TVNewser is reporting this morning that a Fox News production assistant was fired for cheering on John McCain when she got close enough to the Arizona senator during the Time 100 Gala.:
Insiders tell us the assistant, identified as Jennifer Locke, was on assignment with a camera crew to cover the entertainment angle of the event. When Sen. John McCain walked by, the assistant said, "I voted for you in the primary, you're going to win."
[...]
A Fox News insider called it "journalistically unacceptable." An FNC spokesperson would not comment on the personnel matter but did confirm Locke is no longer with the company, where she'd worked for a couple of years.
Of course that is journalistically unacceptable, as much if not more so than the Obamania that ostensibly objective journalists at other networks have expressed.
TVNewser also noted that Sen. McCain chided Ms. Locke that she's "not supposed to reveal that" she's a fan of McCain's. Perhaps Sen. Obama can borrow from the Arizona Republican the next time liberal reporters are laying palm branches at his feet.
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Kudos for Fox News to take
May 9, 2008 - 12:53 ET by taterKudos for Fox News to take issue with this and this is why they are destroying the other alphabet networks. Firing may have been a bit too much though.
I'm just waiting for the I (heart) Obama pins the talent will start to wear on MSNBC.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
I agree...
May 9, 2008 - 13:14 ET by ForeverOnTheRighttater. I do think firing was a bit too much. A disciplinary action would have been understandable, unless FNC employees KNOW that they can't cheer a candidate "on pain of death" (being fired). I also agree on giving FNC kudos for taking issue with this.
Ok then
May 9, 2008 - 12:54 ET by DelsaFOX is just like McCain. You can't say anything good or bad.
Why would they fire her. Maybe she thought she'd get an exclusive if she played nice nice?
If she had told Obambi she voted for him, would she have been fired?
At least we know where Fox stands on these things and that is a breath of fresh air when compared to other MSM
can't say I like that
May 9, 2008 - 12:52 ET by candanceI can understand saying something to her or maybe writing her up, but getting fired for that seems a little harsh. Sean Hannity tells us who he's voting for all the time. Unless that had been shown to influence her production of the news, I fail to see why she lost her job over it.
It's overkill, probably to
May 9, 2008 - 12:56 ET by balboaIt's overkill, probably to perpetuate the whole "fair and balanced" thing.
yeah bal
May 9, 2008 - 12:58 ET by candanceCan't feed into the stereotype of our producers being GOP shills. It smacks of the gentleman doth protest too much.
Although, the employee WAS
May 9, 2008 - 13:05 ET by balboaAlthough, the employee WAS a Republican. :-)
But seriously, you can't get much more unimportant than a P.A.
Well
May 9, 2008 - 13:10 ET by RainsfordWell It's like it keeps being said here. Hannity is a commentator, so when you tune in, you know you're getting his oppinion, not the news. This assistant, however, was in charge of giving the news for the event. I'm sure that Fox didn't fire her for saying she supports McCain per-say, as much as they fired her because of the fear that Olby and his ilk would start running circles around the "Fox News bias". By letting her go, at least until the elections over, they don't need to worry about it.
In my oppinion, it shows even more evidence that Fox News isn't exactly a shill for the Republicans.
exactly rains
May 9, 2008 - 13:15 ET by candanceSo which is it, she was fired because she might infect the news, or she was fired to prevent gossip that might make Fox News look bad?
Candance
May 9, 2008 - 13:26 ET by RESTLESS 1My guess would be the latter. I do think that she was a scapegoat.
Apples and oranges
May 9, 2008 - 16:38 ET by nkviking75Hannity is co-host of an opinion program. He is not required to be objective. A news producer doesn't have that luxury on the job. But IMHO a reprimand might be enough for a first-time offense.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Why stop with her?
May 9, 2008 - 12:53 ET by jefflebowskiFox might as well go after Chris Wallace...he was so in the tank for Juan McPain during the Republican primary that I stopped watching him!
jefflebowski
May 9, 2008 - 13:06 ET by DelsaThey will never go after Chris baby. Heck, they let him berate his co-workers on live TV and he gets away with it.
He is too big a fish but the little gal was not big deal to fire.
I think there is a
May 9, 2008 - 13:06 ET by ApacheI think there is a difference between what commentators say and do and what the production crew can do. Now if she was only involved in the production of one of the commentary shows then she should not have been fired.
Fox News
May 9, 2008 - 13:10 ET by Thunder PigFox News is just like Senator McCain. Real Conservatives are starting to have an extreme dislike for the network. It's been months since I have watched Fox, and I see no reason to go back. (I now get my news from the internet, and whatever is on the radio while I listen to conservative talk shows).
I'd like to see a news network that was as conservative as the left thinks Fox is.
I Agree
May 9, 2008 - 21:33 ET by River CityTP, I'm with you. I stopped watching FNC on a regular basis several months ago. O'Reilly is a microcosm of Fox in his attempts to appear fair and balanced. He goes overboard toward Obama in his desire to make people think he isn't biased. He has to make ridiculous statements to try to make people at ease with his supposed position in the middle. Also his constant attacks on the oil companies are maddening. If he doesn't want them making a profit my guess is he wants to nationalize them and make them akin to utility companies. Geraldo gags me and they put him on the other shows to share his opinion.
The only show I still watch is Fox and Friends. Doocy and Kilmead are great. I wish Dish Network had the Business Channel I would give it a try. I like Neil Cavuto and Dave Ramsey.
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Hillary Clinton, 6-28-04 San Francisco
Thunder...I am with you...I
May 9, 2008 - 15:33 ET by bigtimerThunder...I am with you...I do watch some shows that are politcal still, I flick it around in the morning here and there but Fox has changed for the worse since their beginning, much to my sorrow.
I wished I was rich enough to start a major conservative station...it is needed...which I have stated before.
Maybe someday we will be lucky enough to see this happen...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
The only hope
May 11, 2008 - 07:36 ET by BobAnthonyWell, in terms of radio there is USA Radio Network News. But I am someone who also wants quality in my newscast on the radio. And since they merged with the conservative leaning Information Radio Network (IRN), their presentation is spotty at best, and that to me is saying something bad.
WICC in Bridgeport is such a station, who went to USA Radio after years and years of AP Radio. Now I was a fan of the old USA Radio TOH (top of hour) format. It just seemed to flow. But since the merger with IRN, well it defies description.
You get one minute of in essence news headlines, a stopset, another minute of headlines, another stopset (usually for the so-called three-step financial plan) and one final segment. Their website mainly offers long-form stories from CNSNews and other sites, plus commentaries and isn't that flashy (perhaps a positive).
http://irnnews.com/
Also there is Fox News Radio, but I am afraid about FNC's baggage, especially since a terror-loving Arab partly owns the channel, and Murdoch's kid runs the channel--AND HE LEANS LEFT! So if Fox doesn't watch itself, it could become a member of the Corporate Fascist Media.
I dont see anything wrong
May 9, 2008 - 13:11 ET by Dan The Man 2I dont see anything wrong with what she did as far as journalism, in fact all should reveal the bent so we can judge their works on that merit. Get all bias out in the open so we can see them in teh light. Now she may have had something in here contract or in that specific work assignment to keep to herself and that is acceptable as FNC pays her and has teh right to project whatever image they see fit through their subordinates.
McCain was pretty stupid to say what he did as he should chide all others saying they are for someone or another. Everyone knows the score and it should be transparent and out in teh open. Reminds me of teh Jim Crow laws in teh wink and nod thing.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
If there is a contract
May 9, 2008 - 13:36 ET by bigtimerIf there is a contract signed with this gal...she should know the rules and requirementa of her job...if she didn't abide by that contract then she is gone...there may also may be more than we know that has happened in the past behind the scenes or such that gave them reason to let her go that we know nothing about.
Just a thought.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Thanks, bt. I think you
May 9, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Chris NormanThanks, bt. I think you added some necessary caution and perspective.
I agree Chris - great points BT
May 9, 2008 - 14:21 ET by Dee BunkI do think it's a shame though because there are so few people in the whole media scene that have any conservative leanings. Even this one had to bed a pretty liberal conservative or Democrat if she voted for McCain.
When it comes to television, movies and media in general, conservatives should get some type of minority protection because they are rare and should be given more chances then their liberal counterparts. If you want political diversity in a place where not many conservatives apply, you have to cut them more slack.
Exactly right BT
May 9, 2008 - 15:28 ET by CaringwhiteguyThe sin was probably violation of work or contract rules, not in being political. I don't fault Fox for pulling the plug.
However,for being open and honest with her politics I think she deserves commendation. Those who just slant and then feign objectivity are far more dangerous and hypocritical.
I think this is a case of overkill...
May 9, 2008 - 15:03 ET by PrairieSkyWhile I do think that what the FNC production assistant did was extremely inappropriate, I also think that firing her was an overreaction. I think a more reasonable punishment would have been a demotion along with a severe rebuke from her bosses. FNC's mantra is "Fair and Balanced", and they obviously take it very seriously. I think Fox's reaction was a result of the fear that if they didn't react very strongly to this situation, the MSM would be screaming that they weren't tough enough on the employee involved.
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981
sound decision
May 9, 2008 - 23:32 ET by brerolFox made a simple sound decision to fire this person. When it comes to reporting the news networks must do their very best to give a honest and objective approach to reporting. Their reputation is what determines whether or not the public will trust them.