Boston TV newscaster Barry Nolan was outraged to learn back in 2008 that Fox host Bill O’Reilly was getting an award from the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. So Nolan made flyers documenting various O’Reilly outrages and distributed them at the local Emmys ceremony—and did not do so in a disruptive manner. He was soon fired by his employer (Comcast), and told his story at Think Progress.
It turns out there was even more to it. A new article at the Columbia Journalism Review website by Terry Ann Knopf (8/16/10) reveals that pressure on Comcast came directly from News Corp/O’Reilly:
On May 12, 2008—two days after the Emmys—O’Reilly went on the offensive against what he called Nolan’s “outrageous behavior” with a carefully worded, lawyerly letter to Brian Roberts, the chairman and CEO of Comcast, which distributes Fox News and entertainment programming, to its subscribers. The letter was written on Fox News stationery and was copied to Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.
Pointedly, O’Reilly began by noting their mutual business interests. ‘We at the O’Reilly Factor have always considered Comcast to be an excellent business partner and I believe the same holds true for the entire Fox News Channel. Therefore, it was puzzling to see a Comcast employee, Barry Nolan, use Comcast corporate assets to attack me and FNC.” Telling the Comcast CEO that Nolan had attended the Emmy Awards “in conjunction with Comcast,” O’Reilly apologized for bothering him but let him know he considered this “a disturbing situation.”
Knopf also reports that while Comcast has claimed that Nolan wasn’t fired for speaking his mind (“Professional journalists need to have the right to express their opinions without fear of correction or retribution from a corporate parent,” a company executive he explained), court documents
reveal that Comcast and Fox were involved in “ongoing” contract talks at the time, with Comcast fearing Nolan’s protest “jeopardized and harmed” its business dealings with Fox. In response to a question posed by Nolan’s attorneys in his lawsuit, Comcast‘s written response, dated Aug. 5, 2009, states:
“Mr. Nolan’s protest at the NATAS Award Ceremony and of William O’Reilly as the recipient of the Governor’s Award jeopardized and harmed the business and economic interests of Comcast in connection with its contract with Fox News Channel, and its contract negotiations with Fox News that were ongoing at the time.”
One almost gets the feeling that O’Reilly just might be a thin-skinned bully.
Not quite. One gets the impression here that O’Reilly is a business man and understands that being part of a company means BEING PART OF A COMPANY. Example: If you work for one, and your company has a good business relationship with another company, it’s not really in your interest to use your company’s name and assets to protest accolades awarded to that business partner. I don’t wonder at Comcast firing Nolan; I’d do the same thing. It’s common sense, really (not to overuse that phrase, but there seems to be quite a lack of it going around lately). You don’t want someone working for you who is going to harm your company’s opportunities.
Once again, “FAIR” demonstrates no comprehension of the meaning of the word.
So Mitch, you’re saying whoever brings in the most money gets the prize, not who might be accurate regarding the news?
Do you suppose Dr. Laura is outraged at the silencing of Barry Nolan?
What goes around comes around, and the time will come for Billo and the other overripe turnips.
Quote from article: “So Nolan made flyers documenting various O’Reilly outrages and distributed them at the local Emmys ceremony–and did not do so in a disruptive manner. He was soon fired by his employer (Comcast), and told his story at Think Progress. ” “He did not do so in a disruptive manner” – meaning he just laid the truth out and still they ignored it. I find whatever O’Reilly says to be mostly outrageously wrong, his yelling at people, and interupting them while they answer “HIS” questions, most annoying. He is not reporting the news, he is deciding what is the news and adjusting it to his way. Most people can’t stand him. I do feel sorry for people who actually believe his garbage. He’s just an wild entertainer, with no real news to report.
So, Mitch, how’s it going where you work? Any connections to this chump O’really and those greedy corporations? And, if there were connections, would you speak the truth like Bill O’really?
Say it aint so Joe.Bill O got pissed and spoke up about somebody who ticked him off?Stop the presses.Call out the gaurd.This is a national eeeeeeeeemergency!Man talk about small potats.
Bill creams the lib fools who bought into this regime.And he gives the regime a hard swift boot in the arse nightly.By the numbers and the polls he is doing OK.Good for him.Anybody who speaks up against this madness is worth a listen and a prayer for their good health.I love people who knock his meathods(that is always fair).His intelligence(his school grades unlike BAMS are open for viewing and they are stupendous.His facts(dont waste your time.When I worked for the other side I spent many a day running down his facts.Like Rush he is solid as hell)Now if you wanna really see facts that are called that in name only,check out Kieth Obermann.He lies more than …well Obama and Pelosi put together.And that is a mountain of lies.
Michael, what are your credentials? There is nothing legitimate about either Rush or Bill. They are not journalists, they are entertainers, or more accurately, provocateurs. They do not report facts, they give their opinions, which are entirely biased. They do not present the full range of facts on any issue, ever. The fact that these people are allowed to practice as broadcast journalists is nothing short of hilarious. They would have done a good job promoting Hitler, those two. You’re right where you belong, Michael E., defending those whose values are profits, profits, profits. They have no interested in the truth whatsoever. You’re analytical knife is just not sharp enough. Good luck to you.
Michael E., by blindly supporting the nonsense and outright lies spouted by both Bill O and Rush L, has just given up any right he may have had to be taken seriously by anyone genuinely interested in things like ‘facts’ and ‘reason’. Please feel free to ignore him in the future, as I will.
Additionally, there is always something suspect about anonymously posting one’s opinion online; it seems that in doing so, one lacks the courage to own one’s convictions.
Mitch and Michael……where do I start?……needless to say, it appears your (both of you) stupidity is proverbial. It is the likes of you who are responsible for America’s apparent decline.
Sorry I offend people.But my offense is only the first lapping of waves at your enlightened feet that will in November turn into a tidal wave sweeping this regime and its beliefs from its strangle hold on America.You had an amazing run and a shot at turning this country on it’s head, and making it something it’s founders,its constitution and its people never intended.Your Run is just about over
.When I first heard Obama was running I made my predictions of what an Obama Presidency would look like.Obama you see was my pet project.I had watched him for years.Read all his books and papers that I could get my hands on.Since even before his first convention speech.I correctly surmised his coming love affair with wacko left wingers.When they said Hilary would clean his clock- I told all those that would listen that this guy is “like nailing Jello to the wall.He is fundamentaly ideological, and dishonest.”i felt even well meaning people would be conned into thinking him centrist ,ignoring his own words,published and otherwise.I thought him hard to beat since he would run against Bush who was successfully villafied by a left wing owned and operated press..Bill and Hilary I” said” will be sadly surprised at his ablomb, and his Chicago thug style politics- where truth is a foreign tongue.When Dem light McCain came on board I had no illusions.Point is he has done more damage than even my worst predictions pointed to.People like Beck and Billo have easy pickens now.Obama is out in the light,and it aint perrty.Dont blame the people (like them) making hay while the sun shines.Whatever you may of been told or sold or believe from these toads….America is not this.They simply do not understand the exeptionalism that is America.They instead think her flawed.Pelosi still believes her own insanity as well.So Rush points to their living like kings while they ask you to pull your belts tight.And for that Rush is blamed.???? Come November we on the right, and you on the left(well maybe not you)are gonna throw these bums out in our quest to re-find(not redefine)America.Anyone off the street would do a better job.We don’t need tea baggers,or Ron Paul,Or Republican leaders.Anyone would do better.Keep it coming FOX ,EIB,and all the rest.
Michael e, you are exceptional. I think somebody must be paying you to write here on an inconsequential backwater like FAIR.
Bilho
When I first heard about FAIR I was told it was a new Forum built to point out the abdication on the part of the press to do its job(not just on the left but on the right as well).During the last election I was stunned that the freedom/trust that is given to the press to go and do what it must to find the truth- was misused.They became advocates,not reporters.I thought FAIR might touch on that.Instead i found it seemed to be a place to attack those few vestiges of dissent against Obama and liberalism left standing.And a place where like minded people could meet and jawbone for this reason.You see “they”thought they had killed off all us crazy people who were not following the new savior in the last go round.In writing I was kind of saying”the circumstances of our death have been greatly over exaggerated”(Franklin?).
I believe America is on the wrong course.I think Americans have been badly served.On these” pages”I have found a hornets nest of folks who think this tour boat is pointed correctly, and want the engines gunned full speed ahead.Damn the torpedos and the wreckage.
Now I just hope to lend my voice( hopefully joined)saying ‘hey guys climb out of Kieth Obermanns PJs….. it’s time to wake the hell up.I want To give the other side of the coin, to their fun house mirror way of looking at things.Its like a relationship.If someone puts the seed of doubt in your mind about your cheating spouse you can leave ga ga land and start to see the forrest for the trees.I think step one for a lot of these bloggers is to get that seed, and start to realize he aint all that…. OR a bag of chips.And that goes for this liberal ideology,which is nothing like what it was ,and has morphed into big government takeovers at the expense of our freedom.They you see(the libs)- are being wrongly served most of all.And Bilho there are no backwaters in this age.Our next leader may have appeared on these pages.Actually I can state uniquivically that he/she has.Because it is you!Remember WE THE PEOPLE?…….>THEY WORK FOR US!!!!!!!
Thank you for your comment.It is greatly appreciated.Right back at ya.(And I hope you don’t catch hell for it)
Be well
jeez…watching this michael e get all tingly over billo and rushbo is quite a sight…sure obsesses about keith a lot, too…
Well, I live in Alexandria, Virginia. When I read about the Nolan-O’Reilly deal, I called the Senate offices to see if I could meet with Mr. Nolan, just to shake his hand and thank him for having a spine. He got right on the phone with me; dropping by for coffee was readily agreed upon.
I’m not certain, but I’m sure Mr. Nolan got to see at least half of his Comcast salary figure evaporate into the oosphere. The money’s fun, but it distracts from the main issue: Mr. Nolan had the courage to realize he had to stand up and tell the truth about O’Reilly (who’s really an entertainer, not a journalist). I met with Mr. Nolan just to thank him for having a spine, something not found that often on Capitol Hill. (BTW, O’Reilly wouldn’t have had the class and grace to carve out some time for a stranger.)
Courage itself is not often found on the Hill either. You may focus on the money, but Mr. Nolan didn’t know what would happen when he confronted Mr O’Reilly (I would have thrown cream pies in Mr. O’Reilly’s face). Mr. Nolan I’m sure considered his annual income right now would have been $00.00 (before taxes).
I remember Mr. Nolan from my time in Boston and DC. He was always a good journalist. This O’Reilly confrontation showed he wasn’t a good journalist: He was really a great one.
Hey Frank.Lesson to be learned in business…..When you insult the big dog,you risk loosing something)(our job).Comcast knows on what side their bread is buttered.Nolan wanted to insult O’rielly in disregard for the greater business interests as if being a journalist is some hallowed ground that would leave him untouchable.Didnt work out that way.No-one muzzled him.He is still free to yap away.But just like you and me….he works at others behest and at any time for any reason can be terminated.JUST LIKE YOU AND ME!.Boo hoo.Get over it.Orielly has a right in a free country to say”I don’t like being affiliated with this creep.”If comcast agreed he was acting like a creep…. bada bing bad boom out he goes.
A certain General bad mouthed OBAMA AND OUT HE WENT.In a lib world of Government jobs and unions- that Donald Trump word “Fired” as in your fired seems to become the unthinkable.Happens every day.Poor poor pinkus.
And while we are at it….What is a jounalist?This state of being that Bill Oreilly is not?Is it all those accredited people who did nothing to out Obama during the election?Who in fact silenced dissent?Who became activists instead of reporters?A lower job I have never witnessed.Journalism died during the last election folks.Dont ask me to cut it much slack.
Maybe he can get a job with the white house press pool working for the prez….Then start slapping Obama around telling the world what a horrific job he is doing.Use that vaunted spine of his.Might he get…..Fired?He acted like a petulant creep once.Twice wont hurt him none.See ya in the funny papers Mr Nolan
FAKE NEWS