedom of speech...it is a protection.

MSNBC slanders FOX NEWS, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh... that is ok?? Fox reports the truth... they have uncovered the ACORN fraud, the VAN JONES corruption. Van Jones resigned as a result because The White House was caught! MSNBC ignores the news that may damage this administration!