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KTVA calls claims pushed by Palin on Fox News Sunday "absurd"

October 31, 2010 2:18 pm ET by Media Matters staff

Politico's Ben Smith reported, "Big Government today posted a snippet of recorded conversation from the newsroom of the Anchorage CBS Affiliate KTVA," and that "Sarah Palin on Fox News Sunday this morning called the tape evidence that the station are 'corrupt bastards' conspiring to fabricate news about Miller."

Smith further wrote, "The transcript does not, in fact, make it terribly clear what they're talking about," and that KTVA general manger Jerry Bever issued a statement saying that the allegations being forwarded by Palin were "absurd."

KTVA's statement in full:

A press release issued Saturday October 30, 2010, by the Joe Miller campaign claims that KTVA personnel, "openly discuss creating, if not fabricating, two stories about Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Joe Miller." KTVA General Manager Jerry Bever says, "It's unfortunate that this recording has happened. It's unfortunate because it does not accurately reflect the journalistic standards of our newsroom and the garbled context will no doubt leave more questions than answers. The Miller campaign's analysis of the recording is incorrect in many material ways ranging from personnel involved in the conversation, the interpretation of conversation snippets and the reported transcript of the perceived garbled conversation."

"While the recording is real, the allegations are untrue," said Bever. "The recording was the result of a cell phone not being hung up after a call was placed to Randy DeSoto, Joe Miller campaign spokesperson, Thursday afternoon to discuss Joe Miller's appearance on that evening's newscast. That phone call was placed near the end of a coverage planning meeting in our newsroom regarding that evening's Miller rally in downtown Anchorage. The group of KTVA news personnel was reviewing potential "what-if" scenarios, discussing the likelihood of events at the rally and how KTVA might logistically disseminate any breaking news."

Bever continues, "The perception that this garbled, out of context recording may leave is unfortunate, but to allege that our staff was discussing or planning to create or fabricate stories regarding candidate Miller is absurd. The complete conversation was about what others might be able to do to cause disruption within the Miller campaign, not what KTVA could do."

While Bever would not discuss any personnel issues linked with the recording, Bever says "Have we had internal discussions about the level of professionalism we need to bring to our conversations, internally and externally? Of course we have, this is a lesson to learn from."

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    • Author by drdavid600 (October 31, 2010 2:26 pm ET)
         
      I remember an episode of Hogan's Heroes like this once. It turned out well, but then it was scripted that way.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by wesley (October 31, 2010 2:35 pm ET)
      2 21
      -- While the recording is real, the allegations are untrue. -- KTVA

      Since the tape is in position of the Miller campaign...how does KTVA know the full content...and thus be able to deny the charges?

      If KTVA has the full tape...confirming their rebuttal...then Brock's plaintive cry for full disclosure by Breitbart should more logically be directed at KTVA.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by sharpshooter57 (October 31, 2010 2:47 pm ET)
        1 13
        CYA rebuttal.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by dkylep (October 31, 2010 2:59 pm ET)
        14 1
        Faulty logic again. When somebody accuses somebody else of something, it is incumbent upon the accuser to make their evidence known, not the person/organization being accused. That is the way the real world works. The Tea Party/Right Wing Nutter world apparently works differently according to your logic. In bizarro world, when a person like Palin accuses this affiliate of this, she implies that they have the tapes and such but doesn't release them in their entirety (or at all at the moment).

        I repeat; to support an accusation, the accuser needs proof that what they're saying is true and valid. The person being accused needs to do nothing of the sort if no evidence has been presented that the accusation is true. And no, the word of Breitbart, Palin, and Miller aren't 'proof'. They're one and all proven liars.

        Palin better have proof if she wants to claim stuff like this, and she better allow access to the unedited versions. Otherwise it's not 'proof' at all, just more smear from the mistress of it.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by wesley (October 31, 2010 3:08 pm ET)
          1 18
          -- Faulty logic again -- dyk

          Sure is...and it's yours.

          I didn't say that Breitbart should not release the full transcript to back his claim...that's your strawman deflection. Of course Brietbart should release the tape in entirety.

          However, I'll leave it to you to explain how KTVA can make a clear and definitive rebuttal if they don't have the full tape. If they do have the full tape...then Brock's call for full disclosure should be directed to his ally in the argument...and that is KTVA...simple logic that it appears you and Brock have missed.

          If KTVA has the tape...they can clear up the entire fabrication by Breitbart...regardless of your faulty logic that they should rely on Breitbart to clear them of these charges.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (October 31, 2010 3:32 pm ET)
            13  
            They don't NEED the tape. They were witnesses to the conversation LIVE, as it happened, dummy!
            Report Abuse
          • Author by dkylep (October 31, 2010 4:00 pm ET)
            10  
            Durrrr. More wingnut 'logic' at work. How you can read a post and be so completely and utterly devoid of actually comprehending it is beyond me.

            THEY. DON'T. NEED. THE. TAPE. They don't need to do anything whatsoever unless some evidence is released that they've done something wrong. In that case they simply need to refute whatever 'proof' Breitbart and Palin have dreamed up.

            You really seem incapable of understanding simple concepts like 'burden of proof' and logical arguments. Bravo. I've seen third graders that pick up on it quicker than you.

            One more time: when a person is accusing another person of something, it isn't the responsibility of the person being accused to mount any sort of defense beyond saying that they did not do whatever it is when the only 'evidence' is the word of proven liars like Sarah Palin and Andrew Breitbart.

            I'd have thought it would be hard to fail as spectacularly at understanding that concept as you have, but you've proven me wrong. Bravo.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Unreality (October 31, 2010 10:49 pm ET)
                 
              Are you suggesting "innocent until proven guilty" is unAmerican and unconstitutional?

              </sarcasm>
              Report Abuse
        • Author by mynameis (November 01, 2010 12:41 am ET)
             
          I'm sure she is lying it would not surprise me if the press dug a little deeper and this thing would turn into a Nixonland type deal. I have never seen anyting like Andrew and Sarah if not taken into context of the political climate, you would swear they were just some made up boggy man by some cray leftist.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by MMfA$ux (November 01, 2010 1:14 pm ET)
             
          "When somebody accuses somebody else of something, it is incumbent upon the accuser to make their evidence known, not the person/organization being accused. That is the way the real world works."

          Kinda like how the Tea Party yelled the n-word at black congressmen and there is STILL no evidence?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by princeofwheels (October 31, 2010 3:00 pm ET)
        9  
        I am not in possession of the tape but I heard it.
        If there is more, what isn't it out there.

        And do you think that the tape is necessary to recall a conversation?

        The QOTUS is crying like the spoiled bitch she happens to be.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by princeofwheels (October 31, 2010 3:02 pm ET)
          10  
          wesley, why do you think that the Miller campaign would go to Breitbart with the tape? Why not Fox?

          BS=Breitbart Sh$t
          Report Abuse
          • Author by dkylep (October 31, 2010 4:05 pm ET)
            6  
            He seems incapable of understanding that when somebody accuses somebody else of something but produces no evidence, it's the responsibility of the accuser to prove their charges, not the responsibility of the accused to prove that the charges aren't true.

            Using Wesley's 'logic', you could call him a child molester and claim that you have a tape of him luring children. According to him, it's now his responsibility to seek out proof to show that he isn't, not yours for proving such a condemnation.

            See how it works Wesley, you retard lunatic?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by txthinker (November 01, 2010 10:54 am ET)
                 
              See how it works Wesley, you retard lunatic?
              Now, now - calling Wesley a "retard lunatic" is just not fair to all the retard lunatics out there ...
              Report Abuse
      • Author by MJPollard (October 31, 2010 3:16 pm ET)
        8  
        "The burden of proof is on the accuser," genius. The Quitter-in-Chief made the accusations. It's up to her to prove them. But as someone else said, that's not how things work in the Wingnut Universe, where all parties are guilty until proven innocent (and God help you if all they require is a confession).
        Report Abuse
      • Author by New Frontier (October 31, 2010 3:17 pm ET)
        8  
        Brock's plaintive cry for full disclosure by Breitbart
        Brock was addressing Palin--not Breitbart.

        BROCK: "Sarah Palin has made serious accusations of journalistic malfeasance... Palin has a responsibility to release the full, unedited tapes publicly and to all media."

        Logically, the accuser has the responsibility of providing evidence to back up their accusation. That's just common sense.

        Logic fails you.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by rwmacdonald2091 (October 31, 2010 3:22 pm ET)
        9  
        How would KTVA have the audio tape? It was a phone call that was placed to the Miller campaign. The answering machine was at Millers campaign office.

        Go back to you mothers basement, Wesley.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (October 31, 2010 3:31 pm ET)
        7  
        How does KTVA know what happened in their own newsroom?

        Duh, doofus - they were THERE, participating in the conversation while it was going on! They KNOW the context of the cropped comments, because they were part of the overall conversation!

        KTVA doesn't have to HAVE the tape - they have the memories of all the people who were there, discussing HOW they would react and report given a variety of possible scenarios!

        Geesh - this is not rocket science, dummy!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by mari2jj (November 01, 2010 1:27 am ET)
          1  
          Well, added to the problem is the fact that Breitbart already has been proven to be a liar and a serial baloney pedler. If he has the proof he says he did, why not just let the tape speak for himself to prove his point and then he could just keep his moth shut. Anyone want to bet that once again, the liar in chief had pulled another lie out of his bag of tricks?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by LeClaire (October 31, 2010 5:03 pm ET)
           
        Um. Gee. Maybe because they were there.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Michael_Dodson (October 31, 2010 5:17 pm ET)
           
        Wesley, my dear, this (the audio snippet posted by Breitbart) was from a voicemail message inadvertently left in the voicemail inbox of the Miller campaign spokesman. It was not recorded by the TV station, which has no copy of it other than what came from Breitbart via the Miller campaign.

        TV station officials know what else was said in the news department event coverage meeting because, surprise, TV station news department personnel were there and recalled what the context was and, in general, what they were discussing and said.

        A listen to the audio snippet Breitbart obviously excerpted, as he did to the Sherrod video, leaves absolutely no doubt that there is more recorded audio before what we hear. The message the caller left for the Miller campaign spokesman is missing, for sure. And, there is a good possibility there was additional conversation among the TV newsroom personnel that was not included in the released snippet. My guess is that it was not released, if it exists, because it is exculpatory for the TV newsroom personnel with regard to Breitbart's, Miller's, and Palin's fantasy about a concocted story.

        There could also be the issue about the legality of releasing the recorded material without permission of both/all parties to the phone conversation. That's a matter of state (Alaska) law. I don't know, off-hand, what ALaska law is on the matter. But, a cousin of this situation has Breitbart protege O'Keefe in trouble with Maryland officials in the ACORN case.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mari2jj (November 01, 2010 1:37 am ET)
        1  
        They know what should be on the tape if it is not doctored. But nice try. Remember folks from their staff that were involved with the planning session on this issue were there. That is why they can totally deny the details and tell whether this guy's statements are true or false. They were thwere and part of the conversation. Now it is up to this serial liar to prove his point with the actual tape and not some cut and/or spliced mess or another set up mess like they usually have used to misrepresent stuff. Remember this is the film splicer from the Sherrod hate filled, anti black escapade that showed them for the film splicing liars that they are.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Porkeater (October 31, 2010 2:51 pm ET)
      9  
      "absurd"? Definitely. And i also repeat: Desperate.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by rwmacdonald2091 (October 31, 2010 3:20 pm ET)
      8  
      I heard that there was video of a guy dressed up like a pimp that was involved, too.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by princeofwheels (October 31, 2010 3:44 pm ET)
        4  
        It is Halloween isn't it?

        But in the RightWingNut world, it is always Halloween. They dress-up as FoxBots everyday.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (October 31, 2010 3:51 pm ET)
      5  
      As I have said on other threads about this story...

      If KTVA were going to make up some story, where is said story? If they did make one up, and didn't release it, then there is someone out there who would know about it.

      No jacked up story from the station equals no story from Palin and company. I am pretty sure that they're just making stuff up.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by slowtyper (October 31, 2010 6:46 pm ET)
      4  
      What's intriguing and frankly amusing to me..is how palin would think that this story that brightfart and her would make any difference to anyone but the already stupefied base likely to vote for this miller fella anyways..

      does she really believe that someone committed to vote against her boy would simply change their vote based on this absurd claim..?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by ForTheLoveOfEllipsis... (October 31, 2010 7:17 pm ET)
        2  
        They're at a point in the campaign, with Miller a distant third, where they're going to proverbially throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Before they're done, they'll accuse the other two candidates of running a child-prostitution ring, I imagine. Hey, it worked on ACORN...
        Report Abuse
        • Author by trevorhoward (October 31, 2010 10:48 pm ET)
            1
          Doesn't take a brain trust to listen to a tape. Tape says what it says. You can spin it all you want. Reporters were wrong and blaming Breitbart or Fox is interesting, stupid, but interesting. When one is wrong, just take it on the chin.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by The Liberal Republican (November 01, 2010 1:27 pm ET)
               
            Obviously it doesn't take a brain trust to stir up the Teabagger Conspiracy Cauldron.

            You Bozos will believe anything Caribou Barbie, and Breitfart will dish up!

            They said they released a "Snippet" AKA out of context. Where is the rest of the effin tape?

            The news station employees don't need it, they witnessed it live!!!

            How many times are you gonna let this clown pull this crap before you realize that he's full of S#$t?
            Report Abuse
    • Author by Jose4 (October 31, 2010 10:15 pm ET)
        6
      Everyone knows this is how the liberal media works. Why are they trying to deny it?

      Report Abuse
      • Author by dandelion (November 01, 2010 4:13 pm ET)
        1  
        Because it's not how traditional media works, "liberal" or not. And this oppotunistic, cynical and phony "scandal" shows that either Brietbart and Palin are astonishingly ignorant about journalism, or they're once again lying to score political points -- in short, fabricating the TV station's intent to fabricate.

        I was a newspaper reporter for 20 years. During election season, part of our job was to discuss the political strategies of warring camps. And when covering criminal trials, we also discussed defense strategies. Our sports reporters were known to speculate on coaches' and players' strategies. That's what reporters do.

        Sure the profession has some bad eggs, but like Veruca in Willy Wonka, they're ejected pretty quickly. And the worst, worst, worst offense is to deliberately misinform. Not only would you get fired, you'd get shamed in the trade press and have difficulty finding another job.

        Jose, you and your likeminded friends have been played. The right has been on a decades-long campaign to discredit the media so that when Republicans and conservatives are held to account they can play the "liberal media bias" card and get away with pretty much anything.

        It's kind of like criminals arguing that the cops are always framing them. Imagine if criminals had a 24/7 cable news network and control 90 percent of talk radio -- you'd be posting here about the inherent "corruption" of cops.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Jose4 (November 01, 2010 7:31 pm ET)
             
          You have no idea how I have been "played" by the Republican media.

          I hold both sides of the ideological divide accountable.

          Do a search on Jose

          here.

          and note that I get thumbs up sometimes.




          Report Abuse
      • Author by CarteretCountyLiberal (November 01, 2010 6:29 pm ET)
           
        SP loves the attention (heck, she quit as Gov. to be on TV more) and JM is losing because the majority of Alaskan voters don't approve of him. There's no world wide media conspiracy.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Unreality (October 31, 2010 10:55 pm ET)
      2  
      The complete conversation was about what others might be able to do to cause disruption within the Miller campaign, not what KTVA could do.
      This explains context. If you've ever worked on PR strategies for product introductions (which are the counterpoint of news coverage) you'd know that you analyze possible actions and reactions. It's obvious that Palin is fear-mongering as usual.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by chasnorcal (November 01, 2010 4:48 pm ET)
           
        What a fortuitous coincidence for Miller that 1) Miller's staff was recording the call and 2) someone forgot to hang up their cellphone.v Almost makes you wonder if KTVA was being set up.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Moderate Man (November 02, 2010 7:35 pm ET)
         
      What bothers me is that the claims can't really identify a single person - maybe that is because they can't...
      -------------------------------
      The Midnight Review
      Report Abuse

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