Was it Koppelgate? A journalism cover-up? Or merely speaking truth to media power?
At issue is the editing of Koppel’s chat with Hannity — whether Hannity was done justice.
“Koppel unmasked Hannity as nothing more than an ideologue dressed as a news host,” said Salon’s summary.
“The segment focused on the partisan divide — made sharper by opinion shows like the ones on Fox News. Hannity said he thought Koppel wasn’t giving his audience enough credit, arguing that Fox News viewers understand the difference between an opinion show and a news show. Koppel looked unconvinced, prompting Hannity to call him ‘cynical.’”
Then this exchange went viral:
“I am cynical,” Koppel, 77, agreed.
“You think I am bad for America?” asked Hannity, 55.
“Yeah, in the long haul,” said Koppel. “I think you and all these opinion shows.”
“Really? That’s sad,” Hannity said.
On Twitter, the conservative talker struck back:
Fake “edited” news. I did about a 45 minute interview with CBS. They ran less than 2. Why did Ted cut out my many examples of media bias? https://t.co/prynzE2yLQ
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
Fake “edited” news. I gave a example after example of why I say “journalism is dead”. I also gave many examples of how liberalism has failed https://t.co/prynzE2yLQ
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
“Fake Edited News” @CBSNews release the Unedited 45 minute interview so people can see the BS games you play in the edit room. I dare you! https://t.co/prynzE2yLQ
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
Funny behind the scenes After I answered the first question, Ted said “none of that will air”. So I kept saying “Ted u need to keep this in” https://t.co/137pQ8GfLC
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
If you pay attention Ted was saying ALL opinion shows are bad for America. But he was saying this while giving us HIS OPINION #hypocrisy https://t.co/53Yn4bxbSw
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
I should thank @CBSNews for providing me the opportunity to unmask “The Anatomy of Edited Fake News!” Stay tuned…Hope David and Ben watch.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) March 26, 2017
Koppel has no Twitter habit. But others came to his defense.
Ted Koppel to Sean Hannity: “You have attracted people who are determined that ideology is more important than facts.” Game, set, match.
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) March 26, 2017
Sean Hannity repeatedly interrupting Ted Koppel, with his disingenuous “all due respect” B.S., is one more scrap of how we got here
— CarlJDubois ???????? ☂️ (@CarlJDubois) March 26, 2017
Sean Hannity debating Ted Koppel about real journalism is like a 5-year-old debating his dad about the rules of the house.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 26, 2017
@nedmiller @docrocktex26 @seanhannity Gotta say, Koppel’s put-down of Hannity was a masterpiece of truth laced with pure contempt. Men vs boys, honesty vs vanity. No contest
— little caesar (@littlecaesar50) March 27, 2017
I like Ted Koppel so much for smacking Sean Hannity in the most polite way possible on @CBSSunday.
— SD Marschhausen ???????? (@sdmwrites) March 26, 2017