They Build The Memory Hole Deep at CNN

Now is the time when we juxtapose, Small Dead Animals-style:

How can the leader of the Republican Party — the political party that claims to be so concerned about our freedoms — want to limit freedom of the press?

It’s shocking, but that’s exactly what Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus wants to do. Why? Because Priebus is outraged that NBC and CNN are developing TV projects about Hillary Clinton, scheduled to air in 2015.

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Let’s make one thing very clear: The RNC is not just another run-of-the-mill organization threatening a boycott over media content. The RNC includes elected officials from across the nation, from governors to state officials to hundreds of members of Congress.

Will the next threat be that the RNC will block interviews with Republican officials if it objects to a newspaper, website or network’s content? Or will some outlets be subject to greater fines for Federal Communications Commission violations or be kept from offering input on proposed federal regulations that affect the media?

— “Hillary Clinton, RNC and freedom of the press,” Dean Obeidallah, CNN today.

Fox News has canceled a debate of Democratic presidential candidates next month after several candidates dropped out because they said the cable news network would not provide a fair forum, the Associated Press reports. Organizers hope to reschedule the debate.

The top three Democrats seeking the nomination — Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards — already indicated they would not participate in the debate, which is being cosponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus.

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The candidates said they did not believe Fox would provide a fair forum, and the Democratic National Committee refused to officially sanction the debate. And, earlier this year, the Nevada Democratic Party called off a Fox-sponsored debate after complaints from activists.

— “Fox-backed Democratic presidential debate called off,” the Raw Story, August 23, 2007.