"The Responsibility of Intellectuals," a three-part program, aired this weekend on the Wisconsin Public Radio show, "To the Best of our Knowledge". Although the program focuses more on American power in the world generally, the issues raised have additional resonance for listeners attuned to American foreign and domestic policies related to Israel/Palestine. Interviews with Noam Chomsky and academics who question the exploitation of anthropologists in the war on terror juxtapose with a later one with Christopher Hitchens -- in which he decries the political correctness of the Left.
In the close of the interview of Noam Chomsky, he raised the subject of NPR censorship:
"...in fact on paper, since we're on NPR, the co-host of All Things Considered Robert Siegel wrote that I'm the one person they'll never allow on their prime-time program."
The host of the show read a rebuttal by Siegel in which he denied having said such a thing or having the power at NPR to ban anyone and threw in some colorful remarks about conspiracy theorists along with a harrowing account of an interview with Chomsky. As a commenter on the site's facebook page notes, there is at least one reference to Siegel's public statements about Chomsky in print, from the Duke Chronicle, 1994:
I was surprised to hear National Public Radio's Robert Siegel, on his own, volunteer that independent thinkers like Noam Chomsky are not welcome on NPR's news and discussion programs.
It was the last day of a book tour for the co-host of "All Things Considered," and he was signing copies of "The NPR Interviews," which he edited, at Durham's Regulator book store. He was accompanied by WUNC General Manager Bill Davis.
After the first wave of books had been signed, I approached Siegel and expressed concern over the lack of range in political commentary on NPR. I explained that I felt that the public interest was not very fully explored, and that an "inside the beltway" mentality and bias prevails. Siegel made a token statement of agreement, saying that it would be worthwhile to find more voices, but quickly limited it by saying, "However, we wouldn't be interested in airing the views of such media and political critics as Noam Chomsky."'
So, Siegel is on record about Chomsky in paper as quoted in the Duke Chronicle. In his rebuttal, Siegel claims that any editorial power he had at the network ended in the 80's. Siegel's story about his interview from hell with Chomsky years ago might explain why he personally might refuse ever to interview him again, but it wouldn't account for why he would say in 1994 that "we wouldn't be interested in airing the views of such media and political critics as Noam Chomsky."
Siegel also disclaimed that Chomsky is banned from NPR by mentioning Chomsky's recent interview by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro. But in that piece, Garcia-Navarro, who is stationed in Israel/Palestine, spoke to Chomsky as the subject of a news story-- he had been denied entry to the West Bank by Israel. That news item was covered by several networks. It wasn't as if NPR gave any airtime to Chomsky's views.
Note that Siegel doesn't say here that Chomsky is the "the one person they'll never allow on their prime-time program" (Chomsky's line). Rather, Chomsky is either the one identified intellectual among several whom Siegel considers uacceptable as NPR commenters or the personification of what Siegel considers too fringe for NPR listeners. Still, after decades of hearing NPR interviewing right-wing nutjobs for "balance" in its commentary, one can't be surprised if Chomsky took Siegel's words at Duke personally -- especially when it took making the news to finally get a call from NPR.
Its petty considering the number of people that Norman Finkelstein and Noam Chomsky have condemned dismissively.
It’s not petty. Chomsky and Finkelstein don’t host/own MSM outlets.
The end.
You know what’s petty? Your vendetta to slander any Jew with the temerity to call out your “precious jewel” for the war machine that it is.
Haha this is so funny, the new Wittyan crime to trump even antisemitic antisemitism, mentioned by the Dick in more than one thread now: “condemn”
“Bohooo, Finkelstein condemns people, bohooo”
From your tone, one could think by condemning people (and what people, Zionist criminals most of the time) they would be gassed or something.
It doesn’t matter whether Siegel meant Chomsky personally–the larger point is the more important one, and that is that people to the left of the smug complacent NPR liberals are not welcome in the MSM.
(I don’t listen that much to “All Things Considered” and when I do, it really is for the soothing tone of the commentary. If you set aside any political convictions you might have and just listen, there’s a weirdly comforting vibe about the show. If a 10 km asteroid were on a collision course with Earth and there was nothing we could do about it, I’d tune in to NPR and probably feel better about the whole thing.)
“(I don’t listen that much to “All Things Considered” and when I do, it really is for the soothing tone of the commentary. If you set aside any political convictions you might have and just listen, there’s a weirdly comforting vibe about the show. If a 10 km asteroid were on a collision course with Earth and there was nothing we could do about it, I’d tune in to NPR and probably feel better about the whole thing.)”
:D
That’s actually the whole point of the show. It’s funny, I have not listened to that show in decades, yet I remember the same impression of that show. Pretty clever mind manipulation going on in their programming, no?
Anyway, what is needed is a lot less npr type propaganda (and npr vs chomsky type “battles” to cleverly deceive people into thinking there is any meaningful conflict in the israel occupied media machine) and a lot more real progressive/left views that really are giving alternative viewpoints to those of the zionist/corporate oligarchy.
exactly, hayate. One would think there were only six thoughtful people on the planet. The current batch of pundits and the ‘anointed’ “public intellectuals” are old, tired, worn out, running on inertia. — no, change that: listening to the Sunday talk shows and much of Terri Gross and NPR is the equivalent of listening to the DooWop specials on Public television during begathon: a bunch of the same old recycled geezers who long ago lost any talent they might have had and who are squeezing out one more gig to pay off the kid’s college tuition.
I don’t subscribe to political “branding” — have no clue what is meant by “progressive” or “left wing,” or why I should care. I DO know that I’ve heard and read many thoughtful Americans who are directors of departments of international studies at major universities, or authors, or journalists with extensive experience and presence in the locations they write about Augustus Richard Norton, who has extensive knowledge of Hezbollah, Lebanon, and Egypt, comes to mind. Norton argues compellingly that Hezbollah has evolved into an organization that serves and representatives a broad swathe of the Lebanese people, so obviously HIS perspective will never be given air time to challenge the zionist narrative that Hezbollah = terrurists.
Pep’s (progressives except for Palestine) dominate the NPR host positions.
There were employees who complained about a “pervasive cronyism” at NPR in regard to who went up the ladder at NPR. Host of shows etc. Allegedly there was an outside group called into investigate and came out with a report on how things work or worked at NPR when it came to getting those jobs. That report has never been released.
link to seminal.firedoglake.com
Leen June 8th, 2010 at 6:26 am
57
In response to 300SDL @ 44 (show text)
Come on Juan Williams has more liberal views on the middle east than most people here. If you are unaware that former employees of NPR made powerful claims of “pervasive cronyism” at NPR. Especially at the top levels and who ends up being host of shows. Look at Terry Gross who never allows another side on her program in regard to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, Iran etc. She clearly has an agenda. I don’t believe she even did a show about the Israeli raid on the humanitarian aid ship. Terry not only allows guest to repeat the debunked statement “Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map” (debunked by Professor Juan Cole) Terry repeats it herself on her program.
An outside research group was allegedly brought in to study the “pervasive cronyism” claims by employees. That report has never been released.
link to current.org
link to current.org
link to current.org
“The agreement requires that neither party discuss the terms of settlement; Davis and her attorney Lynne Bernabei would only say they were happy with the outcome. Davis is not now working for NPR, she says, “but anything can happen.”
Just after it was filed, NPR said the suit was “wrong on the facts and entirely without merit” and that it would ask the court for a dismissal.
Court records show the case had not gotten to the deposition stage, though Bernabei had asked the court to compel NPR to turn over documents related to employee salaries, financial records and other matters.
Davis, who worked at NPR for 15 years, as a reporter, producer and host of Weekend All Things Considered, has said the company year after year refused to give her a permanent correspondent’s position while it gave such posts to less qualified men. She also accused the network of paying her a lower salary than male employees received for similar work.”
The host of Talk of the Nation Neil Conan has had John Bolton on numerous times and allows him to repeat unsubstantiated claims about Iran with absolutely no challenges.
Scott Simon has allowed guest to do this.
Diane Rehm is a bit better on issues of the middle east.. but not much.
link to fair.org
“How Public Is Public Radio?
A study of NPR’s guest list
By Steve Rendall and Daniel Butterworth
When National Public Radio was launched in 1971, it promised to be an alternative to commercial media that would “promote personal growth rather than corporate gain” and “speak with many voices, many dialects.”
In 1993, when FAIR published a study of NPR’s guestlist that challenged the network’s alternative credentials (Extra!, 5/93), incoming NPR president Delano Lewis was still boasting about being a place where the unheard get heard (Humanist, 9/93): “Our job is to be a public radio station. So therefore the alternative points of view, the various viewpoints, should be aired.”
————————————————–
link to fair.org
The Illusion of Balance
NPR’s coverage of Mideast deaths doesn’t match reality
By Seth Ackerman
National Public Radio’s coverage of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has been the target of criticism from all sides, especially since the start of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000. One common complaint from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian critics is that NPR and other outlets downplay or ignore acts of violence by the “other side.”
For example, a press release (8/12/01) from CAMERA, a conservative pro-Israel media watch group, accused NPR of skimming over the killing of a Jewish settler in a news report that focused on the funeral of a Palestinian Hamas activist killed by Israeli security forces. Similarly, Arab-American media critic Ali Abuminah (8/20/01) has criticized NPR for “cursory, inconsistent and wholly inadequate” coverage of Israeli attacks on Palestinians.
To examine these competing claims, FAIR studied NPR’s coverage of Israeli-Palestinian violence, examining how often NPR reported fatal attacks on Israelis and Palestinians. The study looked at all NPR News coverage in the first six months of 2001 (1/1/01-6/30/01). For a description of FAIR’s methodology as well as our complete data, see “Study of NPR’s Coverage of Deaths in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.”
“All Things Considered.”. Yet another Zionist, intellectually dishonest, hasbaric, Witty-esque confabulation. Hey! We’re NPR! all things are considered here, so you don’t have to think for yourself! Ignore that ethnic cleansing in Gaza, we got it covered with our profile of Abe Foxman squaring off against Alan Dershowitz! What? Emily henochowicz? Furkan doran? Tristan Anderson? Rachel corrie? Never heard of ‘em. And hey, we’re ALL things considered.
oddly enough i heard this interview
words can be used for many things
i’ve always liked the sound of ‘obfuscation’
the title ^ though reminds me of a little ditty
i would leave on the top of ‘usa today’ boxes
—
the cia is fbin’
flyn’ drugs in
domestic spyn’
bush is lyin’
oh yeah
meant
bush two
also
and …
Yet another one. We’ve all met this type at one point or another and walked away with a little bud of nausea in our system. Truly the scum of the earth.
Siegel complains about an interview from hell that he had with Chomsky.
Why doesn’t he publish it?
The opening of the article may be confusing, given that the rest of the story is about Chomsky’s exclusion from NPR: “‘The Responsibility of Intellectuals,’ a three-part program, aired this weekend on the NPR show, “To the Best of our Knowledge.”
The program is a product of WISCONSIN public radio, not NPR.
Good point. I should have remembered that. While we’re on that topic, another really good show put out by Wisconsin Public Radio is “Here on Earth.”
Donald wrote re: NPR’s All Things Considered:
(I don’t listen that much to “All Things Considered” and when I do, it really is for the soothing tone of the commentary. If you set aside any political convictions you might have and just listen, there’s a weirdly comforting vibe about the show. If a 10 km asteroid were on a collision course with Earth and there was nothing we could do about it, I’d tune in to NPR and probably feel better about the whole thing.)
Hilarious, but spot on!
I agree; NPR is totally useless as to its panel discussions of foreign affairs, especially regarding the I-P situation & the US role in it. They glide right over every red button flashing on the current dashboard. It’s like watching & listening to two geezers playing checkers.
To understand the US media’s coverage of Israel/Palestine where the occupier is portrayed as the victim is to appreciate that our NPR and our New York Times have nothing over the media the Germans had under the Nazis.
Jews get overwrought when mention is made of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.” It’s an interesting read.
Hitler writes in Mein Kampf that he had no innate skill at persuading a crowd, so he observed how Jews did it. Jews in Germany dominated media; Hitler copied Jewish tactics.
Hasbara did not pop out of the atmosphere just in the last 3 years.
Yes, PG, and Goebbels’s mentor was the Jewish American ad man, Bernays–even Beck has discovered that; he just has not put two and two together–it would be fund if he chalked up on his board the roots of the hasbara he regularly spouts in the same way he follows Soros’s impact on
Obama’s current policies, e.g., regarding oil drilling depth bans in the Gulf, funding Brazil’s oil company (a huge Soros investment) to the tune of billions of dollars, although Brazil drills much deeper, etc.
Amy Klein on HuffPo: The Real Myth – and Gift, of Jewish Choseness
Pretty low quality, uninteresting interview – they did their best to make Chomsky come off as somebody simply whining about not being invited on NPR.
Cholmsky does not whine. States facts, figures. Stands on solid ground.
Yes. What I was saying is that the interview was aired that way, purposely. They could have talked about other things besides him not having been invited before, it was rather childish the way it was framed. The whole point for the interview was to read Siegel’s letter at the end stating that Chomsky was “wrong”.
“we wouldn’t be interested in airing the views of such media and political critics as Noam Chomsky.”
that would also apply to Archbishop Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Finkelstein, Amy Goodman or anyone else who express an opposing view to NPR’s clear pro Israel stance.
Scott Simon, Terry Gross, Neil Conan all allowed unsubstantiated claims to be repeated about Iraq on their programs. All have endlessly allowed unsubstantiated claims about Iran to be repeated. “Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map” Iran has a “nuclear weapons program” instead of a “nuclear program”
Hell I have heard Terry Gross not only allow guest to repeat this horseshit she repeats it herself. Have heard her do this over and over again.
Pattern at NPR with many of the host of NPR shows. Damn obvious.
I have been profoundly disillusioned with NPR over the past few years, myself. I stopped donating to them at least a year ago, and now I can’t even listen to them on the radio.
I have heard elsewhere that Robert Siegel stated in public that Noam Chomsky’s views are excluded at NPR. If Siegel disagrees, let him cite when Chomsky has been interviewed on NPR. By many accounts, Chomsky is one of the world’s most distinguished intellectuals, and a fierce critic of US and Israeli foreign policy.
For a long time (I haven’t checked recently) NPR’s reporter to cover Israel/Palestine was Linda Gradstein, whose husband is an Israeli. He is in the IDF. Occupation: Sniper.
Another NPR story: some years ago, Terry Gross planned an episode of Fresh Air, in which she would interview a “moderate” West Bank rabbi. At least, that was her plan. However, all the West Bank rabbis she interviewed turned out to be extremists. So she abandoned the project.
Psychopathic god and Citizen.
What a Shock! Hitler had admiration for Muslims?
link to en.wikipedia.org
Hitler expressed admiration for the Muslim military tradition and directed Himmler to initiate Muslim SS Divisions as a matter of policy. According to one confidant, Hitler stated in private, “The Mohammedan religion too would have been much more compatible to us than Christianity. Why did it have to be Christianity with its meekness and flabbiness …”
I heard Hitler liked trout with butter sauce. Vile, nasty, anti-semitic trout.
‘Cooking show prepares Hitler’s favourite food’
link to brisbanetimes.com.au
“I heard Hitler liked trout with butter sauce. Vile, nasty, anti-semitic trout.”
Bugger, and I love trout. Now I’ll have to stop eating it. Hope hiter didn’t like chocolate.
He liked chocolate–and cake too.
hayate ~ The bad news is that apparently Hitler loved chocolate and ate “up to 2 pounds a day”. No wonder he was fvcked up.
link to socyberty.com
Argh…..
I heard he was a vegetarian. And wore trousers. And gave public speeches.
Mother of God, Dennis Kucinich is Hitler. In fact, he’s one-upped Hitler ‘cos he’s a VEGAN, the crafty so-and-so.
Kucinich is a vegan? No wonder he’s such a wishy washy putz.
[ducks]
You want he should take lessons from Lieberman, unleashing severe
hasbara swords of great contrast to his wishy-washy putz puss?
If he dueled libelman….
I am willing to bet The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem is about to make an appearance )0.0(