'Fix CNBC' Campaign Goes To Wall Street, Network Headquarters (VIDEO)

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee has released some genuinely funny video of the group taking its FixCNBC.com campaign to the sidewalks of Wall Street and the network's corporate headquarters.

The clip, spiced up with the help of HuffPost comedy bloggers Katie Halper, Lee Camp, Baratunde Thurston and Jeff Kreisler, is part of a larger effort being undertaken to get CNBC to change its organizational mission, towards more of a Wall Street watchdog. In one of the short's final reels, PCCC co-founder Adam Green delivered a 21,000-signature petition to the network's New Jersey offices. Green tells the Huffington Post that CNBC executives have acknowledged receiving and reading said petition.

The network, popular among the market obsessed, has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks for what critics claim is a propensity to cheerlead Wall Street. Occasionally brash commentary on White House policy by hosts Jim Cramer and Rick Santelli did little to help CNBC's cause among progressives. A few weeks ago, a group of leading progressives and economists penned an open letter demanding that the network modify its mission.

Since the launch of FixCNBC.com, the network has, in fact, made several programming changes. Former DNC Chair Howard Dean was brought on as a regular commentator, and Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington guest hosted CNBC's morning show Squawk Box last week.

"Too often, groups put up online 'petitions' that aren't tied to any larger campaign," Green said of the FixCNBC.com letter. "We wanted to make sure CNBC truly received the message that people want them to do journalism that holds Wall Street accountable. And now we'll focus the energy of over 20,000 people on electing bold progressives to Congress -- candidates who will hold Wall Street accountable."

The video features and was put together by, among others, HuffPost bloggers Katie Halper, Lee Camp, Baratunde Thurston and Jeff Kreisler.

Comments

[mikekc]

It took me about a week to get over the urge to watch CNBC. Now when I flip over there it's to get a 30 second download of what distortions they are presenting, much like I occasionally do when I flip to Fox News for a few seconds. Just say no to CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, etc. What I do instead is DVR the 10 PM showing of the daily show and watch that when I want to have something on in the morning.

[Buzz-Cuz]

CNBC is a right wing , wall street , cheerleading "JOKE " ......

[finwiz]

You know...you don't actually have to follow whatever advice CNBC gives out. Sometimes it's helpful to think for yourself.

[loki]

Ive been watching cnbc , and they have actually become worse than they were. Cramer is more powerful since Stewarts show, and has more of a following. If Machiavelli was still alive, he would be a God on CNBC. Im sure Pol Pot would be as well though.

[cognitivereddawn]

There is a great & good side to CNBC & that is the people who listen & learn from their expert guests. Furthermore, these personalities haven't lost their ability to learn & actually integrate new information in the following days' interviews instead of relentlessly repeating tired dogma about "the way things should be". That is what we want. The best interviews are when a guest with actual fiduciary responsibility for other people's money has more air time than the interviewer & is not shouted down or talked over by one of the panel of experts. There also has to be more relevant & credited authors sharing with the audience.

[fairandjust]

Great Work!

It would be helpful if business news was less biased to benefit the Wall Street crooks and liars.

CNBC is the worst and Kudlow so far far far right and so completely excusing the bad behavior of Corporate CEOs and Boards - it's disgusting.

[Revee]

I don't know why Kudlow is even on these shows. I never hear him talk of finance or economics; he is mostly ranting about politics!

[nini516]

SANTELLI & CRAMER - Happy now? When the shake-up occurs, and some of your friends and co-workers lose their jobs, how will you feel?

[Ping]

With Santelli and Cramer getting all of this face time on Huffpo.......I doubt they will get fired.

[Ping]

Progressives don't watch CNBC. Nor are any of the advertisers on CNBC marketing to progressives and liberals. This is a stupid idea and a complete waste of time.

[chrisryanj]

I am a progressive...and I watch CNBC. I'm guessing that at least one of those 20,000 that signed the petition would consider themselves progressive as well.

I think that what we have seen is that CNBC has turned the market into a political tool. Sure many Wall Streeters are conservatives, and most of the shows viewers are fiscally conservative. But at a time when many people are just now coming to understand the market and how it effects them as individuals, they are looking for information to help educate themselves. Balance and objectivity are what is needed right now, not just take after slanted take about how this is one party's fault.

[Ping]

Well I doubt you watch CNBC because you would know the difference between the commentary they offer and the news they deliver.

I bet your idea of fair and balanced is Rachel Maddow or Anderson Cooper. And with that I rest my case.

[JustAProgressive]

I too am a Progressive who watches CNBC. You don't have to be a socialist to be a progressive. I do think that most Progressives object strongly to the cowboy capitalism, unregulated and preying on the many disadvantaged and unsophisticated hard-working folks who constitute a large percentage of this country's population.

Advertisers don't care about political philosophy; they care about money and profits, neither of which is a four-letter word. They can't afford to alienate half the country; their competitors will eat their lunch.

[Ping]

Their competitors are Bloomberg, and Fox Business News. Have you ever watched either of those channels?

CNBC does a better job reporting the news than anyone else between 4am-4pm Monday thru Friday. Their commentary is provided by capitalist facist Republicans but that is the market they serve. Their anchors are real journalists and they ask decent questions.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Zucker has consistently backed his obviously compromised show hosts.

There is an old Greek saying: "The fish rots from the head first."

If change is to be brought to CNBC, Zucker will have to leave first.

[Avanti2]

Same also for MSNBC. That channel is also under Zucker's control.

[Adam Green - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi, this is Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee -- which ran the FixCNBC campaign and made the above video.

Thanks to all of you who signed the letter and complimented the video. Truly appreciated.

We were dedicated to making sure the 20,000 people who signed the letter actually had their voices heard, and this video helped make that happen.

Wanted to encourage folks to consider chipping in a few bucks to help us pay the (awesome) editor of the video. We don't need much, but anything you could chip in toward the costs are most appreciated. Here's the link:

http://www.actblue.com/page/fixcnbc

[Avanti2]

Form a PAC. Everyone else has one.

[Eyeswideopen1]

Nice job. This is the way to make change happen.

[grumbles]

There is nothing wrong with people expressing their own view, but for Heavan's sake, let us have some balance!!!!! I am so sick of Kudlow's harang and the endless diatribes of Cramer. If I see one more minute of Erin and her junior high schtick I will scream. The morning show with Joe and Karl often turns into a Republican campaign commercial. There are a few bright spots where financial considerations are not politically tied, but they are few and far between. It is possible to be a Democrat and be an investor. I know because I am..

[TerrapinCB]

Avanti2, you've been here one month and have written the equivalent of 10 posts a day. I think you reached your average here on this thread for today.

Just what we need, more hateful troIIs here on HP

[Avanti2]

Don't you believe in a diversity of opinion. CNBC has fact and commentary. If you don't want commentary then watch Bloomberg.

[TooManySecrets]

you aren't adding to diversity. You seem to be no value added.

If you wanted to rant, go back to fox

[kareemachan]

Wow, I just read over comments here, and you're right about Avanti2 - long on number of comments, short on content other than sniping and tr0//ing.

[WPMan]

How do we hold CNBC accountable? Install a MoveOn.org monitor? Put someone from the SEC on the set auditing them?
Let me suggest a way: Change the channel! If enough people do that then their ratings plummet and they go out of business. That's called accountability in the TV business.
CNBC commentators like Kudlow (note: commentators and not reporters) have a right to their opinions. Just like Olberman on sister network MSNBC. If you don't like it, change the channel.
Besides, anyone who buys a security based on a 3-minute analysis on a TV screen gets what they deserve.

[Genep34]

CNBC has already sold its soul. Only when they clean house at the top - the very top - will anyone see any change.

[westreal]

I signed that petition! My name is in there somewhere!