September 11 Commission Report - Gnostic Liberation Front

levers for his legendary political behind-the-scenes navigating to obtain special favors. It was a shock
to other foreign firms, which had attempted but never succeeded in entering U.S. broadcasting, when
Murdoch was granted the first waiver of that United States-only ownership law that had ever been
granted. It still has never been granted to anyone else.”
“While the media can’t avoid talking about the Abramoff Scandal, they can—and do—blow smoke
and spread confusion and misinformation. A most popular example is the false claim that Democrats as
well Republicans took money from Abramoff. In fact, Abramoff gave more than $127,000 to
Republican candidates and committees between 2001 and 2004, and nothing to Democrats. Indeed,
TV pundits themselves have closer ties to Abamoff. In March, 2003, Hollywood Reporter online
reported that “Fox News Channel’s Tony Snow is master of ceremonies, and Fox’s Brit Hume and
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews are aboard” for an event whose “purpose is to raise about $300,000 for the
Capital Athletic Foundation.” The Capital Athletic Foundation is one of Abramoff’s various slush
fund fronts. Ostensibly devoted to “needy and deserving” sportsmanship programs, the Washington
Post discovered that though it collected nearly $6 million in its first four years of operation, “less than
one percent of its revenue has been spent on sports-related programs for youths.” The fundraiser was
cancelled because of the invasion of Iraq. But the Beltway newsmen’s involvement raises serious
questions about their objectivity and distance from the subject of scandal. No one is saying they are
dirty. But neither can they be considered objective in reporting about a widespread scandal that they
themselves have gotten entangled in, however innocently. And yet, they are among the leading voices
telling America how to think about it.” [Abramoff Scandal Threatens GOP But Media Runs
Interference, Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor, Harbor Independent News, January 2006]
Clear Channel
“Global radio giant Clear Channel recently reignited concerns about companies that control
mainstream media and snuggle up to political parties, following its controversial sponsorship of prowar
rallies in the US. The media group, which controls 1,225 radio stations across the US and is the
world's largest radio empire, also attracted scathing criticism for dropping the Dixie Chicks from its
network playlist after its lead singer publicly declared her opposition to the war.
The company's founder, Lowry Mays, ensured the majority of the $503,910 donations made in 2001-
02 landed in the Republican party's coffers. But his company's links with the Bush family run deeper.
Media watchdog takebackthemedia.com this week published the elaborate web of connections that
further align Clear Channel with the Bush family. Mays, who took advantage of radio deregulation
and transformed Clear Channel into a global multimedia player, is associated with the president
through the University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Mays sits on the
governing board, alongside Clear Channel vice-chairman Thomas Hicks, whose family is believed to
have contributed over $500,000 to Bush campaigns over the years.
Hicks, a long-time friend and supporter of President Bush, heads the UTIMCO board but his position
was recently embroiled in controversy when it emerged he awarded UTIMCO-funded contracts to
firms politically associated with the Bush dynasty.
Hicks also bought the Texas Rangers baseball team from Bush for $250 million in 1998, three times
the amount that Bush and his partners had originally paid.” [US media dig deep for politicians, Annie
Lawson, Guardian, April 7, 2003]
Bertelsmann
The fifth largest Media Empire belongs to the Mohn family of Germany, which appears
to maintain relative silence in American politics. However, a deep probe into the
ownership suggests the significant but subtle influence of the Bush syndicate partners.
THE SEPTEMBER 11 COMMISSION REPORT Page 337