Letter to Sheppard Smith of Fox News Part 2 - 9.19.2007.2
Continued from Letter to Sheppard Smith of Fox News Part 1...
I noted that in your Studio B program of that same Friday, you spent approximately 40 minutes covering the aspects of the OJ case. Roughly half of that time was review of coverage that had been expressed consistently on Fox News since at least 10am that day. Other items of news, particularly a storm warning as I recall, received barely 30 seconds of coverage. Why did you focus so much time to this one story?
Over the past year and a half, you have consistently referred to OJ Simpson’s prior case when referring to any questionable murder involving family members or interlinked persons. I believe that you have made such references roughly 7 times a month over the last year and a half on average. In each case your usage of the OJ murder trial inferred, or outright declared as I recall, guilt on the part of OJ. But as you are aware from the coverage you did of the trial, 12 peers found Mr. Simpson innocent of the charges. What justifies your tacit implication of Mr. Simpson as a murderer?
Do you feel that your negative commentary about Mr. Simpson and the outcome of his case on national television has had a negative impact on African Americans in the nation? If not, how do you justify that belief?
On September 13th, you were the only individual in national televised news media, that I am aware of, to cover the then breaking news on the torture, rape, and abuse of Ms. Megan Williams of West Virginia. To my knowledge your roughly 3 minutes of time on television was the only televised coverage to date. Why has this story not been covered?
In your coverage, and that of Fox News and other major news media, of the Bobby Cutts case, you were able to learn of every job Mr. Cutts had ever had. You were able to report on every child and relationship he had, within the first 3 days of the breaking news as I recall. You also presumed, apparently from your words and tone, his guilt from the first day of coverage. That same presumption of guilt, in depth fact finding, and emotional responses were not provided to coverage of Mr. Christopher Vaughn who murdered his wife and 2 children at the same time. Why is that?
Do you believe that there is a bias in the media against African Americans?
Why was there no coverage, that I am aware of, on the conviction of Mr. Jonathan Riches, who murdered 2 Black men 42 years ago and has only just been brought to justice, although authorities knew at the time of the murders of his guilt?
I want to note that while I have asked hard questions here, I realize that some answers can only be your speculation and that you have no control over what is done at the corporate level. I also want to commend you on much of your reporting.
As I mentioned, only Studio B covered the news about Ms. Megan Williams, to my knowledge. I share your love of this country, and those in the Armed Forces that protect us. I agreed with your anger that you received more emails about an injured dog as opposed to homeless vets being dumped on the streets instead of receiving medical treatment. And I continue to watch Fox News and your coverage daily.
Again, my purpose is to provide you an opportunity to respond to my questions and to allow my readers and myself the chance to understand how the news is covered. Perhaps more importantly this is a chance for my readers and I to learn what determines coverage and degree of depth we see on televised national cable news.
Mr. Smith I look forward to your response, in part or in whole, and I will publish it verbatim as I stated previously. If you and/or the staff of Fox News would like to reach me directly on this matter or any post I have made, you may contact me at info@vassconsult.com or 718-344-6921.
Sincerely,
Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting, Inc.
718-344-6921
info@vassconsult.com
I noted that in your Studio B program of that same Friday, you spent approximately 40 minutes covering the aspects of the OJ case. Roughly half of that time was review of coverage that had been expressed consistently on Fox News since at least 10am that day. Other items of news, particularly a storm warning as I recall, received barely 30 seconds of coverage. Why did you focus so much time to this one story?
Over the past year and a half, you have consistently referred to OJ Simpson’s prior case when referring to any questionable murder involving family members or interlinked persons. I believe that you have made such references roughly 7 times a month over the last year and a half on average. In each case your usage of the OJ murder trial inferred, or outright declared as I recall, guilt on the part of OJ. But as you are aware from the coverage you did of the trial, 12 peers found Mr. Simpson innocent of the charges. What justifies your tacit implication of Mr. Simpson as a murderer?
Do you feel that your negative commentary about Mr. Simpson and the outcome of his case on national television has had a negative impact on African Americans in the nation? If not, how do you justify that belief?
On September 13th, you were the only individual in national televised news media, that I am aware of, to cover the then breaking news on the torture, rape, and abuse of Ms. Megan Williams of West Virginia. To my knowledge your roughly 3 minutes of time on television was the only televised coverage to date. Why has this story not been covered?
In your coverage, and that of Fox News and other major news media, of the Bobby Cutts case, you were able to learn of every job Mr. Cutts had ever had. You were able to report on every child and relationship he had, within the first 3 days of the breaking news as I recall. You also presumed, apparently from your words and tone, his guilt from the first day of coverage. That same presumption of guilt, in depth fact finding, and emotional responses were not provided to coverage of Mr. Christopher Vaughn who murdered his wife and 2 children at the same time. Why is that?
Do you believe that there is a bias in the media against African Americans?
Why was there no coverage, that I am aware of, on the conviction of Mr. Jonathan Riches, who murdered 2 Black men 42 years ago and has only just been brought to justice, although authorities knew at the time of the murders of his guilt?
I want to note that while I have asked hard questions here, I realize that some answers can only be your speculation and that you have no control over what is done at the corporate level. I also want to commend you on much of your reporting.
As I mentioned, only Studio B covered the news about Ms. Megan Williams, to my knowledge. I share your love of this country, and those in the Armed Forces that protect us. I agreed with your anger that you received more emails about an injured dog as opposed to homeless vets being dumped on the streets instead of receiving medical treatment. And I continue to watch Fox News and your coverage daily.
Again, my purpose is to provide you an opportunity to respond to my questions and to allow my readers and myself the chance to understand how the news is covered. Perhaps more importantly this is a chance for my readers and I to learn what determines coverage and degree of depth we see on televised national cable news.
Mr. Smith I look forward to your response, in part or in whole, and I will publish it verbatim as I stated previously. If you and/or the staff of Fox News would like to reach me directly on this matter or any post I have made, you may contact me at info@vassconsult.com or 718-344-6921.
Sincerely,
Michael Vass
President – M V Consulting, Inc.
718-344-6921
info@vassconsult.com
Labels: african american, Bobby Cutts, cable news, Fox News, Jonathan Riches, M V Consulting, Megan Williams, news media, OJ Simpson, Sheppard Smith, Studio B
posted by M. Vass | 8:14 AM
|
0 comments
links to this post
His apparent glee has stuck out among most in the major news media and I have noted it. I will say that this is not the first time I have taken umbrage with the reporting of Mr. Smith, or others at Fox News. I must also note that there have been several news stories that only Mr. Smith has covered, and his emotional outrage, or joy, has been a mirror of my own feelings. 