Jon Banner Comments on ABC/New Yorker - Posted September 22, 2008
World News EP Jon Banner, whose quote in this TVNewser post was cited in the response letter by New Yorker columnist Steve Coll today, emailed this comment: Imagine my surprise when I read Steve Coll's response to David Westin's letter regarding the New Yorker's factually incorrect story about ABC News' interviews with... [TVNewser]

Westin Responds to New Yorker's "Inaccurate Reporting" - Posted September 22, 2008
ABC News president David Westin wrote a strongly worded letter, published in today's New Yorker, responding to the charges raised in columnist Steve Coll's article last week. As TVNewser reported, Coll's column, about ABC's blurring of the news/entertainment lines with its Gov. Sarah Palin interview, drew the ire of ABC News execs... [TVNewser]

Westin Responds to New Yorker's "Inaccurate Reporting" - Posted September 22, 2008
ABC News president David Westin wrote a strongly worded letter, published in today's New Yorker, responding to the charges raised in columnist Steve Coll's article last week. As TVNewser reported, Coll's column, about ABC's blurring of the news/entertainment lines with its Gov. Sarah Palin interview, drew the ire of ABC News execs... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 09.17.08 - Posted September 17, 2008
Good morning Washington. Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line or let us know in the tips box below. We've got your morning mix of media Muesli after the jump...... [FishBowlDC]

Letters Sent From Westin to Remnick - Posted September 16, 2008
ABC insiders tell TVNewser that ABC News president David Westin and others at the network have sent letters to New Yorker publisher David Remnick, in the wake of Steve Coll's article attacking ABC News for its handling of the Gov. Sarah Palin interview. Yesterday we reported ABC News was unhappy with the... [TVNewser]

Gibson's Palin Interview: When, Where, How - Posted September 8, 2008
Expect to hear Gov. Sarah Palin answer her first mainstream media questions shortly after 6:30pmET on Thursday this week. Confirmed last night, ABC News' Charlie Gibson was picked by the McCain campaign to conduct the first interview with Palin, and today we learned more details of how it happened and what the... [TVNewser]

Meeting the New Team - Posted August 22, 2008
This week recently named ABCNews.com VP Jonathan Dube stopped by the ABC News Digital offices in New York to meet the staff. He was introduced by ABC News president David Westin and ABC News Digital SVP Paul Slavin.(pictured, l to r: ABC News EVP Dave Davis, Westin, Dube and Slavin)... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 08.20.08 - Posted August 20, 2008
Good morning Washington. A little college tear drops in memory of Leroi Moore. Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line or let us know in the tips box below. We've got your morning mix of media... [FishBowlDC]

Dube Named VP, Michalopoulos Managing Editor of ABCNews.com - Posted August 19, 2008
As mentioned earlier today, ABC has announced the hiring of Jonathan Dube and the promotion of Deirdre Michalopoulos. Dube joins the network as vice president of ABCNews.com. He previously worked for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) News, where he was director of digital media. Michalopoulos will oversee editorial content as managing editor of... [TVNewser]

Dube Named VP, Michalopoulos Managing Editor of ABCNews.com - Posted August 19, 2008
As mentioned earlier today, ABC has announced the hiring of Jonathan Dube and the promotion of Deirdre Michalopoulos. Dube joins the network as vice president of ABCNews.com. He previously worked for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) News, where he was director of digital media. Michalopoulos will oversee editorial content as managing editor of... [TVNewser]

What Will Nightline's Scoops & Growth Mean For the Newscast? - Posted August 11, 2008
The LATimes' Meg James writes about the latest Nightline scoop and what it might mean as ABC considers wooing Jay Leno. "The company will make the decision based on what's best for the company," said ABC News president David Westin. "I am hopeful that 'Nightline' will continue to prosper. It's important for... [TVNewser]

The "Cruel Irony" That Might Await Nightline, As Leno Admits "I Am Definitely Done With NBC" - Posted July 18, 2008
The Hollywood Reporter's Paul J. Gough talks with ABC News president David Westin as well as Nightline co-anchors Cynthia McFadden and Martin Bashir and EP James Goldston as the program once again finds itself under the microscope. "Nightline" stands as one of the brighter lights in TV journalism, a daily newsmagazine that... [TVNewser]

Tony Snow's Death: ABC Correspondent Statements - Posted July 12, 2008
Statement from Robin Roberts: I was so privileged to do what was considered his exit interview from the White House, and Tony was one of the first people to reach out when I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a year ago. For those of us battling cancer, he was beyond inspirational.... [TVNewser]

TV's Most Powerful - Posted April 14, 2008
Some interesting local tidbits in the annual "TV News' 10 Most Powerful": On Fox..."However, FNC has been oddly low-profile and sotto voce in the most portentous political year in memory despite the presence of Karl Rove in Fox News' pundit pack." On ABC's David Westin: "Westin has become an adroit player/booker and the... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List, 03.26.08 - Posted March 26, 2008
Good morning Washington. It's Nancy Pelosi's birthday! Quickly navigate Morning Reading List: REVOLVING DOOR | NEWSPAPERS | TV | ONLINE MEDIA | MAGAZINES | RADIO | JOBS This election cycle has changed how you view Bill Clinton -- in a bad way. REVOLVING DOOR Crain's Chicago Business reports, "Tribune Co. named Chandler Bigelow as chief financial... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List, 03.03.08 - Posted March 3, 2008
Good morning Washington. One year ago we said goodbye to Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and AP said hello (again) to Ron Fournier. It's the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell, Jessica Biel and, yes, me, which is the closest I'll ever get to the lovely Biel. And to answer your questions: 1.) No,... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List, 12.14.07 - Posted December 14, 2007
Good morning Washington. On this day in 1799, George "Big Poppa" Washington passed away. Pour out some of whatever you got at the George Washington distillery. Quickly navigate Morning Reading List: NEWSPAPERS | TV | ONLINE MEDIA | MAGAZINES | RADIO | WEST WING REPORTAGE | REVOLVING DOOR | JOBS NEWSPAPERS Newsday reports, "The owner... [FishBowlDC]

Lisa Fletcher named ABC News correspondent - Posted November 29, 2007
L.A.'s newest TV news correspondent, Lisa Fletcher, has an impressive-enough sounding resume - Emmys, AP awards, stories that locked up child molesters. But we're guessing the alphabet network gave Fletcher her new gig because it felt awful for making her identify herself as a member of the Phoenix investigative team... [FishBowlLA]

ABC Wraps Up Debat Investigation, Details "Reporting That We Couldn't Confirm" - Posted October 22, 2007
You'll recall how, a few months ago, it was discovered (by Rue 89) that ABC News' Alexis Debat may not have conducted all the interviews he claimed took place (including ones with Sen. Barack Obama and Rep. Nancy Pelosi). ABC launched an investigation and FishbowlDC has the report from ABC News... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List, 10.11.07 - Posted October 11, 2007
Good morning Washington. Joe Biden is your choice for POTUS. TVGuide interviews Chris Matthews. Via Wednesday's "Wake Up Call!": "But what's most noteworthy, of course, as we watched the candidates come out on stage, and Fred Thompson was standing there in the middle, is just how tall he is" -- Norah O'Donnell, on noteworthiness ("Hardball").... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List, 09.27.07 - Posted September 27, 2007
Good morning Washington. Vitamin Water wins out over Gatorade. We looked into this, "missing? washington post's technorati supplied 'who's blogging'" and discovered the Washington Post did not get rid of the feature. It just wasn't ready for the new home page launch. The paper tells us the "what blogs are saying" feature will... [FishBowlDC]

BREAKING: Big Layoffs At ABC DC Bureau - Posted August 15, 2007
Developing... >UPDATE: ABC's graphics department is being let go (roughly eight individuals). >UPDATE: An ABC insider tells us: This is part of the strategic process David Westin announced to the news division back in June. As part of that process we are restructuring our graphics department in Washington and moving graphics operations to... [FishBowlDC]

ABC's Comings ... And Goings - Posted July 24, 2007
On the same day we learned three longtime ABC News correspondents are out the door, ABC News president David Westin has announced three newcomers. Jeremy Hubbard, T.J. Winick, and Linsey Davis are joining NewsOne, the service ABC News provides to affiliates. Says Westin: "Our affiliates across the country and around the... [TVNewser]

ABC's Comings ... And Goings - Posted July 24, 2007
On the same day we learned three longtime ABC News correspondents are out the door, ABC News president David Westin has announced three newcomers. Jeremy Hubbard, T.J. Winick, and Linsey Davis are joining NewsOne, the service ABC News provides to affiliates. Says Westin: "Our affiliates across the country and around the... [TVNewser]

More ABC Correspondents Out - Posted July 24, 2007
TVNewser tipsters tell us three more veteran ABC News correspondents may soon be parting ways with the network. Bob Jamieson, Mark Litke and Bill Redeker have a combined 72 years of service with ABC. Jamieson joined ABC News in 1990 after a 20-year career at NBC News. Litke has been... [TVNewser]

More ABC Correspondents Out - Posted July 24, 2007
TVNewser tipsters tell us three more veteran ABC News correspondents may soon be parting ways with the network. Bob Jamieson, Mark Litke and Bill Redeker have a combined 72 years of service with ABC. Jamieson joined ABC News in 1990 after a 20-year career at NBC News. Litke has been... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 07.19.07 - Posted July 19, 2007
Good morning Washington. Good for you. You like swimming. We agree with DCist: This really is the greatest headline ever. Say hello to Baby Baier. UPI reports, "Dow Jones firings predicted under Murdoch" A reader asks, "how many get out of jail free chances does Wash Times get -- another Stan Rittenhouse ad in... [FishBowlDC]

ABC Vet To Oversee Investigative Unit - Posted July 18, 2007
This morning, ABC News president David Westin announced Rhonda Schwartz will now lead the investigative unit. Westin, from the press release: "Rhonda is a wonderful reporter and skilled producer whose work is a source of great pride for ABC News." Before ABC, Schwartz spent more than 20 years at NBC... [TVNewser]

ABC Vet To Oversee Investigative Unit - Posted July 18, 2007
This morning, ABC News president David Westin announced Rhonda Schwartz will now lead the investigative unit. Westin, from the press release: "Rhonda is a wonderful reporter and skilled producer whose work is a source of great pride for ABC News." Before ABC, Schwartz spent more than 20 years at NBC... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 06.29.07 - Posted June 29, 2007
Good morning Washington. It was a close call, but you thought Chris Matthews would be the sweaty one. An NBC release announced, "NBC News has been awarded the 8th Annual RTNDA/Unity Award in the television network category for 'Separate and Unequal, Reported by Tom Brokaw.'" Ann Coulter takes a shot at "Hardball" ABC News' President... [FishBowlDC]

Breaking: ABC News To Axe 35 Staffers In Restructuring - Posted June 22, 2007
We just received this tip: ABC News being restructured ... 35 positions expected to be lost. UPDATE: Memo from ABC News president David Westin: From: Westin, David Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:15 AM To: ABCTV News ALL Cc: Sweeney, Anne Subject: The Future We regularly take a strategic look at where ABC News stands, where we are going,... [FishBowlNY]

ABC News Journos Killed In Iraq - Posted May 18, 2007
A cameraman and soundman for ABC News were killed in Iraq yesterday, ABC News has confirmed. Alaa Uldeen Aziz, 33, and soundman Saif Laith Yousuf, 26, were returning home from work at the ABC News Baghdad bureau when their car was reportedly ambushed and they were killed by unknown assailants. David Westin's... [FishBowlNY]

ABCNews.com To Relaunch This Weekend - Posted April 26, 2007
Above, the mock-up. Below, ABC News president David Westin's memo to staff: From: Westin, David Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:57 AM To: ABCTV News ALL Subject: ABCNEWS.com Next week we unveil a new version of ABCNEWS.com. This is the first stage of an overall redesign that will ultimately transform the site into a news and... [FishBowlNY]

Halperin's New Gig - Posted March 21, 2007
From ABC's David Westin: About a month ago, Mark Halperin came to me to say that he wanted more time to pursue writing – perhaps another book and possibly for a publication. We all know how valuable a member of our political reporting team Mark is, and he made it clear... [FishBowlDC]

Woodruff: 'I'm Not Going Back To Iraq' - Posted March 9, 2007
We heard the same story a few weeks ago at ABC HQ, with one key difference. Bob Woodruff, while receiving a Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Foundation yesterday, said he will not go back to Iraq: "I think for the first time I'm going to tell my wife... [FishBowlNY]

News War: The LA Times vs. Tribune and Readers Lose - Posted February 28, 2007
KCET broadcast Frontline's series News War last night, as counter programming for American Idol, never guessing that someone could actually want to watch both. This episode, What's Happening to the News, which examimes the struggles of the LA Times, will repeat this Friday and the website has the whole series.... [FishBowlLA]

News War: The LA Times vs. Tribune and Readers Lose - Posted February 28, 2007
KCET broadcast Frontline's series News War last night, as counter programming for American Idol, never guessing that someone could actually want to watch both. This episode, What's Happening to the News, which examimes the struggles of the LA Times, will repeat this Friday and the website has the whole series.... [FishBowlLA]

More "News War" Tonight - Posted February 27, 2007
From the release: Correspondent Lowell Bergman continues his look at the news business in Part III of "News War" this Tuesday night. Bergman and producer Stephen Talbot are asking a question that is on the minds of many of us in the business: what's happening to the news? And there is no... [FishBowlDC]

Woodruff: 'I Saw My Body Floating' - Posted February 26, 2007
FishbowlNY on Woodruff: Last year, Bob Woodruff spent 27 days as co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight. His 28th day — January 29, 2006 — was one he can't remember too well. Nor can he remember the 36 days spent in a coma recovering from injuries he and cameraman Doug Vogt... [TVNewser]

Bob Woodruff Almost His Old Self - Posted February 26, 2007
ABC News this morning gave reporters a sneak peak of the documentary about Bob Woodruff's near-death and recovery and how his family -- as well as the other soldiers and Marines who've been through the same, usually with much less positive results -- have dealt with it. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)--... [TVNewser]