By Warner Todd Huston ——Bio and Archives--March 20, 2009
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“I believe in the president and his policies, and as broadcasters we have a responsibility to provide the airtime,” said another network insider. “But these frequent primetime requests are wreaking serious havoc with our schedule and our advertisers. Ratings are down everywhere and the airtime is costing us all significant dollars when we can least afford it.”Perhaps the networks only find that patriotism deep within when they “believe in the president and his policies”? So what of Bush? Let’s look at just a few examples of the “responsibility” these same networks felt between 2000 and 2009: Back in 2004, as Bush prepared to go on TV and talk about the administration’s position on Iraq, the Hollywood Reporter made mention that “Networks Won’t Air Bush’s Primetime Speech.” Instead they aired such shows as “Fear Factor,” the finale of “The Swan” and “A Beautiful Mind.” In 2005, the Networks dumped out early on a Bush speech to go to their regularly scheduled primetime programs. The following year, 2006, ABC and CBS announced their uncertainty of carrying a Bush primetime speech because he had the temerity of wanting to address the nation during May sweeps. Where was that “responsibility” for civic duty during those instances? Oh, I remember now. It was the eeeevil Bushhitler in office then. They HAD no obligation to civic duty as far as they were then concerned. No, airing TV reality shows was far more important in the Bush years than an informed citizenry. Anyone surprised?
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Warner Todd Huston’s thoughtful commentary, sometimes irreverent often historically based, is featured on many websites such as Breitbart.com, among many, many others. He has also written for several history magazines, has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows.
He is also the owner and operator of Publius’ Forum.