No, not Fred Rogers. We're talking about former NBC Cable chief Tom Rogers, who blasted the president's denunciation of the news media as 'enemies of the people.'

Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

October 29, 2018

2 Min Read
Mr. Rogers Slams Trump, & for Good Reason

ATLANTA -- SCTE Cable-Tec Expo -- Former NBC Cable Chief Tom Rogers is sick and tired of President Trump's frequent attacks on journalists and the entire news media.

In short but blistering remarks at the Cable TV Pioneers dinner here early last week, Rogers denounced Trump for labelling various news organizations and journalists "the enemy of the American people." In frequent angry speeches and tweets, Trump has especially attacked CNN, NBC News and the New York Times after they published articles about him or his administration that he didn't like.

Rogers, who founded and ran both CNBC and MSNBC from 1987 to 1999, didn't stop at Trump, though. He also criticized the news organizations and their corporate masters for not challenging and countering the president's tirades against the media nearly enough. He called upon them to speak up and openly defend their First Amendment rights.

As if on cue, CNN President Jeff Zucker did exactly that one day later, criticizing both Trump and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders for their "continued attacks on the media" after a pipe bomb was sent to the news network's Manhattan headquarters. Cesar Sayoc Jr., the pipe bomb suspect now in federal custody, also allegedly sent similar bombs to former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and various senators, members of Congress, former government officials and Democratic benefactors.

"There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," Zucker said in a statement issued last Wednesday. "The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that."

Zucker has also criticized most Republican members of Congress for not condemning Trump's repeated verbal attacks on the news media, as well as the president's open embrace of physical violence against reporters. In earlier remarks on the subject, Zucker noted that only two prominent Republicans -- the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) -- have ever criticized Trump for his constant attacks on the press. Plus, FCC Chairman Agit Pai, who was appointed by Trump, has only made vague promises to respect freedom of the press and has refused to condemn the president's attacks on the media.

But Zucker hasn't had much company from his colleagues in the electronic media. Senior executives from AT&T (CNN's new corporate master), NBC and Comcast (NBC's corporate master) have all had little, if anything, to say about Trump's "fake news" tirades. Nor have senior executives from CBS News, ABC News and their parent companies spoken up.

So kudos to Rogers for sounding the First Amendment alarm. The big question is whether enough folks are hearing it and will respond.

— Alan Breznick, Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Alan Breznick

Cable/Video Practice Leader, Light Reading

Alan Breznick is a business editor and research analyst who has tracked the cable, broadband and video markets like an over-bred bloodhound for more than 20 years.

As a senior analyst at Light Reading's research arm, Heavy Reading, for six years, Alan authored numerous reports, columns, white papers and case studies, moderated dozens of webinars, and organized and hosted more than 15 -- count 'em --regional conferences on cable, broadband and IPTV technology topics. And all this while maintaining a summer job as an ostrich wrangler.

Before that, he was the founding editor of Light Reading Cable, transforming a monthly newsletter into a daily website. Prior to joining Light Reading, Alan was a broadband analyst for Kinetic Strategies and a contributing analyst for One Touch Intelligence.

He is based in the Toronto area, though is New York born and bred. Just ask, and he will take you on a power-walking tour of Manhattan, pointing out the tourist hotspots and the places that make up his personal timeline: The bench where he smoked his first pipe; the alley where he won his first fist fight. That kind of thing.

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