GOP Criticizes ABC's Obama "Infomercial"
(AP )
The Republican National Committee derides the event as an "infomercial." And a newly-formed group called The Media Fairness Caucus, headed by Texas Republican Congressman Lamar Smith, sent a letter to ABC – one signed by 40 Republican members of Congress – complaining that the network's decision to air the forum along with accompanying coverage "gives the American people a slanted view" on the health care debate.
"The manner in which the news programming is being presented – at the White House with the President and First Lady and without opposition – is unprofessional and contrary to the journalistic code of ethics to present the news fairly and independently," the letter says. "This is not a Presidential news conference open to all news outlets. This is an exclusive arrangement from which the President and his viewpoints stand to gain."
(TV Newser, which covered the story here, has a PDF of the letter.)
ABC News president David Westin responded with a letter of his own in which he complains that "you have found it appropriate to criticize a program that has not yet aired."
"Contrary to your assertions, this will not be 'slanted' in any way – much less a 'day-long infomercial' or 'in-kind free advertising' as you allege," writes Westin. "It will be a thoughtful, respectful, and probing discussion of some of the issues raised by the calls for health-care reform. We will include a variety of perspectives coming from private individuals asking the President questions and taking issue with him, as they see fit."
