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Title: Top Republican Investigator Rep. Issa Indicates Openness To Probing Saudi Ownership Of Fox News
Source:
Think Progress
URL Source: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/23/issa-probe-fox/
Published: Feb 24, 2010
Author: Think Progress
Post Date: 2010-02-24 08:54:28 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 2900
Comments: 66
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal owns the fourth largest stake in News Corp — the parent company of Fox News — making him the largest shareholder outside the family of News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch. According to the Financial Times, News Corp announced today that it is purchasing a $70 million dollar stake in Prince Alwaleed’s Rotana Media, a Middle Eastern music and news conglomerate. Boasting about the increased cooperation between the Murdoch empire and his own media corporation, Prince Alwaleed said, “This is a qualitative leap not just for Rotana but for the whole Arab world.” Because Prince Alwaleed has publicly acknowledged that he has forced Fox News to edit its coverage he disliked, conservative activists have attacked the business partnership as “really dangerous for America.” At CPAC, ThinkProgress asked Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who serves as the top Republican investigator as the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, about the Saudi/Fox relationship. Issa said he was troubled in particular by foreign investors buying up American broadcasting companies. Asked specifically about Prince Alwaleed’s ownership of Fox News, Issa initially scoffed and assured us that he wasn’t worried because he “know[s] Rupert Murdoch.” But after being prodded about examples where Prince Alwaleed has indeed influenced Fox News coverage directly, Issa said he is open to holding an investigation of the network: ISSA: Well I think foreign investment and foreign debt should be a concern to everyone. Those who buy trophy buildings or make contributions are probably less of a risk than those who ultimately own foreign national companies. And I would be most concerned with, I am most concerned about ownership of companies including broadcast companies by countries that may have another agenda. TP: Well what do you think about Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, he’s one of the owners of Fox News. He owns the largest stake in News Corp. outside the Murdoch family. ISSA: Well, I know Rupert Murdoch so I would certainly say he signs onto Rupert’s agenda, not the other way around. TP: He’s said in the past that he’s dictated their content and kind of bragged about that. Is that a problem to you? ISSA: Well, he obviously doesn’t when you watch Fox [...] TP: If evidence surfaces of bin Talal dictating their content more would you call for an investigation? ISSA: Look, if you’ve got a single investigation I would suggest you turn it over to our people to look into. [...] If you’ve got a specific bent, please turn it in for our committee on national security to work on, and I’d be happy to work on. Watch it: When Issa says Fox News’ coverage does not seem to reflect Prince Alwaleed’s agenda, he isn’t taking into account the Saudi billionaire’s full range of interests. For instance, Prince Alwaleed owns a $4.3 billion dollar stake in Citigroup, and has announced that he opposes President Obama’s financial reforms like the banker speculation tax. On Fox News, the bank tax and other financial reforms have been smeared with misinformation and outright lies. In an interview with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto last month, Prince Alwaleed emphasized the importance of the “strategic alliance” of America’s reliance on Saudi oil. Other Saudi officials have called efforts to build a clean energy economy in America Saudi Arabia’s “biggest threat.” Although little is known about the extent to which Prince Alwaleed weighs in on Fox content, Fox News dedicates much of its coverage to attacking clean energy legislation that would lead to American energy independence. If clean energy legislation dies, America will continue to be a foreign oil-dependent nation, which would benefit Prince Alwaleed and other members of the Saudi royal family.
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#1. To: go65 (#0)
Fox News...Harkin Energy...
Day 3 of Packrat refusing to register here.
LOL...so, the Progressives continue to attack the messenger--aka FoxNews-- instead of acknowledging that their message of massively-expanding the Federal Leviathan without regard to outta control national deficits is simply not marketable to the majority of the American electorate, eh?! Fer years, the GOP was known as the STOOOPID Party, but it's obvious that the DemonRATS now have that title all sewn up fer the foreseeable future. Regards...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, Don't like Fox News? Don't watch it. Jeez - you people are lame. You've got the freakin' House, Senate, Potus. You have 98 percent of the mainstream media. You have Hollywood, Academia. And all you can whine about is Fox News. And Sarah Palin
Obammy sez it You crack me up. I suppose we should all watch lilly white MSNBC? rotfl.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
The problem Mud is that Fox news doesn't complain about Republicans expanding federal government, nor do they point out the hypocrisy of Republicans taking credit and boasting about stimulus spending that they opposed. And, I've yet to see Fox news criticize the GOP for opposing restoration of PAYGO rules or any efforts to reduce the long-term deficit.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
I don't advocate getting news from a single source, sorry.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
Why not balance Fair and Balanced Saudi News with al jazeera?
" Here on LP, the proof is the accusing poster's responsibility. We don't do anyone's homework for them. (And shouldn't be cajoled into doing it.) Goldi-Lox posted on 2010-02-21"
So let's see - the Saudi Royal Family influences Fox news' coverage of events, and you are angry at those who point it out? Need I remind you guys where the 9/11 attackers came from?
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
Need I remind you guys where the 9/11 attackers came from? Shhhhhh.... you are making too much sense for the neocons to absorb in such a short time. Which is why I don't believe that even they believe the official story.
Riiight...(laughing)
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
You have anything to back that ridiculous claim up, beyond a Huff Puff or dailykos blogger doing the Leftwing version of 'birther' nonsense? Let me know. I'd love to see the link.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Always amusing to see a 9/11 truther display their own paranoia. Ignorance is a choice, as you show it here.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
So you think that it would have been wrong for us to attack the nation where they were current citizens, educated and probably trained for the task? lolol And you call me paranoid. I think we should attack Iran instead. I'm sure they must have had some part in it and it would make your Israel employer happy. lolol
Your side owns the country. Petition them to outlaw foreign influence of news. Better yet -- just get them to outlaw Fox News altogether.
Obammy sez it What the hell is a neocon? Wanna define it for us?
Obammy sez it I think we should attack Iran instead. I'm sure they must have had some part in it and it would your Israel employer happy. lolol 1. Your lack of knowledge about the 9/11 hijackers is on display here in spades. The 'training' didn't occur in Saudi Arabia. IN fact, most of the technical training occured in FLORIDA. 2. Attack Saudi Arabia for 19 of its citizens, who were also keen on assasinating the entire Royal Family, huh? Too easy...(chuckle) 3. Ah, and now we get to the 'truth' about YOU, mininglead. Its always in the end 'Da JOOOOOOOOS' with you clowns. My employer? Yeah, you are paraniod as this ridiculous comment demonstrates conclusively. Game, set and match, wacko.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
miningleads use of the term 'neocon' is code for da JOOOOOOSSSSS! (laughing)
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Its always in the end 'Da JOOOOOOOOS' with you clowns. My employer? Yeah, you are paraniod as this ridiculous comment demonstrates conclusively. Game, set and match, wacko. You said it not me. I'm against the freeloading Israelis. LOLOL
So you think that it would have been wrong for us to attack the nation where they were current citizens, educated and probably trained for the task? lolol And you call me paranoid. I think we should attack Iran instead. I'm sure they must have had some part in it and it would your Israel employer happy. lolol 1. Your lack of knowledge about the 9/11 hijackers is on display here in spades. The 'training' didn't occur in Saudi Arabia. IN fact, most of the technical training occured in FLORIDA. 2. Attack Saudi Arabia for 19 of its citizens, who were also keen on assasinating the entire Royal Family, huh? Too easy...(chuckle) 3. Ah, and now we get to the 'truth' about YOU, mininglead. Its always in the end 'Da JOOOOOOOOS' with you clowns. My employer? Yeah, you are paraniod as this ridiculous comment demonstrates conclusively. And we went in Afghanistan for one noncitizen living in a cave directing a worldwide network from a cellphone. lolol And you can prove they didn't train in SA? Yeah right, it's hard to prove a negative especially when the only proof is from another "on my honor" or we won't sell you the goods dictatorship.
Talal himself, is that a good enough source for you? Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
And one of your favorite sources for news: Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
You can readily look it up as it has quite a history and I don't want to bore the more knowledgeable posters here with a rehash of the details.
Uh Badeye.... Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
Must be on a lunch break.....those union rules, you know. lolol
We went into Afghanistan when its government insisted it would continue to provide 'safe harbor' to al Qaeda, allow terror training camps, AND keep bin Laden safe. As for 'prove they didn't train in SA' read the 9/11 Commission report.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Yes, I've seen this...you have a pertinent point related to miningleads insane claims about 9/11? Doubt it...
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
WND is one of my 'favorite sources of news'? Ah, no.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
As for 'prove they didn't train in SA' read the 9/11 Commission report. The 911 commission admits there was much information they didn't have time to cover as they were given 18 months to do the job and that was it. The circular argument again. The Afghanis must have had one too many donkeys in their cavalry so we invaded.
Basically, you don't have anything to back up your claim. Not surprising, thats always the case with you nutcase truthers.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
So, you actually believe the decision to liberate Afghanistan from its Taliban/Al Queda oppressors was THAT arbitrary? I realize yer--probably--just joking, but that sorta comment betrays a simple-minded lack of understanding about the War Against Islamofascism and the mindset of the Enemy we face therein...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, TeaPartiers ROCK...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, Glenn Beck does, from 5:00-6:00 PM EST (M-F)...and Hannity's done a better job castigating the Pubbies fer BLOWING IT from 2000-2006...O'Reilly, Greta, and Brett Bair, otoh, try to play it straight down the middle (it's all relative, I reckon...lol). In any event, it's hard to know which network news sources we can trust to give us the unvarnished Truth...I'm not saying FNC qualifies as this trusted source, either, but I sure do trust them a whole lot more than I trust CNN or MSNBC, and the ratings clearly demonstrate that I ain't the only one...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, "Black XXXIII"...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, I listened to Brett Bair last night for a bit while in the car, he had a panel on talking about Obama and the jobs bill, to a man they argued that Obama should have followed Reagan's model of cutting taxes or he wouldn't have seen his approval numbers fall. The reality is Reagan has about the same approval as Obama at this point his his presidency, the country was still in a recession, even after the tax cuts, and Reagan went on to raise taxes in 82, 83, 84 and 86. That's what I mean by my tag line.
Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality.
How many times can you capriciously cut taxes, run up debt and deficits until you wake up to the fact that a) Laffer is a CURVE which means you can lower the rate TOO MUCH and b) simply lowering marginal rates has yet to work.
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
The reality is Reagan was busy enacting a pro-growth tax and regulatory policy that ultimately led to the greatest peace-time economic expansion in American history, GO65. The RAT-Messiah, otoh, is busy rewarding his political cronies while simultaneously bankrupting generations who ain't even born yet. His Marxist Agenda rewards sloth, lethargy, and political cronyism while punishing anyone who doesn't look towards DeeCee fer their daily sustenance. Obama's worst days ain't happened yet, dude, and he's gonna take the RAT Party down with him. Sorry, buddy, but Kenyan Ken ain't nuthin' like Dutch Reagan...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, The reality is Kemp Roth was, for all intents and purposes, was undone by TEFRA and his "regaultory policy" bankrupted the Savings and loan industry and nearly collapsed the banking system...
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
Fer the record, I officially became an Independent in 2002...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, The reality is nobody thought at this exact same point Reagan was a one term President. Even Democrats are beginning to realize Owe-bama is.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
It must be opposite day in Boofer Hollow... Democrats were falling over each other to get into the race because even as late as 1983, Red Ink, whose approval rating was around 35, was shown losing to all three major condidates...
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
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#2. To: go65 (#0)
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#3. To: go65 (#0)
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#4. To: go65 (#0)
#5. To: Mudboy Slim (#2)
LOL...so, the Progressives continue to attack the messenger--aka FoxNews-- instead of acknowledging that their message of massively-expanding the Federal Leviathan without regard to outta control national deficits is simply not marketable to the majority of the American electorate, eh?!
#6. To: Badeye (#4)
You crack me up. I suppose we should all watch lilly white MSNBC?
#7. To: Badeye (#4)
You crack me up. I suppose we should all watch lilly white MSNBC?
#8. To: Get Outta Dodge!, mudboy slim, badeye (#3)
Don't like Fox News? Don't watch it.
#9. To: go65 (#8)
So let's see - the Saudi Royal Family influences Fox news' coverage of events, and you are angry at those who point it out?
#10. To: go65 (#6)
#11. To: go65 (#8)
So let's see - the Saudi Royal Family influences Fox news' coverage of events
#12. To: mininggold (#9)
#13. To: Badeye (#12)
(Edited)
To: mininggold Always amusing to see a 9/11 truther display their own paranoia. Ignorance is a choice, as you show it here.
#14. To: go65 (#8)
So let's see - the Saudi Royal Family influences Fox news' coverage of events, and you are angry at those who point it out?
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#15. To: mininggold (#9)
Shhhhhh.... you are making too much sense for the neocons to absorb in such a short time. Which is why I don't believe that even they believe the official story.
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#16. To: mininggold (#13)
So you think that it would have been wrong for us to attack the nation where they were current citizens, educated and probably trained for the task? lolol And you call me paranoid.
#17. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#15)
#18. To: Badeye (#16)
(Edited)
3. Ah, and now we get to the 'truth' about YOU, mininglead.
#19. To: Badeye (#16)
To: mininggold
#20. To: Badeye (#11)
You have anything to back that ridiculous claim up, beyond a Huff Puff or dailykos blogger doing the Leftwing version of 'birther' nonsense?
Fox News was ordered to alter its coverage of the riots in France after a Saudi prince with shares in its parent company News Corporation complained to Rupert Murdoch.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul aziz Al-Saud told a conference in Dubai he had telephoned Mr Murdoch after seeing a strapline on the news channel describing the disturbances as "Muslim riots".
"I picked up the phone and called Murdoch and said that I was speaking not as a shareholder, but as a viewer of Fox. I said that these are not Muslim riots, they are riots," Campaign Middle East magazine quoted the prince as saying.
"He investigated the matter and called Fox and within half an hour it was changed from 'Muslim riots' to 'civil riots'."
The prince said his intervention had been an example of how Muslim people can change the portrayal of their religion in the western media - although few Fox viewers will have his contacts.
It is not the first time he has admitted to trying to influence Mr Murdoch's coverage of sensitive issues.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/dec/12/newscorporation.rupertmurdoch
#21. To: badeye (#20)
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47771
Saudi prince who owns shares of the Fox News Channel claims he persuaded network chief Rupert Murdoch to change a screen banner during a broadcast that identified the recent unrest in France as "Muslim riots."
Speaking on a panel at the Arab and World Media Conference in Dubai Monday, billionaire Prince al-Walid bin Talal criticized U.S. media for being generally "pro-Israel" and said Arabs are not doing enough to counter that, according to Middle East Online.
The prince then pointed to his own experience as an example of what can be done to shape media coverage.
During the violent street protests in France one month ago, the prince said, Fox News ran a banner at the bottom of the screen that said "Muslim riots."
"I picked up the phone and called Murdoch ... [and told him] these are not Muslim riots, these are riots out of poverty," al-Walid said.
"Within 30 minutes, the title was changed from Muslim riots to civil riots."
Asked by WorldNetDaily to respond, Fox News Channel spokeswoman Irena Briganti said she was not aware of any phone call from the prince but acknowledged the network changed the banner after receiving complaints.
"We had several calls from people around the world and discovered the issue was a little more complicated than how it was being characterized," she said.
#22. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#15)
(Edited)
What the hell is a neocon? Wanna define it for us?
#23. To: Badeye, mininggold (#16)
Saudis faulted for funding terror
Treasury official shows frustration at U.S. efforts to force action. An audit is ordered.
April 02, 2008|Josh Meyer , Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia remains the world's leading source of money for Al Qaeda and other extremist networks and has failed to take key steps requested by U.S. officials to stem the flow, the Bush administration's top financial counter-terrorism official said Tuesday.
Stuart A. Levey, a Treasury undersecretary, told a Senate committee that the Saudi government had not taken important steps to go after those who finance terrorist organizations or to prevent wealthy donors from bankrolling extremism through charitable contributions, sometimes unwittingly.
#24. To: go65 (#23)
Uh Badeye....
#25. To: mininggold (#19)
#26. To: go65 (#23)
#27. To: go65 (#21)
#28. To: Badeye (#25)
(Edited)
We went into Afghanistan when its government insisted it would continue to provide 'safe harbor' to al Qaeda, allow terror training camps, AND keep bin Laden safe.
#29. To: mininggold (#28)
#30. To: mininggold (#28)
"The Afghanis must have had one too many donkeys in their cavalry so we invaded."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#31. To: go65 (#8)
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#32. To: go65 (#5)
"Fox news doesn't complain about Republicans expanding federal government..."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#33. To: All (#32)
(Edited)
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#34. To: Mudboy Slim (#32)
Glenn Beck does, from 5:00-6:00 PM EST (M-F)...and Hannity's done a better job castigating the Pubbies fer BLOWING IT from 2000-2006...O'Reilly, Greta, and Brett Bair, otoh, try to play it straight down the middle (it's all relative, I reckon...lol).
#35. To: go65 (#34)
#36. To: go65 (#34)
"The reality is Reagan has about the same approval as Obama at this point his his presidency, the country was still in a recession..."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#37. To: Mudboy Slim (#36)
The reality is Reagan was busy enacting a pro-growth tax and regulatory policy that ultimately led to the greatest peace-time economic expansion in American history
#38. To: go65 (#34)
"Being a Republican means you get to choose your own reality."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#39. To: Mudboy Slim (#36)
#40. To: Badeye (#39)
The reality is nobody thought at this exact same point Reagan was a one term President.
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