Speechless? Part Trois

By: Greg Kandra
Topics: CBS Stuff

We stumbled on more about the Bill Maher brouhaha (note: Word of the Day from last Thursday!) in Broadcasting and Cable. There's also a mention in this morning's New York Daily News.

Favorite quote, from Bill Maher:

"If I or my representatives got it wrong about how the 'Free Speech' segment of the 'CBS Evening News' is, sorry, our bad," Maher said yesterday in a statement. "I'm ready, willing and able to speak about the topic I originally suggested."

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by just4ginaf September 20, 2006 4:10 PM EDT: The "free speech" segment is great. I am an average "joann" who doesn't watch a lot of news programs usually just the local news and for the past few weeks The CBS Evening News. I do believe there are non-celebrities/journalists who have smart things to say and should be heard. I would hope that people in elected offices everywhere would take notice as to what normal, unemployed, working, struggling to survive, living the American dream, students and teachers have to say about what is going on in our world, in their world.
You are NOT going to please EVERYONE ALL OF THE TIME, but I do hope you consider having non-high profile people do the free speech segments.

On a side note I would like to say how much I am enjoying watcing the CBS Evening News w/Katie Couric. My oldest daughter who is 13 1/2 years old and a freshman in high school watches it with me. Last night we had a long discussion about the issues talked about (the U.N. conference and the free speech segment mostly). I was impressed at how she understood and wanted to have a conversation with me about important issues and not about new shoes, new clothes or wanting more money. Thank you Katie for making the move to the evening news.; Reply to this comment


by rajiraman September 20, 2006 11:56 AM EDT: Hey Katie:
I do enjoy your evening news but you are getting the free speech segment - for celebs and other journilists and not the average Joe out there.

You need to get out of your office and talk to the everyday folks and get their input for this segment. All of us working folks are very well educated and have opinions on several issues that need to be heard. Maybe invite a few people to the CBS offices and pre tape the segment and air it .

I thought you cared for the average working folks but seeing your segments that is not true!

You have improved with your wardrobe but your hair and makeup is still pretty bad!!! You looked better at the NBC TODAY show than you do now. You need to present a total package and not come across like an old grandmother???
I hope I have not embaressed you and I hope you take it as constructive feedback.
All the best.
Raji; Reply to this comment


by seatech1 September 20, 2006 3:22 AM EDT: I have to agree with some of the other posters. Giving celebrities, who already have their own airtime, the podium to voice their opinions is not really offering the viewers anything extra. Whether it's Limbaugh or Maher doesn't matter. You should offer ordinary people the chance to say what is on their mind. You can tape it beforehand to be sure it's not inflammatory, or that the people are not just wackos. Let people submit videos of themselves offering their opinions and give them the opportunity, that they would never otherwise have, to "speak freely".
There are plenty of people out there who are informed, educated, and who have valuable opinions. Let's hear from them.; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy September 19, 2006 3:13 PM EDT: It's not "brouhaha" when Bill Maher speaks the truth about Free Speech's criteria.; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy September 19, 2006 3:11 PM EDT: Rush Limbaugh already has a big mouth on his radio show and you give him more of a voice. This isn't free speech.; Reply to this comment


by tk_rockets September 19, 2006 3:00 PM EDT: I agree with the above poster. While I enjoy the free speech segment, all of the people so far already have a voice. I think it would be much more effective for viewers if at least half of the free speech segments were done by "normal" everyday Americans.; Reply to this comment


by jaguar0 September 19, 2006 2:11 PM EDT: I believe that the questions, people should be asking about the "Free Speech' segment of the 'CBS Evening News." Why is CBS NEWS, giving a voice to people who ALREADY, have an outlet? Why not grab, a taxis drive, or a waitress, doorman,eye doctor, off the streets, of NY and other cities, and let then give their BS?; Reply to this comment