MSNBC‘s Martin Bashir Suggests Murdoch’s ‘Power’ is Reason Why Government Should Regulate Private Media
- Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:09pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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On Wednesday’s episode of Morning Joe, MSNBC’s Martin Bashir reportedly suggested that the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, and, Rupert Murdoch’s “power” in general, proves why government should regulate privately owned media enterprises. NewsBusters brings us the video and transcript, where Bashir says:
All of this reveals the fact that people like Michele Bachmann, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, talk about government getting out of the way, well this is what happened in this country. In 1968, Rupert Murdoch bought one newspaper, and government got out of the way. Then he bought a second, then he bought a third. Within 25 years he owned four national newspapers. Then he established a satellite television company, and eventually people began to wake up to the fact that his power base in the country was bigger than anybody else’s.
Bashir went on to warn against allowing “close ties” between media and government like those he asserts exist between Rupert Murdoch and British politicians.
NB points out, however, that it is strange for an MSNBC anchor to denounce media conglomerations as Bashir’s own network is actually owned by General Electric and Comcast, and is but one small branch of the larger NBC-Universal company, which also includes CNBC and Telemundo.
NB also notes Bashir’s hypocrisy in criticizing close ties between the press and politicians:
Joe Scarborough, on whose show Bashir was saying all of this, is a former politico who has now ventured into media, as are former political staffers and current MSNBC hosts Lawrence O’Donnell and Chris Matthews. It would thus also be interesting if Bashir would opine on his network’s yanking of Mark Halperin after a phone call from the White House press office.
You can watch the video below:



















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Comments (251)
boobaloo
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:41pmI wonder if this MORON has ever heard of the Constitution of The United States of America and if he has a copy of it. He might wish to check out AMENDMENT One.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:15pmI love how pompous a’s from the UK run from the socialist hell they live in to come take full advantage of capitalism and freedom, then demand that the rest of us live under the same tyranny they ran from. Piers is number one on that list, Martin is fighting him for first. Go back to your moonbat cave Martin.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmAnd in the meantime….NO mention of Soros. I wonder if they know they have opened the door WIDE open. Let’s go everyone? Ready to shed some sunlight on the cockroaches in Soros’ nest? Let’s go!
Report Post »dwcote
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:59pmLiberals believe the constitution is irrelevant and outdated and since they don’t agree with it they either ignore it or they come up with creative interpretations of it. You see this quite often in their interpretation of the 1st amendment establishment clause. Liberals also overlook anything in history that doesn’t support their position. They will never accept anything they don‘t come up with that’s the nature of their mental illness. I think we need to do cut each state in half and all the conservativeslive in one half and the liberals in the other and have 2 governments 1 liberal socialist and 1 capitalist conservatives. In 10 years we should be able to buy the liberal half for a song as theywill be bankrupt.
Report Post »Disnylv
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:02pmBooBaloo, pretty sure he does not even own a pocket edtion, BOOZOO the clown on MSNBC, why dont you get regulated?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:24pmI say let MSNBC do an experiment, let them turn over control of their resources to the FCC and federal regulation for say 3 to 5 years. Accrue the data, analyze it and present the results of it to media corporate staff of several “private” media outlets for consideration. Then let their boards decide if such a loss of direct control by them for their stock holders is as viable as lunatics, like this obvious dolt, mistakenly argue for.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:34pmNWO and 1984 is the only reason they WILL censor the internet.
Report Post »Oh ya and the truth thing…..
dietrdeb
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:43pmWe need to pack up his British or whatever @$$ he is and throw him off of our land!
Report Post »GPS-Tech
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:37pmShip his sorry ass back to the U.K.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:49pmI think you guys either don’t read the news, or have very short memories or don’t have a concept of ethics or the law. It’s not ok to hack into the cell phone of a dead girl to get a scoop. It’s not okay to delete message of a dead girl so that you can hear what people are saying when they try to contact the dead girl (and make the family of the dead girl think she’s still alive). It’s not okay to bribe policeman to get stories about salacious crimes to put in your newspaper. It’s not okay to hack the voicemails of dead people from 9-11.
As I’ve said many times here, political ideology trumps common sense and ethics every time, and least with the fringe.
Go ahead, defend the right of Murdoch to hack dead kid’s cell phones and bribe policemen. And remember your words in a month, when this scandal has played out.
Report Post »Phoenixsoulfire
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 11:06pm@JZS It is not ok to take over business, it is not ok for government to take over our lives, it is not ok to threaten to not deliver SS checks to get your way in something, it is NOT ok to give takes to Egypt when they are going to be controlled by the muslim brotherhood. It is not ok to be a progressive in this free country, It is not ok to steal from someone who has earned his money just to give to some lazt piece of crap. It specially not ok to shove things down the American peoples throat and be a cry baby bitch. If I could I would give 5 dollars to any one if they know who I am talkng about
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 11:14pm@JZS
I will comment on your post on 8-20-2011
Report Post »pschlentz
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 2:45amScrew you Bashir! Go back to where you came from. If you can’t be part of what makes this Country great, then find a rock to crawl under far from America…
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 7:48am@JZS
But you see sir, Murdoch didn’t hack anybody. One of his low level employees did. While his company may take the blame it’s hardly reasonable to expect a top level executive to know or even be able to know the actions of every single one of his employees at all times. That’s simply absurd. The people who hacked need legal action against them, and the individual managers who allowed or encouraged it need sacked and that’s all. Just like it would be with any other situation like this that wasn’t tied to Murdoch, whom we all know the Left has a huge vested interest in silencing.
If this were MSNBC you wouldn’t even be commenting on this thread, except to defend the owner(s) of MSNBC. Let’s stop with the foolish partisanship shall we?
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 8:14amCLOSE TIES BETWEEN MEDIA AN GOVERNMENT?! What do you call what’s going on in America right now? The media is in bed with the far left. And I wonder what he thinks about a government monopoly on health care would be?
Report Post »gardening101
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 9:08amInteresting that the comment comes from MSNBC. It appears that since they close to be “regulated” (i.e. controlled) by the government, they assume everybody else should share in their pain.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 10:06amThis man has lost his mo**erFu**ing mind. The entire purpose of a free press is to get the public aware of what the governement is doing…all the local reporting,weather and traffic are fillers when compared to keep thye citizenry abreast of governement.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 10:11amThe only reason this idiot can say this tripe is because MSNBC is already progressive liberal government regulated. Ask the young turk who just got canned by msnbc for referencing Obama in negative report.
Report Post »The day the government controls all media is the day A TRUE REVOLUTION WILL BEGIN
TomFerrari
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 11:19amThey don’t give a CRAP about The Constitution of These United States.
Report Post »author5555
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 12:34pmTnen l with MSNBC, ABC, CNN, and CBS. Do you think Bashir would go for that. Antheor stupid liberal. He just wants the Fairness Doctrine put back in.
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 12:57pmNever even heard of him. He looks like just another dirty ******** to me!
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 1:36pmSome of the biggest POS that hate America like Soros, Ariana Huffington and this CNN loser are not even from this country! They have to import illegal aliens that don’t speak english and lie to them to dilute the American electorate. They only way liberal/progressive/marxists win is to lie and decieve and our republicans and FOX let them off the hook by not reporting the full truth and running scared to be called a racist or anti-semite! The republicans do an awful job articulating their message! Obama and the dems have so many things to sell against they should never run out of material! I wish some of these losers who don‘t know who they are voting for 2 weeks before the election and change their minds after each BHO speech shouldn’t be able to vote! If you could still vote for BHO after all that he has done to this country over the last 3 years then you don’t understand what made America great!
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 2:37pmFirst of all moron it is called the free market, freedom of the press, and speech. Secondly, is he including all the media networking that Soros runs as well, or is he just upset with Murdoch’s political views? The question is rhetorical, please don’t answer, because we all know the answer to that question.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:37pmNot that Soros doesn’t own way too many media outlets himself (and other puppet organizations for that matter) including Media Matters, why are we still even quoting folks from MSNBC? This idiotic nobody is yet another guy I never heard of until now (guess I don’t watch MSNBC). lol
:)
Report Post »orderofcincinnatus
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:46pmI think you forgot he also owns the White House, is supporting the unions, and paying to fulfill the UN Agenda 21 plan. Sadly, the White House is his agent and is complying with the Agenda 21 plan. The Rural Council and the 6 pilot “Strong” cities, along with the destruction of America‘s financial system is the beginning toward the Mr Spooky Dude’s NWO. I believe Spooky Dude is pushing the UN’s Agenda 21 plan, once the US is finished, the next step will be to deplete the world of 5.5 billion people. I wonder who will be in charge to determine who will survive and be left, does Spooky Dude think his billions will save him?
Report Post »nptden
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:37pmIf it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck. You Bashir are a Muslim radical and we don’t want you in this country, no matter what our Muslim President says.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:36pm“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”
What part of this do they not understand???
Report Post »Would my 2nd Amendment Right held teach them the First??
trolltrainer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:38pmI hope we do not reach the point where we will need to use our 2nd amendment rights to defend the 1st amendment!
It is not looking good at this point…
Report Post »Falsegods
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:53pmEither Obama goes, or your United States goes
Throw Obama Out of Office Today
LIVE
Lyndon LaRouche
International Webcast
Thursday – July 21, 2011
1pm Eastern – 10am Pacific
LaRouchePAC.com
We need to regulate our government !
Report Post »its_time_to_arrest_our_government
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:54pmthat ship has sailed its time to stock up and lock n load. lets get to the a$$ kickin part I’m sick of all these whiny commies. its time to show them the door. give them one day to get the hell out and if we find any of them after that its open season on them. only one way to get rid of a cancer that spreads cut it out and clean up any you may have missed so it don’t come back.
Report Post »Consentiondum
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:06pm@TrollTrainer
Well, that is at least one of the many reasons the second amendment is there! :-)
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:42pmHe only wants the government to control Fox and the other Murdoch owned assets not the mainstream (?) media, the are to be allowed to spew forth their liberal drivel.
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:24pmMurdoch‘s raison d’etre of his media empire is to spread his genocidal anti-arab/muslim media campaign.he’ll make nice with liberals and conservatives cause he could care less about anything except his zionist propaganda.We were stampeded into 2 wars lasting 10 yrs,thatnks in large part to his power.he’s got the blood of alot of people on his hands.Being outraged for phone hacking done by his newpapers is like being outraged that al capone was a tax cheat.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:39pmUnlike the anti-Israel Soros funded media Rose
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:57pmPlease enlighten me as to which media outlets soros OWNS or has any influence over and if you could attach a little proof, that would be nice. If donations to certain companies count, then just remember how much fox has given to republicans already
Report Post »nptden
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:35pmThis rag-head Bashir should go work for Al Jazeeres. How about George Soros? How about the NY Times which is the PRAVDA of America? Your the enemy pal, and we see it.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:52pmHe already works for Soros
Report Post »rose-ellen
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:30pmAl jazeera is giving the zionist dominated media a run for its money.Another reality on the ground bringing us to the knowledge that this century is the century of the people,all people,not nations, not even super powers where only their narrative gets out.No wonder you brainwashed by murdoch gulls loathe it.You never saw that one coming either.
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:34pmAnd if George Soros started buying up newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, and magazine publishing houses, he would be hailed as just another responsible media magnate.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:39pmIt is…was…a free country. He can buy whatever he pleases.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:52pmwhat do you mean…if
Report Post »its_time_to_arrest_our_government
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:01pmbuying up a business is one thing acting to destroy our form of government is a whole other. soros is a subversive and a enemy of this country. the guy supports every radical group of nuts he can use for his UN driven new world order crap. it don’t matter who they think they are. they are our enemy and need to be treated as such. now before its too late!
Report Post »Knewskul
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:11pmJust like Rupert Murdoch :) Who also isn’t a US-born citizen. Strange that the biggest media moguls aren’t from the US…
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:13pmat ease there time_to_arrest! There is much truth in what you say, they are a dangerous enemy that wants to change our way of life. However…Our system works and it does not work by blowing the heads off everyone you disagree with! Be careful you do not become a radical nut on the other side! Be prepared for what may come but let the system work. Just vote for the right people and educate those around you so they can do the same. Obama is not the end of the US. In another couple years he will be a bad memory and a new crisis will loom. Such is life. Relax and enjoy it as best you can. Things are never going to be perfect.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:33pmAll this bull because morons didn’t change their voice mail passwords, and investigative reporters investigated and typed 1234 on a phone keypad.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:18pmHa ha! Truth, it’s a scary thing swampy.
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 6:41amYeah, the murdered girl was a moron. Typically well thought out comment swamp creature.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:33pmMANY
SPREAD
NATIONAL
BROADCAST
COMMUNISM
If you vote for a Liberal – a puppy dies.
Report Post »republic2011
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:32pmBashir is a Moron
Report Post »sparkspeaks
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:27pmI fear just the opposite…well enough educated at the expense of our tax dollars and in our country’s schools as were so many in the media and in the movies from Hollywood land. They know exactly what they are doing. (what they are saying) It is planned and purposeful. They are far from being morons….I wish this were the case. A moron can be trained…
Report Post »KingGeorgeSorosTheFirst
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:30pmLet it this day be declared that George Soros controls too many political organizations. Furthermore, and so forth and so on, I “King George” declare that regulation of George Soros’s portfolio of political organizations be regulated and taxed from existence. Ooops! Did I say that out loud? Uh! Er! I mean taxed to raise money to fund something worthwhile such as giving money to people for votes! Uh! Duh! Er!….I do and doth declare myself to be a moronic dimwhit! Thank You and You may now Bow before your King! King George Soros I
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:29pmRight…………..and have you people e the Only News………….you just donot get it, you and your 500 viewer’s…………No…………..no no government regulated news , period.
Report Post »rbcintexas
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:28pmThis is a typical Liberal comment – no matter what the problem is, more government will fix it. The only reason that this has gone so far is that the left smelled conservative blood and now we have a shark feeind frenzy.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:26pmYeah, but will turn around be fair play for him the next time the Republicans own the presidency and both houses? Only then will it become a violation of the 1st Amendment.
Report Post »johnnyrockett
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:25pmShut up idiot. You get paid to be a traitor…. should we investigate you? and YOUR employer.. Whats his Name……. oh yea George Soros…
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:30pmHeil,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Report Post »rodamaa
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:31pmHey Marty, can you spell kiss my a__! I know this is a hard one. Ask your buddy Biden he knows all about three letter words.
Report Post »StevenL1955
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:24pmI never call names, but in this case? Martin? Your a freaking Idiiot
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:29pmyou’re
you + are…
not your…
Why is it every time someone wishes to disparage the intelligence of another this unfortunate mistake creeps in…
Not to put you down Steven, I quite agree with your post…
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 11:58amwell if it‘s you’re than so be it…but i know i have never suggested that a government watch group over see my job…don‘t think this Barshir guy realizes what he’s asking for…he’s part of the media …to me asking someone to over see my actions on an everyday basis is idiotic….even if you don’t know the constitution…it’s like asking a policeman to follow you around everyday…soon enough he’ll find you breaking a law somewhere because you asked him to look for it…just stupidity…and he’s college educated…that’s what should be the topic here
Report Post »bitter clinger
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:24pmI think what Bashir realy means is the media should be regulated by the left.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:27pmDoable, boycott their advertisers and don’t watch.
Report Post »jim
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:21pmMSNBC is all about destroying free speech… just look at their 100% biased programming. Big Brother is proud.
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:33pmI wonder if Bashir would recommend that Soros’ media outlets should also come under scrutiny. Oh yes I forgot, Soros has the Obama’s monkey ear; so that wouldn’t go anywhere.
Report Post »No_Comment
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:20pmGood Idea! But lest have a vote nationwide on it and see which side gets to regulate the other ? lol
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:20pmthat s capitalism stupid , leave people along and they will gain wealth until government steps in and tells them how to run there business and steals all of there monies in the name of government .. gezzz
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:31pmtheir…
shows ownership…their government, their monies, their time…\
Not over there…
Sheesh…
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:56pmtrolltrainer…you are, you’re funny! :)
Report Post »harumph
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:16pm(shhh… Murdoch gave a bunch of money to Obama’s campaign)
Report Post »Knewskul
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:18pmbecause Obama is a corporate lap-dog and is doing fine job continuing Bush policies. Sorry commi-busters, but Obama isn’t a socialist, he’s a corporatist.
Report Post »elosogrande
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:16pmDoes Bashir wear his knee pads over his pants, or under his pants like Matthews?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:18pmIs THAT what gives him that thrill up the leg. His knee pads are touching on a nerve.
Report Post »Bullhorn Guy
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:15pmMartin Bashir is the smartest man on television.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:19pmYou forgot to add this at the end of your post
/sarc
Report Post »joe3
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:22pmif your calling for an end to free speech, you need to be kicked off the air, your advertising held accountable by the tea party and other real americans, just like the communists did to beck. fight fire with fire, and water.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:45pmNot!!!!!
Report Post »its_time_to_arrest_our_government
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:45pmno i think its time we get rid of the left wing anti Americans in our government who think its their job to spend us into slavery to the government. our form of government is not the problem and its not our capitalism. its the liberal fungus that’s infected it. liberal progressive socialist tree hugger’s all pretty much mean the same thing, communism. they feel a need to steal from the hard work of others by saying they have too much money, and they think they got some kind of right to it. now it don’t matter to me what you call them a thief is a thief be they come in the guise of government or sneaking in through the window. the time has come to remove all of this decay from our nation and replace it with a new set of people who will follow the rules our founders laid down, nothing more, nothing less. its time to remove every judge who thinks their job is to make law from the bench. just about everything government does any more is unconstitutional. they have assumed powers never given to them. they have twisted and violated the constitution to suit themselves and fill their pockets with our money or the insider trading that goes on with the info that would put you or i in jail if we did what they do. our employees have become corrupt and its time to put the whole batch in jail. they have violated not only our rights, our constitution, and the trust we afforded them with. if we don’t bring this to an end now our nation is surly finished as the great country we once were.
Report Post »Bullhorn Guy
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:03pmOops, did I say smartest? I meant handsomest.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:15pmSo government can illegally wire tap, illegally seize assets, illegally tax and regulate. Government can throw innocent people in jail, kill billions via genocide and steal, lie and destroy. That is the issue, GOVERNMENT needs to be regulated!
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:30pmYou are right cessna. imo
Report Post »michael48
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:15pmwell excellant…when the (R)s take back power , we can eliminate …whoever the he!! you are…DEM-WIT…where in he!! does the MSM get these people??? DNC potus hopefuls??? dam, get a ****** or a hot dog and you to , can be an IDIOT…THAT NO ONE KNOWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 1:03pmIf you really think the (R)’s are gonna fix everything…you better take a second look….it‘s the government as a whole that’s the problem….all of them need to be held accountable….you can find fault on both sides of the isle…trust me on that one
Report Post »AZ Aviator
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:14pmDoes this dolt not realize that one day they will shut him up too?
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 6:17pmMaybe he knows they will never shut him up because he will always be the loyal lapdog.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:05pmIt’s a sad, sad day in America when people like him have a platform from which to promote Marxism/Communism/Socialism/Totalitarianism to what used to be a free people.
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