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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: 2905
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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#27. To: go65 (#21)
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?
Yep...I'm not even gonna be surprised if Obama ain't the RAT-nominee fer POTUS in 2012...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, Even Democrats are beginning to realize Owe-bama is. And no one at this point thought Bush One was a one term president either. So what?
In early 1983, the question for 1984 was would Ted Kennedy or Walter Mondale be the next POTUS...when Teddy begged out that Summer, Hart entered the fray... I actually voted for Hart in the PA primary - he lost - and then, a month later, changed my registration to GOP and voted for Red Ink in November...
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?
My anti groupie, GO65, and Fred Mertz did. Wrong as usual mininglead.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
too early to tell, but Bayh might do to Owe-Bama what Teddy 'Drown Em!' Kennedy did to Carter in the 1980 primaries. I know the hot rumor on this is Hillary...doubt it.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
I dunno...I realize a lotta folks think Bayh is this "NEW Sorta DemocRAT", but he's never really impressed me all that much. Even compared to a lightweight like Barry Hussein, "ByeBye" Bayh seems relatively lacking in GRAVITAS...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, (laughing) go back and read "Bush One" until it gets past that Crown Royal induced haze Boofer...
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?
Courtesy ping because Boofer has no honor...10 bucks and his Crown Royal says he can't admit his mistake...
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?
Wrong again, boteye.
Nope, documented over at LP in the database, fred. but its okay if you want to pretend.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Wrong as usual mininglead. They were prescient then. Maybe you should heed their words more often. But I doubt there was an LP during Bush One or even easy accessibility to the internet.
You have serious issues with reading comprehension. Or maybe its just ADD, not sure...
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
You are the one quoting me wrong and you say I have bad reading comprehension? I said BUSH ONE neocon dodo breath.
I don't recall quoting you here. Like I said, reading comprehension or ADD.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Really....you are are too stupid for words today. Your 44 reply to the 42 post.
Oh, Sorry. I don't carry a thought related to you beyond a couple of minutes, lightweight. Let alone a couple of days. That said, you're still as wrong about that as you were when you posted it. First Rule of Holes.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
...is the HUGE one in your head...(laughing)
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
First Rule of Holes. You mean the GOP ran a candidate they intentionally knew would lose? God they are worse than I thought. Oh wait... they ran old man Dole too the next time. Poppy really did want his other son to win. I take that back. LOLOLOL.
First Rule of Holes.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
First rule of shit...Don't step in it.
Early dementia most likely since you continued to post on the comments that pertained to that post. Or does the original subject matter not matter more than your ability to continue with the inane comments?
He still hasn't figured out that "Bush One" aka "Poppy" isn't "Bush Two" aka "Boy Blunder".
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
First Rule of Holes.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
(laughing)
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
I'd avoid you at all costs, hagatha!
Sneakypete, have you ever been married? Said things you later regretted?
He STILL hasn't figured out that "Bush One" aka "Poppy" isn't "Bush Two" aka "Boy Blunder". Maybe I should add that to my tagline as well... Or maybe I should just bump this up once a day to remind Boofer that of all the people in the world, he is the least justified in his arrogance...(laughing...eyes rolling...grin...chuckles)
Day 6 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 4 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
#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.
#41. To: Badeye (#39)
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#42. To: Badeye (#39)
The reality is nobody thought at this exact same point Reagan was a one term President.
#43. To: mininggold (#42)
#44. To: mininggold (#42)
#45. To: Mudboy Slim (#41)
#46. To: Badeye (#45)
"...Bayh might do to Owe-Bama what Teddy 'Drown Em!' Kennedy did to Carter in the 1980 primaries."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#47. To: Badeye (#44)
#48. To: Fred Mertz, go65 (#44)
(Edited)
#49. To: Badeye (#44)
My anti groupie, GO65, and Fred Mertz did.
#50. To: Fred Mertz (#49)
#51. To: Badeye (#44)
(Edited)
My anti groupie, GO65, and Fred Mertz did.
#52. To: mininggold (#51)
#53. To: Badeye (#52)
You have serious issues with reading comprehension. Or maybe its just ADD, not sure...
#54. To: mininggold (#53)
#55. To: Badeye (#54)
I don't recall quoting you here. Like I said, reading comprehension or ADD. reply
#56. To: mininggold (#55)
(Edited)
#57. To: Badeye (#56)
First Rule of Holes....
#58. To: Badeye (#56)
Oh, Sorry. I don't carry a thought related to beyond a couple of minutes, lightweight. That said, you're still as wrong about that as you were when you posted it.
#59. To: mininggold (#58)
#60. To: Badeye (#59)
To: mininggold First Rule of Holes.
#61. To: Badeye (#56)
Oh, Sorry. I don't carry a thought related to you beyond a couple of minutes, lightweight. Let alone a couple of days. That said, you're still as wrong about that as you were when you posted
#62. To: mininggold (#61)
(Edited)
#63. To: mininggold (#61)
#64. To: Badeye (#63)
(Edited)
First Rule of Holes.
#65. To: mininggold (#60)
First rule of shit...Don't step in it.
#66. To: mininggold, Badeye (#61)
(Edited)
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