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SocialDemocrat61

(5,599 posts)
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 05:15 PM 10 hrs ago

Former MSNBC Analyst Matthew Dowd Says Channel "Reacted" to "Right Wing Media Mob" by Firing Him

Former MSNBC Analyst Matthew Dowd Says Channel “Reacted” to “Right Wing Media Mob” by Firing Him

On his Substack, Dowd noted that he made his comments about Charlie Kirk before people realized that he was the target of the attack.

By Alex Weprin

Matthew Dowd, the political operative turned MSNBC analyst who was fired by the cable news channel after making comments about Charlie Kirk, took to Substack to give his side of the story.

Dowd, a veteran of the George W. Bush-Dick Cheney 2004 presidential campaign, was asked by MSNBC anchor Katy Tur about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens.”

Dowd, in his response, stated, “He’s been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in. You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”

MSNBC parted ways with him by the end of the day, and on Friday Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, president Mike Cavanagh and Versant CEO Mark Lazarus told staff “that coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions. We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better.”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/fired-msnbc-analyst-matthew-dowd-explains-1236369427/
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Former MSNBC Analyst Matthew Dowd Says Channel "Reacted" to "Right Wing Media Mob" by Firing Him (Original Post) SocialDemocrat61 10 hrs ago OP
Rachel and Lawrence, that's it for me on MSNBC Joinfortmill 10 hrs ago #1
I called deRien 10 hrs ago #2
Matthew Dowd was just fired from MSNBC for saying this LetMyPeopleVote 10 hrs ago #3
I've Heard More Objectionable Responses From MSNBC Program Hosts And Talking Heads..... global1 9 hrs ago #4
MSNBC also banned Sam Seder lizardkingjr 9 hrs ago #5
I emailed them oberle 8 hrs ago #6
Self-censorship is to obey in advance 2na fisherman 8 hrs ago #7
FCC only manages broadcast TV stations SocialDemocrat61 4 hrs ago #14
FCC, OR, FTC and IRS can order reprisals 2na fisherman 3 hrs ago #15
They can regulate local cable systems SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #18
The man worked for bush Cheney in 2004 Botany 8 hrs ago #8
Seems par for the course for that shit station. BigmanPigman 8 hrs ago #9
In times of universal deception, BattleRow 7 hrs ago #10
Fuck them! Crunchy Frog 7 hrs ago #11
Another example of corporate news caving in advance La Coliniere 7 hrs ago #12
First of all.. Bullshit MSNBC Suits. Cha 5 hrs ago #13
Recommended. H2O Man 2 hrs ago #16
MSNothingButCommercials should be left to die on the vine. flvegan 2 hrs ago #17
Having differences of opinions is one thing. Pushing outright lies is something else. GoodRaisin 1 hr ago #19

Joinfortmill

(18,885 posts)
1. Rachel and Lawrence, that's it for me on MSNBC
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 05:19 PM
10 hrs ago

MSM is gonna be hurting a big one if they keep acting like assholes.

global1

(26,206 posts)
4. I've Heard More Objectionable Responses From MSNBC Program Hosts And Talking Heads.....
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 06:52 PM
9 hrs ago

Dowd was spot on with his comments and MSNBC should be ashamed of themselves for firing him.

They owe him an apology and should re-instate him.

lizardkingjr

(94 posts)
5. MSNBC also banned Sam Seder
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 06:55 PM
9 hrs ago

based upon misinterpreting a tweet.

That was a mistake then. This is a mistake now.

oberle

(185 posts)
6. I emailed them
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:15 PM
8 hrs ago

msnbctvinfo@nbcuni.com

I told them to stop being sycophants for the Right and start telling the truth for the Left. I'm sure I'll never hear a thing back.

2na fisherman

(83 posts)
7. Self-censorship is to obey in advance
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:44 PM
8 hrs ago

Dowd said nothing false in his reply to the question he was asked by Tur. What management was reacting to is their fear of having Trump goons from a weaponized FCC jeopardize their license to operate, so management complied with what they thought the Trump mob wanted.

2na fisherman

(83 posts)
15. FCC, OR, FTC and IRS can order reprisals
Sat Sep 13, 2025, 12:56 AM
3 hrs ago

"...the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does have jurisdiction over cable, as it is an independent U.S. government agency tasked with regulating interstate and international communications by cable, radio, television, wire, and satellite, a role affirmed by the Supreme Court in United States v. Southwestern Cable Co." (Google search)
Perhaps you are correct in saying this is not true, but the Trump regime can put official pressure on MSNBC broadcast and business practices with the FTC or the IRS to target them for reprisals if they fail to follow their news content and personnel preferences. So they submit and find it easier to fire reporters like Mr. Dowd. But in the long run, such appeasement will only be met with demands for the abject surrender of all journalistic independence and the "Fourth Estate" will wither away to nothing but the PR organ of a despotic regime.

SocialDemocrat61

(5,599 posts)
18. They can regulate local cable systems
Sat Sep 13, 2025, 02:07 AM
1 hr ago

like Spectrum or Comcast but not cable channels, which don't require licensing by the FCC.
But sure any administration can use other government agencies to put pressure on any business.
But they can't use the FCC to pressure cable channels.

Botany

(75,254 posts)
8. The man worked for bush Cheney in 2004
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:52 PM
8 hrs ago

Last edited Fri Sep 12, 2025, 09:03 PM - Edit history (2)

Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words which can lead to hateful actions. What
part of that is wrong?

BigmanPigman

(53,691 posts)
9. Seems par for the course for that shit station.
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 08:00 PM
8 hrs ago

Aren't they tanking in the ratings? CNN, MSNBC and FOX are all the same now.

La Coliniere

(1,555 posts)
12. Another example of corporate news caving in advance
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 08:19 PM
7 hrs ago

to any potential threats or acts of violence because the right “can’t handle the truth”. This is the environmental we must now live in. I’d call it fascism.

flvegan

(65,254 posts)
17. MSNothingButCommercials should be left to die on the vine.
Sat Sep 13, 2025, 01:18 AM
2 hrs ago

They ARE NOT our friends and ARE NOT on our side. I wish them luck fighting with CNN to be FoxLite. Fuck them.

Sorry Rachel and Lawrence, but your forums on THAT channel are dead to me.

GoodRaisin

(10,496 posts)
19. Having differences of opinions is one thing. Pushing outright lies is something else.
Sat Sep 13, 2025, 02:31 AM
1 hr ago

I’m so tired of this bullshit M$M talking point over and over this week. I’ll be glad when they get back to talking about what Krasnov is hiding in those Epstein files.

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