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Tim Robbins controversial NAB speech


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Here are the last six minutes of actor Tim Robbins controversial NAB speech. NAB organizers ordered the cameras off, due to a no filming clause, however the audio recorders remained on. I would urge you listen to this now- before it disappears.

Despite being urged by an audience of hundreds of radio and television executives to “give the speech,” Robbins didn’t hesitate to bite the hand of the media. He said the radio industry had been on the way to creating a single “national playlist” before XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio came along, and he criticized other national media for not relentlessly pursuing what he carefully but clearly implied were lies of the current president, George W. Bush, in the relentless fashion they went after his predecessor, Bill Clinton, for his sexual dalliance with an intern.

He also called on the industry to turn back from a kind of reporting that reduces the variety of voices being delivered on any given issue and distracts the public with excessive reporting about starlets stepping out of cars with no panties on. Such news takes “no energy" and requires little thought, he said.

Taken from:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/CA6551356.html
tpalmer

39 responses // Tim Robbins controversial NAB speech

  • Bravo, Mr. Robbins!
    ac
    • ac
    • 3 months ago
  • bravo
    jubal
  • Damn straight.
    Humdrum
  • Tim is an intelligent guy.
    Wessagusset_Oracle
  • inspired!
    pressrecord
  • Another great speech that will fall out of our collective conscious as soon as the weekend arrives.
    StuntBunny
  • preach on brother bunny

    malathion
  • Very nice! My hat's off to Mr. Robbins, a voice of reason.

    We need a President with as much intelligence. Vote for Obama!
    VoyagerFilms
  • i hope it was also inspiring to the audience.
    yonie
  • Nice to see there are still some 'celebrities' with an ounce of integrity.

    *wonders if he had any pants on...
    mattbrawn
  • watch this comment being used here, here, here, here and here
    Why is it when someone says the plain truth about somethings, it's controversial? Sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade...
    AreOh
  • haha. AreOh. Youre right. He tells the truth, it's a big deal. People he tells the truth about are lying, but NO ONE pays attention...SKETCH!
    nkeg87
  • Now if any of them were actually listening, with an open heart or mind, this world could be changed. Unfortunately, I severely doubt that.
    Egnatius212
  • It's nice to see a celebrity with some integrity who has the balls to speak up about something important:) Now, if only he could get the same coverage that Britney Spears does, then it would make a real difference!
    jostamey
  • Wow - A rare moment of light makes it through the media snow job! Scathing and righteous. It's a miracle when commentary like that emerges. Shouldn't be, but it is.
    24French
  • this man this man this man!!!!
    seriously amazing.
    Im sending this to everyone in my address book AND posting it on myspace and facebook.
    HAH.
    TIM ROBBINS FOR PRESIDENT!
    ssppeencceerr
  • Great Speech! WHY THE HELL IS IT CONTROVERSIAL? I don't get it! That was amazing....we need to stop pandering to the shitty, celebrity news and teach our children respect and that life isn't about being famous or money. This is not controversial. This is truth.
    bd593
  • Awesome! It's about time someone calls out the "mainstream" media on the failures to do their jobs.

    Good question, bd593. It's only controversial to the media. It's common knowledge to the rest of us. ;)
    phoenix_fire999
  • Tim Robbins raises an issue that challenges ratings-starved media outlets. Many news outlets report on the activities of stupid starlets not because they believe they are news-worthy, but because research shows viewers will watch those stories and flee from more substantive reports. In other words, it's not the media companies that are the problem, it's society.
    ChristopherCurtis
  • Nope. The problem is still news outlets. If they did their jobs, such as challenging phony intelligence to get into war, how to solve global warming, the disappearing economy for the struggling middle class & working class, as well as Bush's lies, his brazen power abuses, his constitution shredding, as well as the trillion-dollar business of war profiteering at the expense of our soldiers and taxpayers - then people would really be watching.

    As long as they continue to *not* do their jobs, they can shrivel away and die like lumbering dinosaurs under an asteroid for all I care. People are hungry for information. And they have and will continue to elsewhere to get it.

    phoenix_fire999
  • Ratings and money are the driver for alot of media..Seeking the truth is now a probing question to much of what we hear and see. It gets so much harder with all of the hype that is the jungle.
    cibalin
  • Mr. Robbins is putting the truth honestly and forcefully into the face of all and it's delightful. This needs to be done more often and it pains many out there becuase the real truth delving into the heart of our matters seldom feels comfortable. More of these speeches need to unravel into national discussions that will better us and bring a more evolved future.
    jdimino
  • He said waht I've been hoping someone would say for a long time. Good for you Tim Robbins! I hope they were listening and take action.
    patsarts
  • "Now is the time to move away from our lesser selves."

    Very well said Tim.
    cauthoncrazy
  • controversial ?? This man speaks the truth... Bravo Tim Bravo...I truly hope that we can all help to make these changes.
    Scott_Logan
  • Reeking of hypocrisy, Mr. Robbins presumes to lecture another industry on standards and divisive content while he himself works in an industry with few if any standards for content. And telling the assembled to stop the cynicism while he has brainlessly criminalized any and all who don't agree with his confused viewpoints is almost high comedy. There's nothing controversial about Robbins. He is simply the perfect reflection of his factions historical illiteracy
    BudDickman
  • The failure to report fake war intelligence, the shredding of our constitution, torture and our $3 trillion dollar debt to China *is* criminal, BudDickman. Tim Robbins merely called a spade a spade.

    phoenix_fire999
  • http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=136805
    Image...
    I share phoenix_fire999's exasperation. As a TV journalist with ten years of experience I too have wanted to cover more meaningful stories.

    However the pressure to win at ratings means TV news managers will cover stories proven to keep viewers tuned in.

    I've attached a link to the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank, which profiles "The Business of Britney," showing just how strong the lure of celebrity is to news outlets, which for the most part, run as for-profit ventures, and need the cash.

    Phoenix_fire999's post claims the media did not do its job--a contention I agree with. However, society is complicit as well. If society was more interested in Iraq and less interested in Britney Spears, our news coverage would reflect that.

    There is a larger problem with TV News. Since the advent of cable, the quality of TV News reports has diminished as TV stations try to meet profit margins amidst shrinking market share. That requires them to make job cuts meaning the most experienced (and expensive) staff members are the first to go.

    The ratings shrink and the resulting quality shrink has been exacerbated by the advent of the Internet.

    So with fewer eyeballs, TV stations have turned to the lowest common denominator to maintain viewers. It's a lousy scenario, but it's the only one they can use, with shareholders demanding their return on investment match other media companies. When TV stations try to do "hard news" they are punished by an indifferent audience and advertisers who relocate to stations which give the public what it wants--which we know is dreck.
    ChristopherCurtis
  • Good for you, Tim Robbins. I couldn't agree more. Corporate ownership of media outlets has led to an insideous censorship based on ratings and advertiser approval. The political process in this country has been totally corrupted by the way money and the media control the message. We have a golden opportunity to undermine this corruption by seeking out people and sites on the internet that are willing to make our better selves the priority. The greater good can outshine the attraction of simple answers and easy money. Tim has called on all of us to pay attention to our better selves. Good job.
    philbangs
  • Awesome!!!!

    Finally!!!
    Manu12
  • there is no controversy in truth
    keeshii768
  • Thanks Tim. I always enjoy a good speech. It needs to be aired on the 6 o'clock news because unfortunately I don't think most Americans acknowledge this as an issue or believe in the draining effect it has on a nation.
    dropkicktherobot
  • "BudDickman" confused viewpoints ?? What was confusing about his speech to you?
    Scott_Logan
  • fyi, US flag @ NAB bldg flying upside-down on april 16. just another random observation of a DC resident..
    DizzyMsLizzy
  • Robbins, we have been saying this all along. This country has strunken to sex, lies, and bull. We want the truth and that is what we want from the media. Do I care that Stars don't wear underwear or that presidents have oral sex in the white house. I do care about 4K military employees die because someone wants revenge. We as the people are threaten every day even on the job, schools, or at play.

    Believe me when I say that sometimes speaking the truth brings more harm then telling a lie. Bush lied and nothing happen, Barry was set up and the people put him back into his job, Clinton was degraded his entire presidential but yet we re-elected him. And please no more reality TV shows. Give us a break. God what is becoming of this world.

    You Heard Me!
    cheche_201
  • Hallelujah!! Amen!! Tell it!!! Now that's what it is to be a true American!!
    anjela3
  • http://current.com/items/88909501_abc_debate_a_disgrace...
    Image...
    this ties in into my critique of the ABC debates this week...
    shampton
  • More public figures should speak out like Tim Robbins has here.

    As evidenced by the popularity of this audio, the audience is listening.

    Speak Truth to Power.
    ChrisDuel
  • I agree,

    Hey media, don't cover tim robbins anymore till he puts out a movie that is worth a shit.

    You know its always these hollywood elites who start with their bullshit about the media. Usually when they haven't had a movie or album out that was worth a shit.

    Loser!
    Heycameraman