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The media pundit's pundit. Written by NYC insider Jeff Jarvis, BuzzMachine covers news, media, journalism, and politics.

Moneychanger in the temple

15 comments on Moneychanger in the temple

Moneychanger in the temple

: Just saw a frightening commercial, a mininfomercial, on FoxNews with Pat Boone “interviewing” Brent Bozell about his book to sell it. Go to one of Bozell’s sites and you’ll find him hawking now only his books — in $50 gift bundles — but also “Don’t Believe the Liberal Media” bumperstickers and Christmas-tree ornaments. Go to his other site, and he’s begging for donations.

I’m all for the guy having opinions (so long as he doesn’t try to force them down my throat). And I’m all for him making money (hey, it’s America).

But every time a news organization invites this guy on TV, they should realize that they’re not only feeding his apparent agenda — censoring our popular culture according to his right-wing religious priggish views — but also stuffing his pockets.

And that’s why I’m a bit surprised to see some of the names on this list people helping Bozell “judge” a list of quotes of the year. There are a fair number of journalists listed — some you know. Aren’t they just furthering Bozell’s own agenda (and business)?

15 responses to “Moneychanger in the temple”

  1. daudder Avatar
    daudder

    just another indication that Bozell and his watchdog group are a BUSINESS…one that uses trumped up outrage as a conduit for cash. pathetic.
    how much does he get paid, by the way.

  2. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    Am I the only one who finds it really wierd to sell a “Don’t Believe the Liberal Media” Christmas ornament? Political slogans on a Christmas tree? Very odd…..

  3. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    But the Liberals say it isn’t a Christmas tree, just a holiday tree, so it’s OK.

  4. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Agreed, Jeff, but know that Brent is independently wealthy (family money). He probably wants to fund yet more “media research.”

  5. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Bozell’s a despicable bastard, I agree… but how is his being invited onto TV to hawk his initiatives any different from anyone else going on a talk show to hawk a new book?

  6. paladin Avatar
    paladin

    Jeez! Get a grip. Have you forgotten the parade of anti-Bush books/movies/radio shows over the past year and half? Paul O’Neill, Richard Clarke, David Corn, Eric Alterman, your pal Al Franken, Kitty Kelly, etc. etc. Most of these people appeared on The Today Show and other MSM venues to hawk their wares. Fox is small potatoes compared to the publicity granted to the anti-Bush forces. If the left is gonna dish it out, they’re gonna have to take it, and Bozell on Fox is nothing compared to the above.

  7. NewScrewer Avatar
    NewScrewer

    Am I the only one who finds it really wierd to sell a “Don’t Believe the Liberal Media” Christmas ornament? Political slogans on a Christmas tree? Very odd…..
    No, Richard, you’re not. Just who is it that’s trying to steal Christmas anyway?
    And paladin, you’ve got a point. It’s not that we can’t take it, though, it’s got more to do with the taste left in our mouths.

  8. Mara Avatar
    Mara

    Jeff, you’re about the only guy who shows up on these cable shows and talk radio without a book to hawk along with your opinion. Watch CNN, MSNBC or FOX NewsChannel during the day. Every introduction of a guest commentator includes a book plug.

  9. carsonfire Avatar
    carsonfire

    Technically, if you’re a Democrat, you need to buy Bozell’s book. Choose the Blue says you should be spending your money on companies that give more to Democrats than to Republicans, and it lists FoxNews as blue, having donated 61/39 Dem. And so anybody plugging on this “blue” network, you should support, right?
    (No, don’t get mad. I’m just trying to be funny and failing miserably. I’d be typing a winkie, if this was that kind of a forum)

  10. Alan Kellogg Avatar
    Alan Kellogg

    Bozell hates people, simple as that. He wants folks to conform to an impossible ideal, instead of letting them be themselves.
    We can be rude. We can be courteous. But at all times we’re people, and it’s about time folks like Bozell got over it.
    Perfect decorum is no sign of a kind heart.

  11. Pete Avatar
    Pete

    So, what’s the difference between an “agenda” and an “opinion” that you’d like others to know about and eventually agree with? (I think I know – an agenda is an opinion you disagree with, which makes your opinion…an agenda – at least to somebody, I would guess ;-).
    Is the form of the “return” what is important (i.e. the gain on the sale of a book versus, for example, your gain on your media exposure)?
    Nobody is without bias, as far as I can tell. It’s the bias of being human and having opinions.
    In the “biblical” spirit of this post’s title, then, let he who is without sin…

  12. dick Avatar
    dick

    Yet it is OK for Sixty Minutes to have people on who are published by the owner of that program publicizing their books without noting that Viacom owns the publisher! Talk about double standards!!

  13. JRK Avatar
    JRK

    I’m shocked Jeff. Just shocked. Don’t they realize they’re stuffing his pockets? Like when CNN’s Larry King massages an hour infomercial for People for the American Way with guest Norman Lear. Oh, wait. That’s OK. They’re liberal after all. Move along folks, nothing to see here.

  14. Jeff Jarvis Avatar
    Jeff Jarvis

    JRK: If you’re going to work your way down leaving your little present of snark at every post you don’t like, I’ll warn you: You have a very long night ahead of you.

  15. Jeff Jarvis Avatar
    Jeff Jarvis

    Dick: And where did I say that? I never said that. I have been screeching about the need for more media transparency and revealing such conflicts is exactly what should be done. Don’t put words in my mouth. There are enough there already.