Monday, March 27, 2017

Koppel Slams Hannity, Talk Shows

Ted Koppel
​Veteran ​network ​news​man Ted Koppel called out Fox News’ Sean Hannity and other talk show hosts as “bad for America” because they attract viewers who “are determined that ideology is more important than facts​,​” in an interview that aired on Sunday.

The NY Post reports Koppel interviewed Han​​nity for a segment on the deepening political divide in America on “CBS Sunday Morning” when the discussion turned to conservative talk radio and the spoon-feeding of information to viewers.

“We have to give some credit to the American people that they are somewhat intelligent and that they know the difference between an opinion show and a news show. You’re cynical,” Hannity ​told Koppel.

“I am cynical,” said Koppel. the​ former ​longtime host of ABC News’ “Nightline.”

“Do you think we’re bad for America? You think I’m bad for America?” Hannity asked.



Later, in an interview with White House spokesman Sean Spicer, Koppel asked whether Americans should take President Trump literally in light of criticism that he spreads falsehoods.

“No, I think you should take him literally. The president’s very authoritative when he speaks. He wants to be taken literally. And also you have to understand that when you have 140 characters, that somebody trying to look at that and say, ‘This means the following’ is a little bit too much,​”​ Spicer said.​

“That’s one good reason for not using Twitter to communicate serious issues,” said Koppel.

Hannity fired back on Twitter:


 The CBS Sunday Morning segment examined the polarization of the country and the phenomenon of “fake news” and how conservative pundits like Hannity may be contributing to broad societal confusion and the inability to distinguish between ideology and fact.

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