How to sell books…
Dr. Eric Alterman should adopt a more academic tone in his public conversations about bias in the news media. Oh…wait…he’s trying to sell books–not to a captive audience of college students but to the general public. And, apparently, he believes it’s necessary to engage in exactly the kind of mindless ranting that is the hallmark of public flamers such as Ann Coulter.
On FOX’s The O’Reilly Factor, Alterman equates the beliefs of conservatives with the fanaticism of suicide bombers. In Esquire, he says he wishes Rush Limbaugh had “gone deaf”–reference to a recent medical condition.
MediaMinded has the details. Check it out.
The topic of bias in the news media is far too important to be left to flamers. Dr. Alterman appears to be entering that camp. To my way of thinking, such rhetoric could (and, perhaps, should) quickly eliminate him from serious consideration.
UPDATE (11:35 a.m.): MediaBistro runs a Q&A interview with Alterman today.
I’m surprised that you’re surprised that Eric Alterman is anything other than a mindless ranter. Don’t you read his blog? If you did you would see such catchy phrases as “Ayatollah Ashcraft” and “Communist News Network” – hardly the Voice of Reason. Why did you think he was something more? Is it because of the “Dr.”? Oh, I know – it’s CONSERVATIVES who are mean-spirited – not liberals. Well, I guess THAT explains it.(tee-hee!!)
I’m giving Alterman shit by stressing the “Dr.” I am offended by any ranting done by Ph.D.s of any political persuasion. It flies against everything we’re supposed to be about.
I am quite well aware of his blog and his ranting.
That said, if I completely write off every commentator who busts out with a snarky comment there would be few commentators upon which to comment. Alterman seems to have crossed the line and can’t find his way back. He’s not as bad as Coulter. But he’s moving in that direction.
And, in the end, he may be comfortable with the role of entertainer. He’ll certainly make more money.
He did apologize. Also read my comment on that post. Alterman wasn’t refering to the American people, but FoxNews.
Today, Alterman apologized on his blog. Also, he wasn’t talking about the American people, but FoxNews’ belief that it is “fair and balanced”.
The one good thing in the O’Reilly appearance was that Alterman got O’Reilly to admit that FoxNews leans right.
He “apologized” by saying his rhetoric was merely “silly” and saying it would be “OK” if Rush went mute, then went on to attack Rush for something he apologized for PERSONALLY. The hypocrisy of this man knows no bounds.
And no, he was not talking about Fox News, he was talking about O’Reilly’s audience. Anyone who saw the comment in context knows this.
He “apologized” by saying his rhetoric was merely “silly” and saying it would be “OK” if Rush went mute, then went on to attack Rush for something he apologized for PERSONALLY. The hypocrisy of this man knows no bounds.
And no, he was not talking about Fox News, he was talking about O’Reilly’s audience. Anyone who saw the comment in context knows this.
He “apologized” by saying his rhetoric was merely “silly” and saying it would be “OK” if Rush went mute, then went on to attack Rush for something he apologized for PERSONALLY. The hypocrisy of this man knows no bounds.
And no, he was not talking about Fox News, he was talking about O’Reilly’s audience. Anyone who saw the comment in context knows this.
He was responding to O’Reilly saying he had ratings therefore he was talking about the O’Reilly audience… besides, when exactly is it okay to compare anything to terrorists, unless they’re actually terrorists?
And his “apology” was hypocritical and weak.
He was responding to O’Reilly saying he had ratings therefore he was talking about the O’Reilly audience… besides, when exactly is it okay to compare anything to terrorists, unless they’re actually terrorists?
And his “apology” was hypocritical and weak.