Frenchie changes MSNBC scroll DU forces MSNBC to report Hoax

[grantcart]

Frenchie started the DU calling campaign here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7588373&mesg_id=7588373

After several others called I called by now the operator decided she had had enough and put me through.

The woman who apparently answered the phone on the previous callers put me through to the fellow that actually makes the decision on what goes on and writes the scroll.

He was very defensive and said that he wasn't going to put up anything that wasn't confirmed. By sheer good fortune I happened to have the AP report before me.

He initially denied that they had delayed any reporting of the story but I was able to show him that the AP had the story confirmed for over an hour. He told me that it was an anonymous source and I told him no that it was the official spokesman Richards and that while this was the official story that the police had basically admitted that it was hoax in the morning.

He then got very defensive and said that they had to double check on a story like this and I told him that there was no double checking yesterday when they rushed this on the news almost ahead of Drudge beating fox cnn and everybody.

He said that he took his child to the doctor yesterday and wasn't there and today that he was upholding professional standards.

I then said fine I congratulate you on your prudent actions today but that yesterday MSNBC acted like drudge on speed.

He said that he didn't work for MSNBC but NBC.

He said "alright go look at the TV I just put it on the scroll --- are you satisfied?"

I said yes but you should have a talk with the guy who screwed up yesterday and he transferred me to a comment line so I could yell about yesterday.



The scroll was changed and a few minutes later Schuster made the announcement.

Those calls have an impact --- thanks for the leadership Frenchie

[Occam Bandage]

1. Wow. Congratulations on your vigilant citizenship.

[grantcart]

3. It was Frenchie and the other DUers who called that made the difference

I just got lucky on being the one who the fed up operator put through.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Power to the People.

[Teaser]

4. "are you satisfied"

That's some quality customer service right there...

oh wait...we're not their customers, are we?

[Fozzledick]

13. No, we're actually their product

Their business is to attract our attention and sell it to their real customers: their advertisers.

[musicblind]

55. Bingo! They don't sell news. They sell eyeballs.

One of the most intelligent professors I have ever had told me that.

[cliffordu]

5. The talking head just mentioned it!!!!!

GO FRENCHIECAT!!!!!!

[grantcart]

30. she's a wildcat

[Just-plain-Kathy]

96. Yesterday the damning story was practically on a loop, today they just mention the truth.

:mad:

[Uzybone]

6. Great job Frenchie and others

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. CNN still has not reported the story ...MSNBC and Faux has...

CNN is next

[dgibby]

32. I don't think CNN ran the story yesterday. If they did, I missed it.

[Marsala]

97. I heard on DU that CNN was bragging that they didn't air the story yesterday

So they have no need to air a retraction. It would be nice if they aired the hoax confirmation, of course (if they haven't already done so).

[FrenchieCat]

8. Thanks Grantcard, but it wasn't me.......

IT WAS US!

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

[grantcart]

21. great job

[leftynyc]

31. Great Job Frenchie!!!

Pat yourself on the back.

[JNelson6563]

68. Rock on girl.

:toast:

[Bobbie Jo]

92. Kickin' Ass and Takin' Names!....You Go Girl!

:yourock: :kick:

[JI7]

103. great job Frenchie

[Overseas]

9. K&R !! /nt

[Lady-Damai]

10. FrenchieCat ROCKS!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[avaistheone1]

11. Nice work.

[City of Mills]

12. CNN headline news just did the hoax update

about two minutes ago.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. But not CNN main news.... they need a call or e-mail n/t

Faux just covered the story again fro the second time.

[grantcart]

19. cnn has it

[NatBurner]

14. *daps*

[KathieG]

16. Awesome!!! Great job Frenchie!

:applause::applause::applause:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. Hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray, hip-hip-hooray to you FrenchieCat

And the same to you Grantcart for having the persistence to do what I would never have thought possible.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

18. You guys

are out making trouble again... Aren't you?

Thanks :)

[dana_b]

20. great job!!

wow- they have to be pushed for a story like that, eh? amazing...

[4lbs]

22. Good going! It's time that the MSM listens to the people.

n/t

[Geek_Girl]

23. That's awesome!

nt

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

24. You Can't Really Believe That Can You?

They were already aware, were working on confirming the story, and getting ready to break it. But you think it was our phonecalls that really made the difference, eh?

It's nice to feel good about ourselves sometimes, but let's not push it.

[grantcart]

26. Normally that might be true

In this case the operator got fed up and put me through to the editor for the scroll.

It probably wouldn't have been such a big impact except that I had the AP story in front of me and could quote the exact words of the official spokesman. He was aware that there was a police story but he didn't realize that it was coming from the official spokesman.


It was an unusual circumstance, the operator apparently realized that she was going to be inundated with angry calls and decided to put me through to the editor for the scroll. He realized that he was going to be getting a lot of calls.


BTW This editor took great umbrage at being classified as a part of MSNBC. "I work for NBC not MSNBC".

It was a freak occurence but sometimes you actually do get through to the person that is actually handling it in real time.

If you read Frenchie's thread you can see that it did indeed change 22 minutes after DU started calling.

He also admitted that they shouldn't have gone with the story so early the day before but he wasn't there.

While he changed it he told me to look at the TV and said "there are you satisfied"

Sometimes pestering works.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

28. No, It Wasn't Because Of Us.

Almost all the news channels started breaking it at the same time. MSNBC was aware of it prior to any calls being made. They, like the other stations, were working to confirm the initial anonymous reports, prior to running with the story.

You can think what you want, but I have basically zero doubt in my mind that we had nothing to do with this. They knew the story, they were of course going to break it just like other channels, they were just making sure it was confirmed and getting all the facts, and then, as expected, they did run the story.

Giving us credit for this would look silly to most, with all due respect.

[grantcart]

36. lol actually if you look up the thread you can see that in fact the other channels

did not have it as the other posters note.

In any case that is completely off the point.


The point is that they do in fact take notice of the calls.

In this, obviously unusual case, I had more current information than he had and I was able to cite the latest AP report that was citing an official police report. He did not have that when I first started talking to him but he searched and admitted that he now had enough to 'break' the story.

All of that is really beside the main point. The point is that the calls do matter - that they don't like to be pestered by all the folks keeping track on the internets.

The operator will get pissed off and send a call through to the department.

The scroll editor will get tired of having to defend his position - an in this case he didn't have the latest information.

He didn't change it because of my call he changed it because he didn't want to get 50 more calls like it.

[John K]

114. Unprecedented tools for directing news are now available to us.

We shouldn't give up the power of collective action for good. This effort to contact the networks about a hoax is a great example, as was the El Tinklenberg effort. The internets allow us to work together even when we have never met face to face. Don't turn your back on this power.

[Number23]

61. I agree

I said in essence the same thing downthread. If this story is true, then MSNBC should be taken off the air yesterday.

I remember when MSNBC launched. I was working at CNN at the time and we all thought it was a joke. I've never watched the network but I do like some of their programming that I've seen here on DU.

But any network that is so easily influenced by a viewer reading a damn AP report should not be allowed on the air. That simply astounds me.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[woolldog]

25. Good job grantcart. wow.

[Mabus]

27. Yes we can

We are having an impact. We're investigating a lot of the news that the corporate media is putting out and, on more than one occasion, we've held them accountable and forced them to do their jobs.

I'm having a great time. It's like truthiness is sweeping the country and we're helping.

[Uncle Joe]

29. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, grantcart.:thumbsup:

[grantcart]

46. welcome

[endthewar]

33. Woohoo!!!

:bounce:

:patriot:

[politicasista]

34. Nice job Frenchie and others!

:kick: :yourock:

[Life Long Dem]

35. Yeah but... posting here does nothing.

:woohoo: take that freeper land!

[EFerrari]

39. Caribou Barbie probably disagrees with that.

:evilgrin:

:woohoo:

[Life Long Dem]

100. But there is overkill...

and one aware poster brought the attention of this particular incident to the party to call for action, and the rest is history. Now that's the way you do it! Just like the song!

:woohoo:
But to be honest, I'm sort of confused on your post... but anyway...what the hey!

[EFerrari]

37. I emailed their sorry @sses yesterday. They had PLENTY of warning.

GOOD GOING FRENCHIE!

:applause:

[Willo]

38. Excellent!

Well done Grantcart!

[DainBramaged]

40. HOLY SHIT, Kudos

[SuperTrouper]

41. We are not going to be intimidated this time, not again, ever. Thank you Frenchiecat and DU

[skooooo]

83. That's right!

Not going to take this crap anymore!

[cui bono]

42. Fantastic!

Good work everyone!

:toast:

[fight4my3sons]

43. Thank you grantcart & Franchie

:yourock:

[grantcart]

44. Don't forget the 5-6 people who called and got them sufficiently pissed off to

put a call through

[Liberal Mommy]

45. K&R!!!

Thank you! :kick:

[sonias]

47. K&R for Frenchie

I love that cat!

:applause:

Sonia

[grantcart]

49. glad she is on our side

[smiley_glad_hands]

48. Think of the power DU will be able to wield against the media with an Obama Admin?

Score one for the good guys.

[TheDonkey]

50. Good job you guys!

[mamalone]

51. You discontented rabble you!

I love it!:loveya:

[crossroads]

52. Great job Frenchie... thanks! k&r

[liberal1973]

53. Countdown

Keith Olbermann should give the people who did this crap on MSNBC hell.

The fact that clearly the dumbf##ks went over to one of the un-American right wing websites, and read the bs that POS lying racist republican put up.

[grantcart]

54. the guy on the scroll made quite a point to make it clear that he was not MSNBC but NBC

apparently there is quite some bad blood between the two groups

[TheKentuckian]

56. Thank you

[janx]

57. YAY, Frenchie!

:toast:

That woman knows how to do her homework! :party:

[Number23]

58. If this is true, MSNBC should not be allowed on the air

Are you seriously suggesting that a phone call from an anonymous viewer led to a change in their reporting?? And this is the station you guys all watch??

I don't live in a country that gets MSNBC but if I did and heard about your story, I would cease watching IMMEDIATELY.

[grantcart]

63. They would have eventually played the story

The calls simply got them to do it promptly.

What was learned in the call was not why they were so cautious today but why they were so eager to go with an unlikely story yesterday - the regular editor was called away.


The criticism was that they were fast getting into the story and slow to break the retraction - I have lived overseas for decades and I find that all news outlets are faster to break a story than they are to retract it, don't you.

[Number23]

64. I understand what you're saying. I really do

The calls simply got them to do it promptly.

Calls from viewers should have no impact whatsoever on a media outlet's reporting. Either you have the facts or you don't.

news outlets are faster to break a story than they are to retract it

I do believe you are absolutely right about that. :) But the idea that calls from viewers in any way impacted their reporting should be troubling to you and every single one of their viewers. That is simply not the way the media is supposed to perform.

[grantcart]

66. I think the calls got them to review the fact that the day before they broke a major

story without the facts

They were irritated that we were harassing them about being a few minutes slow on the retraction they were embarassed that they had gone with the story so casually yesterday.

It seemed that the editor I talked with was angry that his absence ended up giving somebody who didn't share his standards opportunity to go with a story that should never have gotten beyond the tabloids. None of us are perfect. By keeping up the pressure when they are obviously wrong it helps those that do have higher standards fight to maintain them.

[Number23]

69. The editor probably was angry

I'm sure he had been catching hell from his supervisors for the fact that this idiotic story aired to begin with. Every media outlet that reported this story should be embarrassed.

But media outlets are immune to "pressure" as they should be. That's why I think it's so interesting that every day on DU I see a half dozen threads to call MSNBC/CNN/whoever and report some bias. It just doesn't work that way.

I worked in a tiny little CBS outlet many, many (feels like) years ago, and when we got complaints they were written down and passed along but if our News Director felt like the story was correct, the comments did nothing. Only after we got corroboration from other media outlets or recognized authorities would a retraction or correction be aired.

Like I said before, either you have the facts or you don't. Either you have the story right or you don't. And any media outlet that even seems to take its cues from viewers' calls and complaints is showing an astounding lack of credibility.

[redqueen]

94. An "astounding" lack of credibility?

Are you seriously saying that about cable/mainstream news?

They've been this way for years.

[Number23]

108. Yes, that's what I'm saying

[Bernardo de La Paz]

122. No, you don't understand. Try reading again, for comprehension.

You wrote: Are you seriously suggesting that a phone call from an anonymous viewer led to a change in their reporting?? And this is the station you guys all watch?? I don't live in a country that gets MSNBC but if I did and heard about your story, I would cease watching IMMEDIATELY.

Please re-read the well-written original post, for comprehension this time. The station did not simply accept a viewer's allegations as fact, the way you are implying.

You wrote: Calls from viewers should have no impact whatsoever on a media outlet's reporting. Either you have the facts or you don't.

Wrong. The call from the viewer correctly had an impact because the viewer pointed the media outlet to the facts so that the media outlet would report the facts. Before the viewer's call, the media outlet did not have the facts. As a result of the viewer's call, the media outlet obtained the facts. Yes, viewer's calls should have an impact under these conditions.

[Kaleko]

59. Netroots shooting up the MSM... Lovely.

[pleah]

60. K&R! Power to the people, RIGHT ON!

[WinkyDink]

62. AWESOME job, DU'ers!

[Usrename]

67. You guys are amazing!

Well done!!!

:woohoo:

[yardwork]

70. He actually said that they were unprofessional yesterday but today he was upholding standards!

That is exactly what everyone has been saying about the media - that they ignore professional standards when it makes Democrats look bad, but when it comes time for retractions suddenly they remember journalistic integrity and get all "we'll have to triple confirm this story."

What absolute bullshit.

P.S. Thank you for calling. I can hardly believe they are this blatant.

[The Doctor.]

71. "And the sun was in my eyes, and I had a headache,..."

Whatever excuse you need buddy.

[cachukis]

72. kudos

[Canuckistanian]

73. Good work. But only ONE GUY decides what goes on the crawl?

You'd think it would be an editorial decision - that there would need to be some kind of clearance or consensus.

Makes you wonder who has his number on speed-dial......

[poverlay]

74. AWE-SOME job! I am so impressed and proud of my DU today! n/t

[Bette Noir]

75. Good on all y'all!

Is this a good time to confess to a little crush on Frenchie?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

76. Apology

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7594195&mesg_id=7594195

[doublethink]

87. For newbies to this thread here is OPERATIONMINDCRIME's words in the link ....

Public Apology To Grantcart And FrenchiCat :o)

In regards to this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7594195

I responded several times being convinced that it was ridiculous to think that we are the ones who changed things, but that was because I misunderstood the claims. When I first entered the thread, I clicked on the link in the OP and read that thread and what it was asking, and then I browsed the rest of the OP. I thought the claim being made was that the calls got MSNBC to break the story, as in report on it. I didn't realize the claim was related to the scroll on the bottom of the screen being changed.

So with the wrong premise in my mind; that DU was responsible for MSNBC actually broadcasting the story, I was taken aback by the congratulations and convinced that there's no way that was because of DU, and that of course they would report on it once they confirmed the sources.

But after now rereading the OP, I realize that my entire premise was based on flawed understanding, and that the OP explained explicitly what happened and I have no reason not to believe the OP. I can totally see the scroll itself being changed and that is a much more readily believable claim to me than what I had previously thought (hell, I had them change a banner scroll once too so I know it can happen).

Having that said, I owe a huge apology to GC and FC due to my dismissing their accomplishments based on my ignorance of understanding what the accomplishment actually was.

So maybe a little late, but CONGRATS GRANTCART AND FRENCHICAT!

:applause:

Just thought it might help for the quick scrollers who don't pay attention to details and such. Peace. Here's to you OPERATIONMINDCRIME sincerely :toast: :)

[varelse]

77. A big thank you to both of you

:yourock:

[lynettebro440]

78. Way to get them

applause for you... :toast:

[lob1]

79. I love you guys with the pitchforks and torches.

[BlueIdaho]

80. To all those who say the MSM ignores our comments...

Here's to all those who refused to buy into the common wisdom that the media ignores viewer comments! Great job gang and never underestimate the power of people to counterattack media bias. Lets keep the media honest and demand they play this one fair and square. Lets go get them!

[skooooo]

81. Wow Frenchie!

Power to the people!

[Laelth]

82. k&r for right action. Good work DU. The truth will out ... if we MAKE it so.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Cha]

84. Definetly thanks for the leadership, Frenchie..

Thank you, too, grant and all those who called msnbc today on getting them to Break this News when they broke yesterday's news so damn fast.

[Mimosa]

85. Thank God for you energetic activists

The hoax could have led to massive hysteria.

[proud patriot]

86. Wow you guys are great ...

when I was a homemaker I loved the day actions around here .

America owes you all a debt of gratitude .

:patriot:

[MrsBrady]

88. rock on n/t

[goclark]

89. Yea for Frenchie and grantcart --- justice is served!!

:bounce: :woohoo:

[lisa58]

90. I'm sooooooooo proud of you guys - I was away all day and didn't know - I Love DU

[flamingdem]

91. wow!!

Big props for Frenchie!!!!!!!!

[redqueen]

93. I never doubt the calls have an impact... in the right numbers.

Thanks Frenchie for the (latest) call to action.

:yourock:

[grantcart]

99. there is a clear irritation factor but I would agree with those that also caution

that they are not reporting because of the calls.

It has to be a combination of calls and being right on the facts and the professional standards.

[redqueen]

102. Yes... must be armed with facts and sources... and not act like freepers.

Absolutely. :)

[Indenturedebtor]

95. AWESOME! Those folks should win the DU'er of the month award

I'm going to start a thread and I hope you will all support the idea of a nomination system for citizen action awards.

[elleng]

98. 'Yesterday MSNBC acted like drudge on speed.'

THANKS FOR THAT, grant, and THANKS AS ALWAYS to Frenchie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nradisic]

101. KUDOS!

Stand up for your rights!

[Tigress DEM]

104. POW!

[lonestarnot]

105. Give that Frenchie a medal! A raise! A promotion!

[kestrel91316]

106. The MSM is asleep at the wheel. And they have the GALL to look down

their noses at us.

WE are doing the REAL work right here. WE sniff out the stories. WE dig up the details. WE pull all the threads together, and we do it in record time.

WE are a force to be reckoned with.

[RepublicanElephant]

107. "wtg, frenchie!!!"

[democracy1st]

109. Frenchie kickin butt K & R

[southern_belle]

110. Great job!

:applause:

[OlWiseRedEye]

111. Nice Job

Great Job Man!

[rateyes]

112. I hope that while you were on the phone, you told that idiot that

he needs to proofread his scroll for spelling and grammar errors. It amazes me how many times he and others like him screw up.

[livedemocarticordie]

113. very impressive

[Douglas Carpenter]

115. congratulations Frenchie!!

Contacting the media is what the GOP minions were doing for years - while progressives and other Democrats slept. It DOES have an effect!

[Seldona]

116. K&R

Just goes to show that making those calls does make a difference. But to get the guy on the phone and have him change the scroll is just to cool!

[fourvahl]

117. Can we do the same with what Bush has done with Ohio probe?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

118. I think we need to do this with all the lies McCain is putting into the media's heads

[PatSeg]

119. Kudos to both you and Frenchie

and anyone else who called MSNBC yesterday. Sorry I missed your posts yesterday.

[Cleita]

120. Good for DU as well as you and Frenchie.

I got tired of calling the media on their bias and lies after being ignored most of the time since 2000. I'll go back to writing and calling now that it seems they can be made to listen. On the dark side, it means I may have to tune into them in again, something I haven't done for the past four years, but no pain, no gain.

[ihavenobias]

121. Kick n/t

[butterfly77]

123. Good! Now can we do something like this..

concerning Scarborough, I can stand that bastard...