Rupert Murdoch On Olbermann-O'Reilly Feud: "Bill Shouldn't Be So Sensitive"

Rupert Murdoch, who has called Keith Olbermann "crazy" and is often the subject of Olbermann's rants, weighed in on the Olbermann-O'Reilly feud in a feature celebrating Esquire's 75th anniversary by highlighting the 75 most influential people of the 21st century.

In specific, Murdoch said "Bill shouldn't be so sensitive" and suggested that O'Reilly "ignore" Olbermann:

Keith Olbermann is trying to make a business out of destroying Bill O'Reilly. He's done certain things to Bill O'Reilly that I believe were way over the line. I think that's bad behavior. But it's okay for him to criticize Bill. And Bill shouldn't be so sensitive. He should ignore that.

Murdoch also discussed business strategy and politics in the feature:

I'm not a knee-jerk conservative. I passionately believe in free markets and less government, but not to the point of being a libertarian. After this financial crisis, there are going to be some restrictions. I'm frightened they'll go too far, but certainly there should be something.

It sounds old-fashioned talking about newspapers, but The Wall Street Journal is a unique opportunity. I think there's an audience for a really good national and international paper. If you can make it really strong in national and international news, and keep it at a very high intelligence level, you're going to get the most affluent and influential audience in America -- two million or so discriminating readers. And that's very valuable.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't think for a minute that we're going to put The New York Times out of business. I think they have a future, too. But I think there's certainly room for an alternative, a strong alternative.

It's a libel to say that I use my newspapers to support my other business interests. The fact is, I haven't got any other business interests.

Comments

[adzeman]

Oreilly should consider plastic surgery. The years of drinking cheap scotch has left him looking like a liver-spotted sharpei. God what a train wreck. That's a face for radio bub.

[OldKnute]

Dustbunnies!

If Rupert Murdoc is really concerned about regulations as stated in the article, he might do well to review what Conservatives are calling for in the reforms that McCain Palin are suggesting.

Excessive REFORM shake-up that is going to generate Tsunamis from Banking to Media. In McCains Banking World,,, only Party Loyalist get loans, confirmed by anything posted and Googled for the last 10 years, (AAA) Paper and Sister of a Banker.

Sorry,,, this will not make for a robust and DEEP Economy.

Please,,,,, see McCains growing hatred of the Media in General. The,,, Cross Platform,,, penetrations enjoyed by Murdock, is Toast, under the NEW FCC Regulations proposed by McCain/Palin.

After Tabloids have torn Palin apart,,,, PLEASE,,,, Watch out Gods (Palins) wrath for those who pander in Gossip, one of the 7 Deadly Sins.

The VALUE of the Journal?? HA!,,,, With the reputation that Rupert Murdock drags around behind like a LONG TAIL,, the Editorial Integrity of the Journal is already in question. Oh,,,, Not FLUFF,,,,, like the Palin,,, selling Snowballs to Eskimos,,,, I am talking REAL Reputation.

The Journal is NOT a Veg-O-Matic sold at Wal-Mart.

The Journal was PEOPLE,, the Reporters, Editors and Staff, the best and the brightest,,, attracted and performing to their utmost for an IDEAL, not their owners.

You can’t BUY,,,,, Integrity and Reputation,,, It is Earned.

The Wall Street INQUIRER????

NOT!!!!!

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB < -----Healing America ONE Call at a Time.

[whiskeytangofoxtrot451]

Olberman has his issues, but he is right on target when it comes to Bill-O the clown. Bill-O is a petty, little man who lashes out at anyone and everyone who dares to challenge him.

It's always hilarious when he thumps his chest and talks about his ratings compared to others and tries to take credit for any decline in ratings/sales of his latest target. Remember when he tried to claim he had single-handedly destroyed the French economy? He had to make up a fictitious publication to do it. He is completely delusional.

[ibsteve2u]

"you're going to get the most affluent and influential audience in America -- two million or so discriminating readers. And that's very valuable."

lollll..."the most" might have been too restrictive of a phrase.

Were I rich, I am afraid that my perspective would be that moving major money is risky enough as it is without having to constantly wonder how much truth is in the story that you are reading.

[mamacat]

Bill is a "shock jock" and deserves whatever treatment he gets in the electronic media. He makes a living by lying, and he should be embarassed by that, with or without criticism from KO or anyone else.

As for the WSJ, it is not a coincidence that so many staffers quit when Murdock took it over. Everything he takes over he uses to push his own political agenda, instead of looking for the truth. That makes the WSJ irrelevant. Like Murdoch's Fox News, it occasionally gets something right, but those times are noteworthy for their rareness.

For decades I loved and respected the WSJ, but now it isn't even a shadow of its former self.

[awcbuddy8]

It becomes a "feud" when Olbermann becomes relevant.

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

I love it and LOL when Olbermann call Bill "the Clown". That is soooo funny.

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

It would appear that his other Business interest is to take over the United States.

[cart 25]

for people who go on about o'reillys ratings beating olbermanns. Which shop makes more money each day...the healthy salad bar down the road or mcdonalds? Which is better for you? Just because something is popular proves absolutely nothing.

Lets remember that Garth Brooks is still one of the biggest selling artists of all time.

[graffen48]

If you read the transcripts of Olbermann's comments, and take the "TV" out of it, his analysis of most of the issues is both refreshing and surprisingly accurate. He doesn't just blow words out of his butt, he backs them up with facts, and sxamples. Its nice to have someone question all the bs we are feed on a regular basis.

[Mybunchofgrapes]

Keith Olbermann finest moments is when he debases O'Reilly for O`Reilly is limited and so is Glenn Beck. I wonder what happened omn their way out of their mothers womb that caused O`Reilly and Beck to be so weak minded. We need to stop giving these guys O`Reilly and Beck press for their brand of keeping American barefooted and dumb is coming to an end.

[mamacat]

Keith has made it a personal mission to expose these Shock Jocks for what they are. America owes him a debt of gratitude.

The Shock Jocks are able to exist by appealing to the lowest and basest emotions of people who are looking for someone to explain to them why they themselves feel so inadequate. They make a good living for themselves by exploiting vulnerability and ignorance in others.

[janfin]

Thank you Janeb. I love Keith Olbermann; he calls it as he sees it. And for those who think he is not impartial, have you seen his special comments directed against Obama and Clinton? I think it is a shame that NBC decided to not let him cover the rest of the election because of his comment about the repubs politicizing 9/11. Once again he called it as he saw it--it was despicable--he knew it and I hope the rest of America knows it.

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[msla56]

It very sad how the MSM control your thinking, the world is watching! fighting over ketih and bill is sad, those of you for keith STOP wasting your time on these dead brains. and those of you fighting for bill WAKE THE F!!! UP PEOPLE.

[huffy2001]

It's a libel to say that I use my newspapers to support my other business interests. The fact is, I haven't got any other business interests.

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Excuse me? Major league baseball. Worldwide satellite TV and radio. Motion pictures. Television network. Cable news network. Billboard advertising. Real estate. Finance.

No other business interests?