Topic: News Corp

The Biden administration has announced the "American Climate Corps," a workforce initiative intended to train 20,000 young people for jobs in the renewable energy sector. The program, modeled after the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, will focus on projects like wetland restoration and forest management. Critics express concern that the initiative could lead to a "brown shirt" style enforcement of environmental regulations.

A geological study claiming New York City is sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers is mocked as climate alarmism. The report suggests the city is sinking by two millimeters a year, which the hosts argue is being conflated with rising sea levels to justify expensive engineering projects.

The Wall Street Journal identified a former US Navy officer in Washington state as the administrator of the "Donbass Girl" social media accounts, which helped spread the leaked Pentagon documents. The hosts speculate on a potential quid pro quo between News Corp and the government following the Dominion Voting Systems settlement.

Facebook has blocked all news content for Australian users in response to proposed legislation requiring tech giants to pay publishers. In contrast, Google has struck multi-million dollar deals with major outlets like News Corp and Seven West Media. The ban inadvertently took down government health and emergency service pages, leading to a public outcry and ongoing negotiations between Mark Zuckerberg and the Australian Treasurer.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany confronted reporters who questioned her past comments about the coronavirus not reaching the U.S. McEnany responded with a prepared list of headlines from Vox, the Washington Post, and the New York Times that had similarly downplayed the virus's threat in early 2020. The exchange highlighted McEnany's aggressive style and the "leaks" within the press corps that allow her to anticipate specific lines of questioning.

The hosts discuss the credentialing of reporters at White House briefings, noting that ABC's John Karl allegedly bumped an OANN reporter to seat the Phoenix TV journalist. They point to a video of Dr. Fauci winking and giving a "finger pistol" gesture to Karl as evidence of a coordinated effort between the media and health officials to undermine the President.

CNN's Jim Acosta has become a central figure in the "enemy of the people" debate, frequently clashing with the Trump administration during press briefings. While Trump specifically targets "fake news" like CNN, the network has attempted to broaden the label to include all journalists and the concept of a free press.

A pipe bomb exploded in a garbage can in Seaside Park, New Jersey, on September 17, 2016, shortly before a 5K charity run benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps. No injuries were reported because the race had been delayed due to a suspicious backpack. The FBI and local investigators are searching for suspects and examining the device.

Journalists expressed outrage over the use of a physical rope by Clinton campaign staffers to corral reporters during a parade. CBS News compared the accessibility of Donald Trump, who has held 14 news conferences in 2016, to Clinton's "aversion" to the format. The report also noted Trump's own recent shift toward Fox News-exclusive interviews and his refusal to release tax returns.

A bizarre video released by actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evie is described. In the footage, Quaid rants about "Police Media Corruption" and the theft of his house by Warner Bros. execs before performing a graphic, pantomimed act of retaliation against a person wearing a Rupert Murdoch mask.

Clive Palmer alleges that Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife, Wendi Deng, is a Chinese spy who funneled money to Chinese intelligence for years. He further claims Murdoch is using his media empire as a "plaything" to control Australian politics. The hosts discuss the "apparatchik" nature of modern media and the sensationalist claims surrounding the Murdoch divorce.

The president took a single question from Jackie Calms of the New York Times during his press briefing. The hosts criticize the phrasing of the question, suggesting it was "leading the witness" by asking for an assurance that the government does not have a massive database for spying.

NBC's Chuck Todd faced criticism from both President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu for asking multiple follow-up questions during a limited press session. Obama referred to Todd as "incorrigible," while Netanyahu used "Talmudic humor" to deflect the questions. The exchange highlighted the tension between the American press corps and the diplomatic protocols of the visit.

A UK parliamentary committee declares Rupert Murdoch "not fit" to lead an international company. Conservative MP Louise Mensch later clarifies that the "not fit" language was a partisan addition not supported by evidence, as no committee member could prove the Murdochs had misled Parliament.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney defends President Obama's comments by narrowing the context to economic legislation under the Commerce Clause. During a heated exchange with reporters like Nora O'Donnell, Carney argues the President was referring specifically to 80 years of New Deal-era precedent. The hosts characterize the defense as elitist and condescending toward the press.

The hosts discuss the "Semper New Hollow" period (the slow work time between Halloween and New Year's). Stephen Taft is promoted to a "Black Knight" for his cumulative donations, and the hosts joke about him being the first drone-flying ham radio operator in the No Agenda Round Table.

Drones are already being used domestically, such as News Corp's "The Daily" using them to film flood damage in North Dakota. The FAA is reportedly investigating whether this violates regulations. The hosts suggest the government is preparing the public for "drone nation" through media exposure.

The resignation of News Corp CEO Rebecca Brooks and the ongoing phone hacking scandal involving the News of the World newspaper dominate the media landscape. A BBC interview with Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the second-largest shareholder of News Corp, reveals his insistence on full cooperation with the British government's commission. The discussion explores the potential for the scandal to be an orchestrated effort to force Rupert Murdoch out of the UK media market and the withdrawal of the News Corp bid for B-Sky-B.

The closure of News of the World and the subsequent withdrawal of the B Sky B takeover bid by News Corp are analyzed following phone-hacking allegations. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown accused the Sunday Times of using criminals to access his private records. The hosts speculate that Murdoch's influence is waning due to a lack of cash flow from failed ventures like The Daily and MySpace, comparing the situation to the collapse of Robert Maxwell's empire.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is facing multiple lawsuits in the UK following revelations that journalists at "The Sun" and other outlets hacked the voicemails of politicians and celebrities. The scandal has exposed widespread privacy intrusions and raised questions about the influence of the Murdoch media empire over British public life.