More and more people are starting to take notice of CNBC's dramatic shift to the left and the liberal groups promoting it.
On Fox News Channel's March 27 "The O'Reilly Factor," host Bill O'Reilly and Bernard Goldberg, author of "A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (And Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media" took a look at trends pointing to this shift that started after the feud between "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer and "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart.
O'Reilly cited a column written by NewsBusters Associate Editor Noel Sheppard on March 26 for The Washington Examiner that noted some of the things indicating CNBC's leftward swing.
"Writing in The Washington Examiner, Noel Sheppard reports that the far left outfit MoveOn and other loons are now attacking CNBC because of its economic criticism of the Obama administration," O'Reilly said. "The latest target is CNBC analysts Mark Haines. He's there on the left. He follows Jim Cramer and Rick Santelli, who were both savaged by the far left. In fact, MoveOn has forced NBC President Jeff Zucker to hire Howard Dean - as a CNBC analyst, Dr. Dean of course knowing little about economics."
O'Reilly also criticized the management of General Electric (NYSE:GE) for allowing the media coverage on MSNBC and CNBC to evolve ideologically to the left.
"Now many on Wall Street believe Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric which owns NBC, has completely lost control of his company, including the actions of Mr. Zucker," O'Reilly added. "The evidence of that is that MSNBC is supporting and promoting the same far-left loons that are hammering the sister outfit CNBC. I mean, how rich is this?"
Goldberg, was not overly critical of CNBC's decision to push left, but did think that was the goal of the left-wing attack machine.
"Look, do I think that these left wing groups, do I think that their real goal is to create a media world that doesn't have any dissent, where everything comes from left field, where it's a media world that resembles MSNBC?" Goldberg said. "Yeah, yeah - I think that's what they are trying to do."
But he didn't fault them for striving toward goal, even though the result would violate the ethical standards of journalism.
"But I also think, Bill that they have every right to try to change the media the way they want, just as you and I have every right to want the media to change the way we want," Goldberg continued. "And then it's up to CNBC and any other news organization that they go after to either stand up or to cave in. And then if a news organization caves in, we'll have another segment about them."
However Goldberg did suggest this could backfire if the financial network follows the path of MSNBC, which is traditionally third behind Fox News and CNN in the primetime cable news ratings.
"Let me tell you something about CNBC - they have a small audience, but they make a ton of money," Goldberg explained. "And the reason they make a ton of money is because the people who watch CNBC earn a lot of money. I don't think they're going to let a bunch of band of left wingers kill the goose that's laying the golden egg. I don't think so."
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Three Down - Many More to Go
March 28, 2009 - 11:43 ET by HoosierEmLarry Kudlow is probably next on MoveOn.org's hit list.
As far as I am concerned, this is good for Fox Business Channel. I don't care to hear Howard Dean talk about the economy. I prefer to hear objective business news without all the lefty spin. I believe that many people will switch to Fox Business because of this.
Dylan Ratigan is also gone from CNBC - maybe he will end up at Fox Business - who knows?
Disclaimer - I don't work at Fox but I am a huge fan of Neil Cavuto and I care about the economy as well as my own personal microeconomy.
These recent revelations by
March 28, 2009 - 12:16 ET by kevcadThese recent revelations by Bill are at least 2 election cycles too late. This implosion of the inherently reckless and undisciplined liberal media was bound to happen and has been in the making since GWB was first elected in 2000. We all know Obama's rise was helped by these "elements at NBC", along with an improperly educated voter base who have been systematically brainwashed by liberally controlled public schools starting in the 1960's.
Start each day with a smile, then get it over with. - W.C. Fields
cnbc
March 28, 2009 - 12:55 ET by samnichI've noticed the change since before the election. They have gone to more political stuff from Harwood, have the guy from MTP on every Friday, etc.
Now with Howard Dean, and I read that Huffington is going to be a contributor too, and Radigan is now gone, I'm turning more and more to FBN to get the business news, and less politics.
CNBC better wake up...they are going to be losing audience.
Too Bad
March 28, 2009 - 13:20 ET by BlondeBOR merely mentioned Noel's article....a far better show would have been to interview Noel.
Pay attention, O'Reilly.
I hope he fails, too.
Oh, this is just great.
March 28, 2009 - 13:21 ET by JerOh, this is just great. Now when I rip into that lying piece of journalistic dung, I'm going to risk the wrath of O'Reilly's brand new 'bud'.
Jer
I wish!!!
March 28, 2009 - 13:25 ET by BlondeWouldn't it be lovely to see Noel commenting on his own work?
I know you were just kidding, dude.
I hope he fails, too.
Careful NB, we wouldn't
March 28, 2009 - 14:46 ET by jdhawkCareful NB, we wouldn't want to criticize Fox Business News (FBN), would we? What? What a minute. This blog article isn't about FBN. Exactly.
CNBC is taking all the shots, but little is heard of FBN. Why? Because they say absolutely nothing controversial. That's right. FBN is more liberal than CNBC. While that might change, the upshot is that neither is going to give you a conservative viewpoint of the economy. It is truly a shame that FBN isn't delivering a more balanced viewpoint like their parent Fox News.
My pet peeve regarding FBN: The format is terrible. For example, they don't have a "tape" of the market action during market hours like CNBC and Bloomberg TV does. Instead, they "select" market data that they screen on a rotating basis. It doesn't give one a "feel" for what is being bought or sold at any given time during the market day.
Market Action
March 29, 2009 - 12:38 ET by mikebromoWatching CNBC they show the price of gold, silver, oil, dollor compared to euro, yen etc etc about every two minutes. jdhawk is right on about the "feel". Never watch FBN.
Ratigan will join the Fox Business Channel
March 28, 2009 - 15:22 ET by RpeggioI betcha Ratigan pops-up on the FBC....he's been critical of Obama, as has Kudlow...just watch them all jump over to FBC. And then watch FBC's ratings slowly over-take CNBC. NBC's leaders are complete boneheads.
CNBC
March 28, 2009 - 19:36 ET by UnsaneI have been watching CNBC off and on since 1997. I must say that this Leftward lurch is more dangerous for them than they think.
You see, business journalists are in a position where they are virtually forced to be objective: people may forgive you for being biased about politics but when you are reporting on dealings which effect the bottom lines of millions across the country, many of whom have vested interests in them, it is best not to be a BS artist.
So, that being said, color me horrified that Howard Dean, a man who hates capitalism with a passion, joined this network. I would not be surprised if more people check out FBN now - now that I located it on my cable box, I flip between the two channels. This would have been unheard of for me to do before. Some of the recent management decisions by CNBC give me pause though and have left me looking elsewhere.
P.S. I never, ever want to hear that Erin Burnett is made a "target". If the Leftist loons ever do that....my blood will turn black with rage. NO ONE EVER picks on Erin Burnett. EVER!!!
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Uns
March 28, 2009 - 19:48 ET by Noel SheppardUns,
She already is a target. TP has done 15 pieces about her: http://thinkprogress.... Media Matters has done 28: http://mediamatters.....
People better get this: the left want ALL dissenting opinions abolished! All!
Bear in mind that much like Cramer, Burnett's a Democrat. She's admitted voting for Obama. Doesn't matter. You're NOT ALLOWED to say ANYTHING these people don't like.
Be afraid, America. Be VERY afraid. ns
The resurrection of Turkmenbashy
March 28, 2009 - 21:22 ET by UnsaneNoel, the Left will not rest until this country resembles Turkmenistan under Turkmenbashy, with His Majesty The Shahinshah in the role of Turkmenbashy. Bottom line.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Wage controls might be in order
March 28, 2009 - 19:45 ET by NiftySwellAs I see these libs rant and rave about business leaders making too much and that the govt owns 80% of AIG means they can call for wage controls something occured to me. The government gives a ton of money to NPR right? Those commentators make ridiculous sums of money on the public dole...so can we not call for price caps on how much these people make? I believe that since GE and NBC are getting money maybe congress ought to have the salaries of their anchors, as well.
Someone needs to look into this!
If the NBC execs are not...
March 29, 2009 - 16:02 ET by jawebster1going to kill the golden goose at CNBC, then why are they bringing in that guy armed with an Axe named Howard Dean? Jim Webster