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Howard Kurtz
Press May Own a Share in Financial Mess
Submitted by Benton Foundation on October 6, 2008 - 7:32amLast updated: October 6, 2008 - 7:32am
The stakes are enormous in a fast-moving financial crisis where the traditional concern about journalists causing a run on the bank is hardly a theoretical danger. But as news organizations chase exclusives about the Wall Street meltdown, they also are grappling with a troubling question: Why didn't they see this coming?
'Substantive' Press Is Taken for a Spin
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 29, 2008 - 6:57amLast updated: September 29, 2008 - 6:58am
Polls Friday night may have indicated that Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) won the presidential debate, but Kurtz believes Sen John McCain's campaign won the spin war afterwards. What was equally striking, inside the massive media tent, was that some of the journalists who profess to want an elevated debate on the issues -- which is precisely what they got, courtesy of moderator Jim Lehrer -- seemed unusually interested in style points.
Candidates' Performances a Matter of Debate
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 25, 2008 - 7:18amLast updated: September 25, 2008 - 7:18am
Performing well in Presidential debates, media and political analysts say, is only part of the battle. The moment each debate ends, the candidates, their aides and their surrogates will try to shape the coverage to their advantage.
Talked-About Ads Were Seldom Aired
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 24, 2008 - 7:20amLast updated: September 24, 2008 - 7:20am
Sen. John McCain received considerable publicity for a television ad accusing his Democratic opponent of having "lashed out at Sarah Palin, dismissed her as good-looking . . . then desperately called Sarah Palin a liar.
Recent Obama Ads More Negative Than Rival's, Study Says
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 18, 2008 - 7:41amLast updated: September 18, 2008 - 7:41am
According to the Wisconsin Advertising Project, Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) aired more negative advertising last week than did Sen John McCain (R-AZ). During that week, 77% of Obama's ads were negative vs 56% of McCain's.
From the Radio Right Comes an Amen Chorus for Palin
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 5, 2008 - 7:15amLast updated: September 5, 2008 - 7:15am
In a long corridor leading into the Xcel Energy Center that is packed with radio broadcasters, a new narrative about the presidential election was emerging rather noisily, at least among those on the right who make their living in front of microphones.
Obama Met With Fox News Executives
Submitted by Benton Foundation on September 3, 2008 - 7:45amLast updated: September 3, 2008 - 7:45am
At a secret meeting with Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) three months ago, Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes says, he tried to clear the air with the Democratic senator by saying that his organization was determined to be fair but would not be "in the tank" for Obama's campaign.
ABC's Attempt To Film Donors Ends in Arrest
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 28, 2008 - 11:36amLast updated: August 28, 2008 - 11:36am
An ABC News producer was arrested outside a downtown hotel here Wednesday while he and a camera crew tried to shoot footage of corporate donors leaving a meeting with a group of Democratic senators.
Frustrations Lead McCain Campaign To Limit Reporters' Access
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 4, 2008 - 8:43amLast updated: August 4, 2008 - 8:44am
The captain of the Straight Talk Express is having a bumpier ride with journalists than when he ran for president eight years ago. The popular image of the campaign -- Sen John McCain (R-AZ) bantering with national journalists in the back of his bus -- has, in reality, all but vanished.
The Spokespundits
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 28, 2008 - 7:25amLast updated: July 28, 2008 - 7:25am
A look at among a growing band of operatives who have made the magical transformation from press aide to pundit in the blink of a news cycle.
