Why Cenk Uygur Left MSNBC - Part 2

[Tx4obama]

Run time: 05:18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEYkBA5ze6c   Posted on YouTube: July 21, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheYoungTurks Views on YouTube: 200   Posted on DU: July 21, 2011 By DU Member: Tx4obama Views on DU: 3837

 

Part 1:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x601778

[hlthe2b]

1. Can't watch right now... Anyone want to summarize the reasons?

[Atman]

2. Dammit...give us a synopsis!

DU pet peeve #1: people who post OMG! videos with nothing but a sub-line and a link.

[housewolf]

3. Thanks for posting these

I've been wondering what's been going on with his show, I'll miss him on MSNBC

[Mosaic]

4. Speaking truth to power

God speed to Cenk, his internet show, and all who speak truth to power. No fear.

[OhioChick]

5. Apparently, speaking the truth at MSNBC is a no-no n/t

[tblue37]

6. Unrec for no summary. nt

[ihavenobias]

8. Video Description

Cenk Uygur (host of The Young Turks) explains why he turned down a new, significantly larger MSNBC contract after hosting a prime-time show on the network that was beating CNN in the key demo ratings. He also shares his thoughts on Rachel Maddow and Fox News.

(Transcripts are coming tomorrow I hope)

[tblue37]

11. A summary of the reason(s) that led him to leave or to be let go

would be useful.

It is not useful to say "He gives his reasons." That tells nothing. What are his main reasons?

I am severely hearing impaired, as are many other DUers. We cannot liste to videos online.

Some others have dial-ups or access DU in places where they cannot play the sound.

A brief summary of the main point would help a lot.

[tblue37]

13. Someone else posted about Cenk's reasons for leaving. THIS

is the sort of summary I would find useful:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1536247

Mr. Uygur, who by most accounts was well liked within MSNBC, said in an interview that he turned down the new contract because he felt Mr. Griffin had been the recipient of political pressure. In April, he said, Mr. Griffin “called me into his office and said that he’d been talking to people in Washington, and that they did not like my tone.” He said he guessed Mr. Griffin was referring to White House officials, though he had no evidence for the assertion. He also said that Mr. Griffin said the channel was part of the “establishment,” and “that you need to act like it.”

The quote is, I believe, from the NY Times, but the poster added the bolding.

Although the summary of Cenk's points is from an article, it is still a good example of how easy it is to briefly summarize those points. He was told by the head of MSNBC that MSNBC is part of the establishment, and to be part of MSNBC Cenk also needs to act like he is part of the establishment. The head of MSNBC also made it clear that Cenk needed to ensure that the people in DC are not displeased by the program's tone.

[Tx4obama]

17. See comment #16 for more details.

[John Agar]

22. OR you could use the time you devoted to complaining to watch the video.

Either here or on Youtube or TYT.

I don't understand the insistence.

[JDPriestly]

7. I'm totally with Cenk on this.

Been there and done that.

Never forget the boss I had who assigned me to write a memo for him.

I analyzed and studied all the information very, very carefully and wrote the memo telling him what the outcome would be if he took one course of action or another.

He came to me after he read the memo. He was furious and said, "When I tell you to write a memo, I want you to write a memo that tells me I'm right." Of course, he didn't want me around much after that.

I found a better job, and his business failed a few years later.

You are always better off in the end doing what is right, acting with integrity.

I'm not in the 24-55 age group -- much older.

Cenk, you are "awesome."

Be strong. And keep posting Cenk on DU, please.

[CherylK]

23. +1

:toast:

[20score]

9. K&R!

[grahamhgreen]

10. I wonder if Skinner has ever gotten a talking to like that from any establishment bigwigs...?

[WiffenPoof]

12. Cenk Is An Amazing Man

He was really the only reason why I would watch MSNBC.

-P

[libodem]

14. The 4th estate survives

Thanks for not selling out for $$$$. Morals and principles mean more than $$$$.
Thanks for speaking out.

[Tx4obama]

15. Cenk will be a special guest on Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann Thursday night

Cenk will be a special guest on Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann Thursday night

http://tinyurl.com/3vnpd9h

[bdamomma]

19. thanks for the heads up.

that should be an interesting conversation between Cenk and Keith. Keith will tell him don't sweat it.

[lovemydog]

16. Summary and thanks

I'll try and give a summary for those who asked. Cenk Uyger, host of The Young Turks web show, was at MSNBC. His ratings were doing well, and he was even beating CNN and Fox in some key demographics (like ages 18-34). But rather than offer him the 6 pm hosting slot, the management there instead asked him to take a more reduced role. But they offered him a lot of money (he said they offered him double what he was already making there at MSNBC). He decided to say no, and leave MSNBC. He really didn't want to stop telling the truth about power in Washington. That most of it is corrupt and dishonorable. But he also takes great care to say that each relationship at MSNBC is different. That Rachel Maddow and the others all have their own way of having gained the ability to say what they want to say. One of his buddies in the studio asks a great question - were they really trying to co-opt you by 'buying' you silence? Cenk explains that it is possible but he doesn't want to jump to that conclusion. He also explains there's a huge difference between MSNBC and Fox. Fox actually tells anchors what they can and cannot say. For example, they are told to not say public option, say 'government option'. Not say 'health care' say 'Obamacare'. Stuff that does well in polling numbers among republicans. Cenk said that MSNBC does not do this. They basically let them do what he wanted and say what he wanted. Cenk then goes into a bit more detail about how he basically just felt a bit uptight there and maybe didn't become part of the club or whatever kind of 'insider' type thing is going on there with management. He will go back to The Young Turks, whose viewers have supported him one hundred percent, and enable him to say exactly what he wants to say. Then he explains more about why he decided to leave during both parts of the explanation, which totals around 20 minutes. It is well worth watching!

Thanks for posting this. I'm looking forward to watching Cenk more on The Young Turks!

[bulloney]

18. And that is the reason why talk radio and TV shows are overwhelmingly corporate and RW.

If you speak on behalf of liberals/progressives, the "establishment" pressures your boss to change your tone or be fired. It has little if anything to do with the consensus of the nation favoring RW views of issues.

[ejbr]

20. k\

[joanbarnes]

21. Love Cenk. Will always support him and The Truth