As NewsBusters previously reported, "Media Malpractice" documentarian John Ziegler was thrown off the USC campus in southern California last Wednesday while attempting to interview people attending The Annenberg Norman Lear Center's excellence in journalism awards ceremony.
CBS's Katie Couric was to be honored at the event for her "Evening News" segments which many believe submarined the campaign efforts of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
On Monday, Ziegler published at Big Hollywood a lengthy explanation of what transpired at USC:
I have had a rather bizarre career in media, but what happened last week on the campus of USC here in Los Angeles may end up marking one of the strangest and most disturbing episodes yet. I went to USC intending to simply let as many people as possible know that the award for “journalism excellence” they were giving Katie Couric for her Sarah Palin interview was a complete farce. To prove my point, I wanted to give away copies of my film “Media Malpractice,” which has my own Sarah Palin interview as a special feature. Instead, I ended up getting handcuffed, “arrested,” roughed up, detained, threatened, and forced off the premises.
After detailing the incident, and answering critics who claimed the security guards acted appropriately and that he was doing this as a publicity stunt to promote his film, Ziegler concluded:
The bottom line here is that what happened to me was a grave injustice that should concern every freedom-loving American regardless of their political persuasion.
Just like I will not be intimidated in my crusade to correct the historical record about what really happened with regard to the media coverage of Barack Obama and Sarah Palin in the 2008 Presidential election, I will not allow media hypocrisy, apathy and hatred of conservatives to stop me from making sure the free speech rights of all Americans are as fully protected as possible.
Hear, hear!
Readers are encouraged to review the entire piece.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Curic should interview him.
April 21, 2009 - 10:47 ET by sevenooopps, it wouldn't validate Katie's agenda.
What should we have expected
April 21, 2009 - 10:53 ET by Ozark_SunshineYou exposed her to be a fraud, you exposed USC as being another hypocritical brain washing institution, you exposed the mainstream media for the lies and bias that they have. They had to do something because they can't allow the truth be known in the land of cereal. It is caleed that because you get rid of the fruits and nuts, you still have the flakes. I look forward to LA and San Fransicko being destroyed by an earthquake.
Wow, what hatred
April 21, 2009 - 19:38 ET by Captain KirockJust because Ziegler gets tossed off a university campus, you want millions of innocent people to die in a natural disaster? You sound just like the haters on the Left who cheered when our soldiers were killed in Iraq.
Get a grip.
Perhaps you just sound like a leftist troll JA.
April 21, 2009 - 20:50 ET by pahuberYou really don't have anything nice to say about NB do you?
I have nothing nice to say to you Huber
April 21, 2009 - 21:10 ET by Captain KirockYou are a total idiot.
Nuff said.
LOL, well gee wiz you really hurt my feelings Captain Krock : (
April 21, 2009 - 21:20 ET by pahuber/s
He should sue.
April 21, 2009 - 11:25 ET by mattmHe should sue.
Injustice is injustice.
April 21, 2009 - 11:35 ET by AshrakIt is my hope that this situation does not go unpunished. I can see not being allowed inside, those inside have a right to engage intheir own association without interference from others. I cannot agree that asking questions and passing out videos outside was out of line. It seems to me that a full apology admitting wrongdoing along with space in the school paper displaying what was done would be an equitable solution. I think the school officials made a mistake in turning that resloution down.
They might find their paper dedicating more space to this in the future if a protracted legal battle comes to pass.
That an individual right exists requires that some policy positions be removed from the table of debate.
Well
April 21, 2009 - 12:18 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonWell, if he wasn't arrested, but handcuffed and held against his will, and he had committed no crimes, then he was kidnapped.
And that is exactly what he should press for, kidnapping, not only by the campus 'police' but on the direct orders of the head of the college.
USC IS a public area, and access for peaceful purposes cannot be denied.
http://gjresult.com
Here is their mindset of justification -
April 21, 2009 - 12:39 ET by AshrakUnless you totally agree with everything and everyone on the left, anything you do shall be deemed nonpeaceful. Therefor denial of any and all rights is totally warranted.
Sad it is.
That an individual right exists requires that some policy positions be removed from the table of debate.
USC IS a public area, and
April 21, 2009 - 12:51 ET by Dan The Man 2USC IS a public area, and access for peaceful purposes cannot be denied
It is not a public facility, it is private and the campus police were well within their authority to ask him to leave. He was well within his rights to protest and be civily disobedient and to pay the price for doing so. Now was he treasted in the same way a fellow traveller of Katie Couric would have been treated, probably not.
But being a private facility and organization they can set their own rules and regulations, as long as the Obama Administration is ok with it. They do take government money and in doing so are subject to government restrictions like GE and GM and the banks and .....
BE AFRAID ... VERY AFRAID.
But for now teh bottom line is we need to respect teh rights and wishes of private organizations like teh Boy Scouts if we wish to have those rights in teh future.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Pre-video Video
April 21, 2009 - 13:05 ET by CaringwhiteguyDoes Mr. Ziegler or do any others have video (or audio) from the time preceding the video he presented to Noel? I'd really like to see video showing dealings with USC officials prior to the video that appeared on NB. Such evidence would certainly help make the case he puts forward at Big Hollywood.
Doesn't it seem just a tad odd that the Ziegler video starts running only after the campus police become involved?
Go over to Ziegler's
April 21, 2009 - 16:00 ET by d1carterGo over to Ziegler's website, he has the entire video.
My point exactly
April 21, 2009 - 16:49 ET by CaringwhiteguyI've seen the video several times. The campus police appear in the first seconds of the "entire" video on Ziegler's website (it also appeared here a couple days ago). And your contention is that he had no contact at all with USC officials prior to the start point in the video posting? Video just happened to start rolling when Ziegler said "I'm apparently causing a major problem'? The campus cops just happened to show up?
If I'm wrong here I'll be delighted to eat my words and join in the condemnation of the university. But I'm having difficulty buying in.
I'm with you, CWG
April 21, 2009 - 19:50 ET by Captain KirockI have yet to see what Ziegler was doing right before security showed up. Until I see that, I'll withhold judgement.
Don't get me wrong, I like Ziegler and used to listen to his show sometimes on KFI. He could be entertaining and informative, but he also developed a reputation in Southern California for his outrageous actions at public events.
At Ziegler's
April 21, 2009 - 20:51 ET by CaringwhiteguyAt Ziegler's Bighollywood.com "explanation" of the situation . . . Ziegler attributes the following to an email from the USC Dean of Journalism - - "On the day of the award ceremony, Mr. Ziegler arrived on campus with two cameramen (not true. we arrived separately and they did not work for me) . . . " Ziegler then explains in his Bighollywood piece that the words were bolded by him and rebutted the misrepresentations of the J-School Dean. Ziegler is saying the cameramen didn't work for him.
On Ziegler's own USC video available at Ziegler's website Ziegler states "I HAVE A MICROPHONE AND TWO CAMERAMEN".
Should we believe Ziegler's video or should we believe Ziegler's rebuttal to the Dean?
We need to see more
April 21, 2009 - 21:17 ET by Captain KirockThere are a few other minor inconsistancies about John's statement. Without more video, it's hard to say. If he was just standing there trying to handout his dvds then they should of left him alone. I suspect there was more to it. I also suspect that there is a campus security tape out there too.
List those outrageous actions for us... or do they seem
April 21, 2009 - 20:53 ET by pahuberoutrageous only to you?
Here you go, chucklehead
April 21, 2009 - 21:34 ET by Captain KirockJohn's antics during the appeal and execution of Stanley "Tookie" Willaims were fairly outrageous. He went to the demonstrations and confronted large numbers of Tookie's supporters, which given Tookie's history was quite brave of John.
More from John's Wiki page:
"2005 was a year of confrontation for Ziegler, who devoted large
portions of his show playing audio of his personal confrontations with Robert Blake, Jesse Jackson (whose bodyguard broke the KFI microphone), O.J. Simpson, Senator Barbara Boxer and Mark McGwire."
He left his radio show under bizzare circumstances:
"Ziegler did not specifically mention the reason for his sudden and
surprising departure from the show. However, he had alluded to
producing a documentary for several months prior to his departure, and
he stated that the prior fourteen months had been difficult for him. In
January 2008, Ziegler launched a web site, www.therealkfi.com, which
detailed his story of his time at KFI, including his conflicts with KFI
management and fellow on-air talent. The website has since been taken
down."
As a casual fan of his KFI show, I went to his website to see why he left so quickly. From what I saw, he never fully expained, but he alluded to some conspiracies, both political and internal at KFI, and said he would explain all at a later date when he was safe.At that point, I lost interest.
Uh, those are it? Captain? Wow those were so
April 21, 2009 - 21:45 ET by pahuber"outrageous".
"...but he also developed a
reputation in Southern California for his outrageous actions at public
events."
uh-huh... so then because of this you are are infering that this may be a publicity stunt?
You seem to use hyperbole to make your points.
Did you ever listen to Ziegler's show?
April 21, 2009 - 22:24 ET by Captain KirockOr are you just talking out of your ass like you always do?
Tsk Tsk Captain Krock. Take your lumps like a good little troll
April 22, 2009 - 01:11 ET by pahuberThin skinned individuals like yourself do little to display your emotion on your sleeves.
You don't like being called out...well, then do not use exageration like you have been.
Anyhow, you are hardly worth making the effort, but I reserve the right to call you out when you go off like a fool :)
take care,
pahuber
So you didn't listen to Ziegler's show, did you Pube?
April 22, 2009 - 01:24 ET by Captain KirockSo I was right: you didn't listen to Ziegler's show and you are talking about something you nothing about. In fact, I suspect that you never even knew who Ziegler was until his DVD on Palin.
This may come as a shock to you Pube, but some people on this site actually do know what they are talking about and they don't just pontificate off the cuff on subjects they know nothing about and make fools of themselves, as you do on a regular basis.
Shocking isn't it?
OMG you are too funny Captain Krock... calling me Pube?
April 22, 2009 - 01:31 ET by pahuberWow, now I see what I am dealing with here.
Where to begin... you act indignant when called on your hyperbole and yet continue with your logic. Fine, I do not need to do any research when it comes to you, it seems. You are what I initially thought you were...
Now, I know you can do better with the childish play on my name, but at least I am not some self appointed Troll Captain.
Pube? lol I see you are out of sorts tonight.
Oh, and "always" is another use of hyperbole... considered by many to be a "sweeping generalization"...but thanks again for making my point.
Have another drink Pube
April 22, 2009 - 01:37 ET by Captain KirockAnd step away form the keyboard.
Good night and see you around "Captain Krock"
April 22, 2009 - 01:42 ET by pahuberTry to control the rage ; )
Try answering the question Pube
April 22, 2009 - 01:45 ET by Captain KirockYou never listened to Ziegler's show, did you?
Captain Krock, lol "pube"? wow...
April 22, 2009 - 11:48 ET by pahuberListening to the show is not a prerequisite to comment on your hyperbole.
You seem to like using exagerations to make your points (especially on this thread).
When asked whether or not you had evidence of this man being outrageous you post examples that hardly illustrate the "outrageous behavior" you use to make your point.
So go on trolling down the thread. It still does not change the fact that you are a classic thin skinned troll.
Anyhow, you must be sleeping one off right now . . . so...
pahuber
So let me get this straight Pube
April 22, 2009 - 12:16 ET by Captain KirockYou've never listened to Ziegler radio show and assume he did nothing outrageous on it.
But when someone who did listen to his show on a regular basis tells you that Ziegler did some outrageous things on that show, you choose not to believe that person and believe your own little pre-conceived notions about Ziegler's show, even though you never heard it once.
You Pube are a classic knee-jerk doofus. You tried to flame me on something you know nothing about. When I, someone who did listen to Ziegler's show, demonstrated your ignorance on the subject, you resorted to name calling and increduluously still stand by your unsupportable position that Ziegler did nothing outrageous on his radio show.
Keep digging that hole Pube but be sure to stop at 6 feet under because your argument (like your brain) is dead.
Keep on raging Captain Krock
April 22, 2009 - 12:49 ET by pahuberDo you always exagerate to make your points?
You know some would say that your comments were dishonest.
Keep digging Pube
April 22, 2009 - 12:55 ET by Captain KirockWhat is this Pube? No clever remarks to my post? Only more insults and blather?
Whatever you do Pube, do not address the subject, just continue to attack me personally. That will win the argument.
I have not insulted you Captain Krock... that is totally in your
April 22, 2009 - 13:00 ET by pahuber"mind"
I have addressed the point here that YOU Captain Krock have engaged in HYPERBOLE to make your point. That is borderline lying.
You are upset because you cannot seem to make a point without such tactics.
Name calling? Re-read your own posts to me lol
No, no clever remarks for your performance here.
pahuber
You're talking about something you know nothing about Pube
April 22, 2009 - 13:09 ET by Captain KirockLook at the other posts in the thread and you will also see some other posters who are aware of Ziegler's previous antics, expressing the same degree of skepticism that I am.
Do you not believe them either Pube?
Captain Krock, I have stated that you use hyperbole to make
April 22, 2009 - 13:49 ET by pahuberyour point.
It really is an easy concept.
Pube, reality is a deadly place
April 22, 2009 - 14:13 ET by Captain KirockI explained to you that I was a casual listener to Ziegler's radio show, that I heard some of his outrageous antics (particularly his stunts during the Tookie Williams protests) and that given his previous track record, this incident just might be a publicity stunt. Other posters who were also familiar with Ziegler's radio show agreed with me. You on the other hand never heard Ziegler's show yet claim I am wrong.
That's not hyperbole Pube, those are the facts.
So why don't you just crawl back into your alcohol-induced fantasy land where
you can make up your own facts and where you are sheltered from the
harshness of the real world.
Wow Captain Krock... great post ; ) /s Again, listening to him
April 22, 2009 - 14:58 ET by pahuberis not a prerequisite to judge your remarks. Now, if you spent most of your time thinking of a correct response rather than your childish insults you might have figured that out by now.
You think that you having listened to him is something . . . wow, but it has nothing to do with the evidence you put forth as being "outrageous"... I am judging you by your remarks and you want me to judge you by some other standard. NOPE.
You are a troll Captain Krock.
Now make yourself comfortable with this fact.
USC rent-a-cops kicked him
April 21, 2009 - 13:06 ET by NonArabOmarUSC rent-a-cops kicked him off campus. They pull stuff like that since its "private property." It's a private university.
Happens. Conservative supporters can try tightening the leash and cut back on their donations to the school.
USC is pretty obsessed with fundraising. Hit em where it hurts.
Us Conservatives are funny people...
April 21, 2009 - 18:38 ET by jawebster1all we ask for is the same consideration and access given to Liberal protesters..."Code Pink" for example. They show up in the middle of of Congressional hearings wearing outlandish clothes, showing outrageous signs and no one says a thing. Jim Webster
Idiocy on both sides
April 21, 2009 - 20:29 ET by DustBunny01Both sides of this "demonstration" were wrong.
John was wrong by not complying with the security officers who asked him to depart. A person has a right to be lawful and stupid on public property but when that person walks onto private property, his right to be stupid is limited by the tolerance of the person who owns the property or his agents (which security officers are).
The Security Officers were wrong the minute they handcuffed John and did not complete the citizen's arrest. The very second those cuffs go on, they are committed to contacting a police officer and having that officer complete the citizen's arrest by citing the offender or taking that offender into custody. That failure has left USC open to a lawsuit.
However, John sustained no damages such that a lawsuit would be tossed or, when he won, he would receive probably one dollar.
DB... Yeah, I was going to
April 21, 2009 - 20:37 ET by bigtimerDB...
Yeah, I was going to comment on the 'no charges' once he was cuffed the other day when this posted...got side-tracked.
As far as I am concerned the way you have summed all this up is exactly how I see it too.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I'm not buying this guy's
April 21, 2009 - 20:59 ET by balboaI'm not buying this guy's story for one second, and it's not because he's conservative. If this was Michael Moore, I'd be just as suspicious. The "mug shot" argument isn't holding any water. He was looking for PR, for attention to his film. It couldn't have gone any better for him as we see the result.
This is not very good PR
April 22, 2009 - 06:48 ET by general companyI went to USC intending to simply let as many people as possible know
that the award for “journalism excellence” they were giving Katie
Couric for her Sarah Palin interview was a complete farce. To prove my
point, I wanted to give away copies of my film “Media Malpractice,” which has my own Sarah Palin interview as a special feature.
His reason for being there seem very probable, I doubt he banked on getting arrested.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg