Let ‘Em Have It
If the post debate spin tonight is as unfair and absurd as it has been in the past, it would be helpful if people would call the networks in large numbers and complain. It usually takes a few days to gel and it might be possible to turn an incorrect spin if we make an issue of it. If they don’t hear from us, they don’t realize that they are living in their own little media echo chamber.
Don’t jump to conclusions. Wait and watch for a while to see how it plays out. The press corpse might just see the obvious, for once, and realize that Bush’s canned, robotic responses are not persuasive and that the public really needs to hear something more than bumper sticker slogans. Bush’s cockiness and arrogance may just go too far this time and even the media may be put off by it. We know that Kerry is by far more intellectually prepared to answer questions and win in a fair debate. Perhaps the media will finally wipe the stardust from their eyes and recognise that outtakes from “Bonanza” are simply not adequate answers to serious questions.
But, if they immediately say that Kerry lost then call and complain. Tell them that you thought Kerry did great and that what you saw was the next president of the United States. Don’t accuse them of bias. Tell them you wonder if they watched the same debate you did.
If Bush spin grows tomorrow, call again. (Use those free nightime minutes. They aren’t good for anything else.) Let the media know that we are watching and listening and that they will hear from us.
My reader jake in the comment below says:
This tactic was at the backbone of the right’s onslaught on the media for the last 20 years. This phenomenon didn’t happen overnight. Straightening it out won’t happen quickly either. But it’s gotta start NOW.
And don’t email. That gets no attention. You have to call. You have to express yourself verbally and forcefully. You have to be clear, strong and organized. Don’t engage in twit-speak about your “feelings.” You also have to write letters…Paper ones, delivered in the mail (gasp! horrors!). As I said, I know because I’ve been in the belly of the beast forever.
ABC News
www.abcnews.com
47 W. 66th St
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 456-7477, 456-3796
Fax: (212) 456-4866, 456-2795
World News Tonight with Peter Jennings
Phone: (212) 456-4040
peterjennings@worldnewstonight.abcnews.com
Fax: (212) 456-2771
CBS News
www.cbsnews.com
542 W. 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
News Desk:
Phone: (212) 975-4321, 975-3691
Fax: (212) 975-1893
CNN
www.cnn.com
1 CNN Center
POB 105366
Atlanta, GA 30348
Phone: (404) 827-1500
Fax: (404) 827-1593, (404) 827-1784
Fox News
www.foxnews.com
Speakout@foxnews.com
Viewerservices@foxnews.com
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 301-3000
Fax: (212) 301-4224
MSNBC
www.msnbc.com
world@msnbc.com
One MSNBC Plaza
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: (201) 583-5000
Fax: (201) 583-5453
NBC News
www.nbc.com
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Phone: (212) 664-5900
Fax: (212) 664-2914
NPR
www.npr.org
635 Mass Ave
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 414-2323
Fax: (202) 414-3324
PBS
www.pbs.org
PO BOX 50880
Washington, DC 20091
Phone: (800) 356-2626
Get your phone in hand. Listen to the democratic voices in the spin room and make note of their key words and phrases. Read your regular blogs after the debate.
Then get on the phone and make some calls. Tonight. If they fuck this up, the media need to hear from us.