Bill Moyers Talks Media With Arianna Huffington (VIDEO)

TV and journalism legend Bill Moyers sat down with Arianna Huffington on Friday for a wide-ranging conversation about politics, spirituality and the media. Among other things, Moyers — whose new public television show, "Moyers & Company," starts on Sunday — addressed the importance media plays in democracy, his wishes to scale back the level of corporate control of the press, and the media's role in possibly hyping a war with Iran. Below, see all of Moyers' media-related comments.

Comments

[Drew Sargent]

11:53 PM on 01/16/2012

Bill is a champion of mine. We need his voice, intelligence and guidance on TV. As an apostle of his, I am very happy he has decided to return to PBS programming.

[Nick127]

11:41 AM on 01/16/2012

One of the last "real" journalist we have. Welcome back Bill.We missed you.

[littlepuffycloud]

10:43 AM on 01/16/2012

We were so happy to watch Moyers and Company last night..we missed Bill so much and as usual his show last night was informative, interesting and not a raised voice all hour. I'm not sure America's middle class will ever recover from the last 30 years of DC bending over backwards for the 1% while turning its back on the other 99%..Historians may look back and say 'America's democracy lasted 235 years and had a lousy run compared to the world's other great empires'..

[jal6641]

03:30 PM on 01/15/2012

They are both so smart.I am so happy that Moyers is back on the air. He is amazing.

[CJ40inWI]

03:00 PM on 01/15/2012

What I like about Moyers is he has guests from both sides of the aisle as well, and it's a discussion not some Fox/MSNBC shouting match. It's a real discussion. There isn't any hot button-dog whistle issues here either it's the stuff that doesn't get talked about that needs to be talked about.

[outloud]

02:44 PM on 01/15/2012

Bill Moyers is a giant among people.....thank you, Arianna.

[JustJoy7]

11:57 AM on 01/15/2012

Bill Moyers is an honest voice. I'm really happy to see him back.

[themainpoint]

11:31 AM on 01/15/2012

Utter nonsense. He is one of the few objective journalists we have left. Watch his work and note that he questions all sides and discusses and examines facts instead of spinning them.

[vtmilitia]

12:01 PM on 01/15/2012

He questioned the Vt State Police when he got a DWI in Arlington Vt,also expressed several opinions on Vt. DWI policies and police practices. Sorry folks being famous don't mean squat up here.

[syllable]

01:28 AM on 01/15/2012

Moyers' return is perfectly timed. There is a God.

[vtmilitia]

12:02 PM on 01/15/2012

And he has been known to enjoy a practicle joke from time to time.

[Johnd139]

10:20 PM on 01/14/2012

His return is the best occurance I AGES

[Mad-Hatter]

06:33 PM on 01/14/2012

Bill is great, and presents real informed news, so scary for the teabags

[PatrioticUSGlory]

02:09 AM on 01/15/2012

Is there any evidence of what you just said?

[Rachel Slur]

11:45 AM on 01/15/2012

yes, on the first friday of july 2004, his program NOW (albeit with his second in command) interviewed the bush speechwriter who worked on the Pro-Invasion of Iraq Speeches following 9-11,
and in Leopold and Loeb fashion got him to brag about the bush administration used the results of neurological research concerning the cause and effect of chemical releases in the brain on cognitive ability to manipulate 70% the public into believing that saddam attacked on 9-11.

[walsenberg]

01:14 PM on 01/16/2012

Well, your bio says, lawyer, ma, econ., doesn't this mean your smart enough to check out Moyer yourself and see his years of thoughtful and fair reporting?
AHHH, but you probably think faux is fair and balanced, right? Well, that says it all.

[themainpoint]

11:46 AM on 01/15/2012

? I think there are people from all political persuasions who appreciate real journalism.

[Redrocklass]

05:57 PM on 01/14/2012

Fantastic news among the flotsam and jetsam of living on earth today.

[itscraigdude]

04:18 PM on 01/14/2012

My initial impression is that the function of media is to sell add space. Why else would I have to watch a commercial prior to viewing this important discussion?

[littlepuffycloud]

05:03 PM on 01/14/2012

You can watch the commercial or pay to be on the site because like newspapers, sites have to get money somewhere..which do you want? Look at the commercial as a good time to get another beverage..whatever that bev may be..

[itscraigdude]

01:53 PM on 01/15/2012

Could you get me a diet coke while you're up?

[Viable Way]

09:37 PM on 01/14/2012

Ad space provides the content. Unfortunately it also usually sways the content to a middle ground or to a powerful group.

[syllable]

01:44 AM on 01/15/2012

Exactly. Our media are mere mouth pieces for the special interests of their corporate advertisers which can, when taken too far, run counter to the audiences best interest.
Eventually we get quick and tacky sale's pitches rather than enduring Respectability.

[Nancy000]

03:12 PM on 01/14/2012

This country has a host of problems which need to be addressed. Mr. Moyers will bring thoughtful dialogue to the table. For those who preferred hateful, heated and smear based rhetoric can simply choose not to watch.

[greyK]

04:36 PM on 01/14/2012

yesss! he has staying power for a reason, thoughtful, INVESTIGATIVE, information. not hours of talking points. I've seen him be very fair to the REPORT of his findings.

[PatrioticUSGlory]

02:11 AM on 01/15/2012

From the day he first appeared on television, through the years, and until today, can you name one example of where Moyers ever brought thoughtful dialgue to the table? Serious question.

[Genius]

02:29 AM on 01/15/2012

Do your own homework. If your really cared you would have already done it. Move along...

[FeelsLikeFrance]

08:46 PM on 02/23/2012

I agree with Patriotic. And I will add this: Bill Moyers is an egotistical, arrogant, chicken-liberal hack. As a "broadcast journalist" he is right up there with say, Regis Philbin.

[edejan]

02:04 PM on 01/14/2012

Glad to see Mr. Moyers back in the fray. His voice is so needed as is evidenced by many of the uninformed remarks on this thread.

[Johnd139]

10:21 PM on 01/14/2012

Applause

[PatrioticUSGlory]

02:11 AM on 01/15/2012

So this is the sound of one hand clapping...

[FeelsLikeFrance]

08:55 PM on 02/23/2012

Moyers will NEVER step into the fray. He is a chicken. He prefers the safety of a studio where no one can call him out and challenge him on his myopic view of the world.