Fox Not Airing Obama Press Conference

NEW YORK — Fox became the first broadcast network to turn down a request by President Barack Obama for time, opting to show its drama "Lie to Me" on Wednesday instead of the president's prime-time news conference.

Fox will direct viewers interested in the news conference to Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network, which will both carry it. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and CNBC are all carrying the 8 p.m. EDT event, on Obama's 100th day in office.

This will be Obama's third prime-time news conference as president, a schedule that has caused some private grumbling among network executives. Carrying a news conference costs the four broadcast networks an estimated $10 million-plus in lost advertising revenue.

Yet with an economy in distress, two wars and now a swine flu outbreak, the pressure on networks to agree to Obama's request as a public service is enormous.

Executives at Fox, owned by News Corp., would not comment on the decision Monday. It's not without precedent for the network; Fox didn't carry a prime-time speech by President George W. Bush in November 2001 despite a request from the White House.

"I can't imagine it was politically motivated," said Shelly Palmer, industry analyst and host of "MediaBytes," a daily show about technology and the media. "I'm assuming it was financially motivated."

The news conference comes at the start of a ratings "sweeps" months, where viewership is watched closely to set local advertising rates. Not only will Fox keep its advertising for the hour, it will offer the only broadcast entertainment program, potentially giving a boost to the new series "Lie to Me," about a crime-fighting expert who can spot liars. "American Idol" follows "Lie to Me" on the schedule.

The Fox broadcast network was the most likely to have made this decision. Unlike ABC, CBS and NBC, Fox does not have its own news division to analyze the event. Even though the broadcast network is in more homes, cable's Fox News Channel traditionally gets more viewers for its coverage of these events than the Fox network.

An executive at one of the three other broadcasters, who asked for anonymity because the conversations were private, said that network's executives had expressed concern to the White House about the frequency of prime-time news conferences and the financial sacrifice they were making in carrying the event. The executive said it was hoped the administration would show more flexibility in working with networks to find the best times to schedule the events.

Comments

[Gronk32]

All of this begs the question, is side C of electric ladyland or is it not the best rock and roll album side ever?

[EternalHope]

Agreed. Well it's hard to pick a best best, but you can't beat Jimi.

[Neonmoon]

The Fox network did not air Obama, Fox News did. No different than when one or more of the big three networks did not air President Bush. Are you saying that just because Fox did not air the presser you were deprived of watching it? Give me a break.

[Bocababs]

For a Station not carrying it on Cable, they sure had a lot to "smarm about" afterwards, beginning with that A$$ Clown, Dick Morris, sitting there with Bill O'Reilly. Like I said before, I can take about 30 seconds of them, and then, they insult my intelligence.

[jspgiunta]

If you can't take more than 30 sec., I would guess it's rather a lack of intelligence than any kind of insult.

[p1thon]

I feel Fox refusing the President time is typical for them. In the past have commented on President Obama lack of patriotism. What about not supporting our President ? Is that not unpatriotic?
How about referring to him as Mr. Obama instead of President Obama. I find that offensive. Does anyone else?

[Punkynsnow]

Yes, I also find that offensive.

[PassingShot]

Nothing on Fox surprises me.

[jspgiunta]

I'm sure you felt the same way of course, when the main stream media didn't broadcast prime time speechs from Bush, right? And, I remember a lot worse name that they opposition called Bush, rather than "Mr."

[JDHART]

Why doesn't Fox News care about the country? I bet they don't wear flag pins either!

[SnapShots]

What people consistently overlook is the fac that the airwave licenses are 'owned' but you and me. Fox shouldn't have the right to turn down such a broadcast. What comes around goes around. Wait 'til Fox wants/needs something.

[constitutional 1]

Government forced broadcast? Rather Chavez like isnt it? What if we didnt turn the tv on at all?

[imworking4me]

"Fair and Balanced"--my ass!!!

[Synnerman]

Chavez? Is that all you got? Really...try an actual argument rather than "gotcha."

[jsehgal]

We should impress upon our representatives in the government to pass two additional laws which should go something like this:
1) Two hours per month of Public Service programming, including Presidential Addresses will be the condition of renewing any broadcasting licences.
2) Resurrect the Fair Time laws to ensure that propaganda by any type is balanced by counter arguments.
People with excessive money gotten by ill advised means should not be allowed so much power as they have had for the last 30 years. Voices of dissent to the right wing propaganda by billionaires are not heard because they have been muffled in the name of gathering money in the hands a few rich, many of whom are now under investigation for fraud.

[jspgiunta]

Maybe you should move to Communist China, where you'll feel more at home.

[jspgiunta]

Grow up. Networks pay for licensing the airwaves, and they have a right to decide how to program as they see fit. The mainstream media have excercised their right to refuse to air prime time speeches, long before there ever was a Fox Network.

[jspgiunta]

Can't say as I blame Fox News. It's not like Obama has ever really held a press conference. I used to be a reporter. What Obama is holding are well orchestrated speeches (which includes his "questions") allowed by the networks during prime time because they have a vested interest in promoting his message. Look back and see how many prime time slots were granted to Clinton during his first term. I bet Obama has him beat right now; it's only been 100 days and he's been granted three prime time slots in three months! I'd like to see him hold a real press conference, where he doesn't have a pre-approved script of questions, from a select group of "journalists" where he times out the number of questions, and his responses, to fit neatly into an hour. These sessions of his are almost choreographed, for cripes sake!

[Badmax]

I bet Fox News would interrupt Lie For Me if a high-speed car chase was taking place.

[sixchair]

Or if a bear was stuck up a tree

[jsehgal]

Well said!

[Neonmoon]

Fox News does not air "LIe TO me"....that would be the Fox network.

[John Perozzi]

It's "Lie To Me", not Lie For Me. And it doesn't air on Fox News.

[juxtapose]

Hate to say anything positive about Fox, but this assertion is just not true. I had a meeting so I missed the press conference, when I got home and checked the DVR, I had the press conference in place of Lie to Me. They definitely did run it in my market (NC).

[Littledog]

Thanks to W Mr. foreigner can now own WSJ, Fox etc. I'd rather we did sell our licenses to foreigners, actually. Do you want China to buy GE with their big bucks and get the airplane engines as a lagniappe? Or Russia to by CNN. That's what happens when you(1) send your jobs and money overseas and (2) let one foreigner buy and you'll have to let the rest of them, (3) "select" someone like Bush or Reagan as front men for big banks and industry execs, giving them big tax breaks to ship our jobs overseas. Right now ALL our penicillin is made and China and 90% of all our meds are from overseas. And if we have a problem and they don't want us to have them, why it only takes an entire year to get the penicillin works up again...Many dead by then.

[justoverit333]

Who needs Faux News anyway. Can't believe
anything you hear. Bunch of goofballs vying
for attention.

[sugarfree]

I Know That Right.
I read what how Bill Orielly baited Dennis Miller into Slamming Sentor Spector for switching party
as if this man has to answer to Dennis Miller. Than Orielly told Miller that President Obama made
a swipe at FOXNEWS and the Tea Party. Miller sound off like a MAD-PIT-BULL forming from both
sides of him mouth.
I read about Dennis Miller i know why he hates, he is 5:7 and has had a hard life nothing comming easy and lasting long. SNL was the best show he work on, he work as a commentator on monday
night football, but was let go after two season and was ranked as the worst monday night football
commentator of all time. check out this site (www.counterpunch.org) if this is true Miller sold out the
RED,WHTE&BLUE.

[Neonmoon]

You must have Fox mixed up with MSNBC. HAH!

[iceman1980]

I saw http://thenoz.wordpress.com/ posted some of the Foxes Executive emails that were leaked..

[slh1432]

He didn't say a thing.. Fox you didn't miss anything, except you'd miss the money you would have made by showing his same ole same ole same ole speech. All Obama does is waste money, fly bys(he claims he didn't know about) Stim. plans that will cost us 3 times what we paid today. Trips every week to some place, at over 400,000.00 a shot.
Fox keep up the good work. Tell Obama if you wanted to play soft ball you'd go to a field with men, not sit in a little room and toss you softball questions that we already know the pat answers. The pre-selected news persons, and questions is so lame. He wants to control every bit so his kool aid followers keep loving him.

[Left is Wrong]

Great post!!!

[FMAinMass]

Let's see. Flu pandemic, Pakistan lets Taliban closer to Nuclear weapons, car companies facing bankruptcy, more economic issues to confront - like credit cards acting like the mafia, Iraq violence up, any word from Iran, torture - anyone going to be held accountable? No, there's absolutely nothing of importance to talk about.

[Left is Wrong]

Did he talk about the government taking over private industry? How about GM (Government Motors)? Nice to see he fired the CEO and then the company worsens. Did mention government control of public companies? Did he talk about people on his administration failed to pay their taxes? Did he talk about the record spending and how our children’s grandchildren will still be paying for the deficit he created? Did he talk about the dems allowing AIG execs to get bonuses? These are important issues that I am sure were not discussed. So why watch him talk nonsense and get softball questions? Not to mention he seriously needs to take a class on public speaking. I know Bush couldn't give a speech to save his life, but he would at least speak at a normal pace. Sure the words were all jumbled and made no sense, but at least he got it over with. Obamas speeches have no substance and worse yet he takes three minutes to say thank you and adds a dozen "um's in the mix.

[ObamAtomic]

Two scoundrels applauding fox !
Where you two been all this years while the pillage when around?

[Punkynsnow]

They were probably profiting from the pillage. Now they're mad that the gravy train has stopped.

[FrankinSac]

These are the left-overs in that 20% that still Geo.Bush was a great president!

[Hank10303]

How stupid are you - did you really think Bush held news conferences by comparison. What about all the reporters Bush black listed because they didn't write good things about him. I take back my initial comment you aren't stupid; you are ignorant which is far worst because you know the facts do not logically match your extremist views. If you love your party above your country you are not patriotic; you are near treasonous. Your party could tell you to revolt and you would, right or wrong. You and your party are shameful, deceitful, despicable liars. The lowest of the low.

P.S. FOX NOISE IS NOT A CABLE NEWS STATION SO WHY WOULD IT COVER A NEWS EVENT

[Schoolgirl666]

They originally said they would not air it, but changed their minds.....they must have finally realized with all our unemployment the first discretionary spending to go is the cable.....

[JodyMcg]

Lie to me.... very funny! That's all Fox does!!! That should be the network's tagline. Lie to me! The show will be canceled long before 8 years and Obama will still be going strong. Fox news fair and balanced? One has to wonder if the entire network is becoming so unbalanced as to declare itself mentally unstable. CENSORING Obama's press conference is just one more lame attempt by Fox to control the message. They are taking lessons for Chavez state run media... or maybe Chavez is taking lessons from Fox.

[Read Books]

This headline "Fox Not Airing Obama Press Conference" is rather misleading and nitpicking. Not only did FoxNews air the conference, it had a follow-up hour of commentary!

There is no nead for redundant coverage on Fox when FoxNews, along with CNN and all the other *news* channels carried the live broadcast.

[Hank10303]

FOX NOISE HAS NO REGARD FOR FACTS; FOX NOISE COMMENTATORS ARE FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE AND FOX NOISE IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO EVERY JOURNALIST THAT HAS BEEN, IS OR WILL BE EVEN AS FAR BACK HAS HIGH SCHOOL. THEY ARE

Shameful, Deceitful, Despicable liars. The lowest of the low.

[jdc8558]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they had it on Fox, good reporting Huffpost.