For all the liberal smears against Fox News claiming they’re “state-run media,” it has become clear that's exactly what Bloomberg News would become if former Mayor Michael Bloomberg wins in 2020. While ABC, CBS, and NBC spent Sunday evening and Monday hyping the billionaire’s new presidential campaign, they ignored how Bloomberg News had been ordered to not investigate their owner or his Democratic opponents, and to keep the pressure on President Trump. Some might argue it was the weaponization of a media outlet for personal gain.
During NBC Nightly News on Monday evening, chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell enjoyed announcing Bloomberg’s candidacy: “After years of will he or won't he? Three-term New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Republican turned independent, now a Democrat, in a Virginia diner today now a presidential candidate.”
“Money. Money, money, money. He has more of it than any other candidate,” boasted CBS political correspondent Ed O’Keefe on CBS This Morning. “So he doesn’t have some of the hurdles that the others do. After initially ruling out a run earlier this year, Bloomberg is officially in, running as a moderate Democrat.” NBC’s Today also falsely labeled him a “moderate.”
After playing a couple of soundbites from Bloomberg’s campaign ads, ABC correspondent Linsey Davis gushed on Good Morning America: “Estimated to be worth $53 billion, he's one of the richest people in the world, and now using his own money to fund his race for the White House. His campaign says he'll spend whatever it takes.”
Meanwhile, the Fox News Channel’s Special Report actually informed viewers of Bloomberg’s underhanded manipulation of his news company.
“Bloomberg News is a global media giant, 2,700 journalists around the world, a TV network, magazine. All of whom will now be handcuffed in covering their boss' presidential campaign,” warned media analyst and MediaBuzz host Howard Kurtz.
Kurtz raised serious questions about the situation at Bloomberg News after he shared a memo sent around to employees there telling them to stick to the “tradition” of not touching their owner:
Editor-in-chief John Micklethwait told the staff yesterday, “we will continue our tradition of not investigating Mike and his family and foundation.” That prohibition extends to Bloomberg's rivals because, “we cannot treat Mike's Democratic competitors differently.” But, and this raises the appearance of partisanship, the company will continue to investigate President Trump. It's not clear whether Trump's family would also be fair game as opposed to Joe Biden's son.
Even though Bloomberg News was not supposed to cover their owner, Kurtz pointed out that a recent report of his entry into the race was just gooey praise for the man that pays them. “The initial story said he's, ‘offering his own mix of moderate policy stances and experience in business, government, and philanthropy’ as a way to beat Trump,” Kurtz read.
Then there was the editor vs. editor reactions Bloomberg’s campaign. While two current Bloomberg News Opinion editors were going on vacation to campaign for their boss, “Former Bloomberg editor Megan Murphy said the policy was ‘ridiculous’ and ‘not journalism.’ And that three years ago she threatened to resign over a similar memo.”
As he was wrapping up his segment, Kurtz hit the nail on the head in regards to what Bloomberg’s order does to his new outlet: “As mayor, Bloomberg refused to tell the press his whereabouts on weekend trips. Now, he's limiting his own company's ability to cover his campaign at the risk of undermining its journalistic independence.”
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
November 25, 2019
6:12:42 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: Bloomberg's media empire could prove to be an issue of its own, as the boss runs for president. Fox News media analyst and host of Fox's MediaBuzz, Howard Kurtz has that part of the story tonight.
[Cuts to video]
HOWARD KURTZ: Bloomberg News is a global media giant, 2,700 journalists around the world, a TV network, magazine. All of whom will now be handcuffed in covering their boss' presidential campaign.
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: I worked morning, noon, and night to repay a public trust they put in me.
KURTZ: But does that trust extent of the company Mike Bloomberg built, which limited coverage of its founder when he ran New York City?
Editor-in-chief John Micklethwait told the staff yesterday, “we will continue our tradition of not investigating Mike and his family and foundation.” That prohibition extends to Bloomberg's rivals because, “we cannot treat Mike's Democratic competitors differently.” But, and this raises the appearance of partisanship, the company will continue to investigate President Trump. It's not clear whether Trump's family would also be fair game as opposed to Joe Biden's son.
The company will largely limit its coverage to Bloomberg’s speeches, policies, and polls. The initial story said he's, “offering his own mix of moderate policy stances and experience in business, government, and philanthropy” as a way to beat Trump.
Tim O’Brien and David Shipley, top editors at Bloomberg opinion, are taking leaves to join his campaign and the section is barring any op-eds about the 2020 campaign. Former Bloomberg editor Megan Murphy said the policy was “ridiculous” and “not journalism.” And that three years ago she threatened to resign over a similar memo.
But as with The Washington Post examining Jeff Bezos and Amazon. Other Media companies cover billionaire owners.
[Cuts back to live]
As mayor, Bloomberg refused to tell the press his whereabouts on weekend trips. Now, he's limiting his own company's ability to cover his campaign at the risk of undermining its journalistic independence. Bret.
BAIER: Howie, thanks.
