Fox Won't Air Obama News Conference

Network Will Show Regularly Scheduled Lineup; Passes Presser To Business Network

(AP)  Fox became the first broadcast network to turn down a request by President Barack Obama for time, opting to show its drama "Lie to Me" on Wednesday instead of the president's prime-time news conference.

Fox will direct viewers interested in the news conference to Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network, which will both carry it. ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and CNBC are all carrying the 8 p.m. EDT event, on Mr. Obama's 100th day in office.

This will be Mr. Obama's third prime-time news conference as president, a schedule that has caused some private grumbling among network executives. Carrying a news conference costs the four broadcast networks an estimated $10 million-plus in lost advertising revenue.

Yet with an economy in distress, two wars and now a swine flu outbreak, the pressure on networks to agree to Mr. Obama's request as a public service is enormous.

Executives at Fox, owned by News Corp., would not comment on the decision Monday. It's not without precedent for the network; Fox didn't carry a prime-time speech by President George W. Bush in November 2001 despite a request from the White House.

"I can't imagine it was politically motivated," said Shelly Palmer, industry analyst and host of "MediaBytes," a daily show about technology and the media. "I'm assuming it was financially motivated."

The news conference comes at the start of a ratings "sweeps" months, where viewership is watched closely to set local advertising rates. Not only will Fox keep its advertising for the hour, it will offer the only broadcast entertainment program, potentially giving a boost to the new series "Lie to Me," about a crime-fighting expert who can spot liars. "American Idol" follows "Lie to Me" on the schedule.

The Fox broadcast network was the most likely to have made this decision. Unlike ABC, CBS and NBC, Fox does not have its own news division to analyze the event. Even though the broadcast network is in more homes, cable's Fox News Channel traditionally gets more viewers for its coverage of these events than the Fox network.

An executive at one of the three other broadcasters, who asked for anonymity because the conversations were private, said that network's executives had expressed concern to the White House about the frequency of prime-time news conferences and the financial sacrifice they were making in carrying the event. The executive said it was hoped the administration would show more flexibility in working with networks to find the best times to schedule the events.

[garyl615]

Fox news----traitors... terrorist lovers...support the troops...support the President!

[cdegolier]

Obama just likes to be on T.V. Stop wasting my time and money. The networks loose money, but guess who pays.

[cbsantispin]

tommynutz:

You should change your name to iCopyCat.

[tommynutz]

Obama has a LOT of the same mannerisms of Hitler or Stalin if you watch him carefully.

[tommynutz]

"Fox News should stop impersonating a News Network when it's nothing of the kind. Fox News is a mouth piece for Republican views and Republican agendas. Fox News may also not be the threat many think it is since most know what Fox News is about. "

ABC / NBC / CNN / MS-NBC News should stp impersonating a news network when its nothing of a kind. ABC / NBC / CNN / MS-NBC is a mouth pieces for the facist leftist democrat views and facist leftist democrat agendas. ABC / NBC / CNN / MS-NBC may also not be the threat many think it is since most know what ABC / NBC / CNN / MS-NBC is about.

[growlll]

What version of "lie to me" do you want?

[cbsantispin]

Fox News should stop impersonating a News Network when it's nothing of the kind. Fox News is a mouth piece for Republican views and Republican agendas. Fox News may also not be the threat many think it is since most know what Fox News is about.

[tincup356]

(AP) Fox became the first broadcast network to turn down a request by President Barack Obama for time, opting to show its drama "Lie to Me" on Wednesday instead of the president's prime-time news conference. ..........................
............."lie to Me" sounds like the theme to Obamas speech,,,,he wants to tell us how good a start we are off too,,,,,,,I wonder who he refers to "We" too?....It cannot possibly be any of the people who have lost their jobs, homes, retirements, everything, etc.,,,,,,,the only ones off to a good start seem to be those who paid lobby dollars last year and received handouts from the government,,,like the banks who seem to want more than usual for the money they got from tax payers at less than 1 % interest,,,if they want to loan it at all. GREED has consumed corporate America and our government,,,,,,,they are all traitors involved in a conspiracy to destroy the middle class,,,they ALL deserve to be charged with HIGH TREASON.

[Trust_me_]

hakori

Tell me if this process does not work why america after the korean war would adopt this style?

After the war North Korean atrocities were roundly condemned by the United States, which complained to the United Nations that the Koreans had not complied with the Geneva Conventions. One institution, however, was not repelled but intrigued. The experience led the CIA to accelerate its research into the theory and science of coercive interrogation.

[Trust_me_]

hakori

do your home work:
korea turn 9 out of 10 prisoners to inform for them.
I am sorry for presenting you with facts!

[Trust_me_]

I hope bush runs again in the next election.

[godfirstcountrysecond]

To generalize that all republicans are idiots or fools just makes you look bad. I am republican and like many democrates I choose the canidate based on the values they share with me. If you are all done with the soap box you have put yourselves on can someone explain to me why Bush is a traitor ( without being nasty please). Clinotn lied about many, many things but who is calling him a traitor. Yes he got impeached but he was exonerated by Bush. Mabey that was the dumb mistake you are all talking about.

[nikolee100]

Thank you, Fox News!!

[luke_4u]

Who in their right mind would want to hear Obacarama ramble on and on anyway ?

[hakori]

cheetah-man7 .....I know. It's just gotten sooo old listening to these types question the patriotism of liberals, even when they bought into the Bush lies. They sat by and cheered on those unAmerican policies and they call us communists! It's unbelievable! They're a lost cause.

[nikosk11]

Who cares????

[CogWheelRoute]

What's the big deal here??? The three major networks declined President Bush. Freedom to choose baby....

[cheetah-man7]

mortar29............and I'm frickin SICK you right-wing wind bags calling liberals communist! Fu! I believe in this nation and I believe in it's system of government! It wasn't my fault that people like you elected a man like Bush. So, was it good for you? Cause the last eight years have been a nightmare for thinking people!
Posted by hakori
____________________

Don't let that idiot get to you. He is just not taken his meds yet today. He'll be OK once his mommy diapers him and gives him his little pills! Then it will be time for his afternoon happy nappy.......

[hakori]

mortar29............and I'm frickin SICK you right-wing wind bags calling liberals communist! Fu! I believe in this nation and I believe in it's system of government! It wasn't my fault that people like you elected a man like Bush. So, was it good for you? Cause the last eight years have been a nightmare for thinking people!

[hakori]

mortar29 "Since the general civilization of mankind,
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedoms
of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power
than by violent and sudden usurpations."
James Madison


He could have been talking about the treasonous Bush adminstration!