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O'Reilly Crews Stalk, Quiz His Enemies

Harassment accusations follow confrontations

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 16, 2009 8:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bill O’Reilly is a believer in the power of the ambush interview. His producers have become expert at stalking victims, catching them in public places, and putting them on the spot, the New York Times reports. “When the bad guys won’t comment…we will find them,” he said on a recent episode of his Fox News show. But recently the practice has come under scrutiny, because O’Reilly’s definition of “bad guy” seems to have expanded.

Initially, O’Reilly’s targets were typically judges or lawyers he deemed soft on crime. But now he’s using the tactic on political and personal opponents. Ten of his last 12 subjects have been liberals or critics of Republicans. One, a ThinkProgress.org editor, accused O’Reilly of harassment. But another, a journalism expert, was reminded of Mike Wallace’s ambush interviews. The difference? The Fox ambush is “really just an attempt to make you look bad.”

In this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo, Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly appears on the Fox News show, The O'Reilly Factor,  in New York.
In this Jan. 18, 2007 file photo, Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly appears on the Fox News show, "The O'Reilly Factor," in New York.   (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen, File)
Fox news anchor Bill O'Reilly attends Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in New York.
Fox news anchor Bill O'Reilly attends Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
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An ambush interview with Amanda Terkel. Terkel called it harassment.   (thinkprogress)

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Nobody should hijack the power of journalism or use the public airwaves (or cable signals) simply to settle personal scores, - Al Tompkins, of the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit that supports journalism education

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
riffran
Apr 17, 2009 5:21 AM CDT
see ACORN...
Caps
Apr 16, 2009 9:53 AM CDT
You are so correct TerrifiedCitizen.
Derni
Apr 16, 2009 6:19 AM CDT
Why would any intelligent human being go on this crass show just to allow a angry human being (toxic) -I won't use his name-scream and put him/her down? He believes that the winner is the one that screams loudest-and he is very arrogant-but Americans watch him and buy his trash-but then they elected Bush-so why should I be surprised.

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