The Myth of Roger Ailes & Fox News

Roger Ailes recently died, and I couldn't help but think about the comparison to another formerly heralded man, shamed just before dying, Penn State Coach Joe Paterno.

Ailes was  recently forced out at Fox News after accusations of sexual harassment by several female staffers. Paterno was forced out of Penn State after a horrific charge of ignoring child sex abuse for decades by long time assistant Jerry Sandusky.

Whereas Paterno died of a broken heart a few months after his dismissal, Ailes apparently died of a head injury after suffering a fall at his home in Florida.

The obituaries and remembrances of Ailes poured in and to their credit, few tried to sugar coat his recent troubles. But in remembering the man's career as a broadcaster, I felt some made a few misleading statements.

They heralded Roger Ailes as the brains behind building Fox News Channel to the cable news behemoth it is today. The New York Post (sister company to Fox News Channel) said:

"Roger Ailes single-handedly rewrote the rules of TV news, building a media juggernaut to cap a landmark career." 

All true, but then the article goes on to say:

"But it was in partnering with Rupert Murdoch (whose News Corp. also owns The Post) in 1996 that he unveiled the formula for success: Appealing to centrist and right-of-center viewers turned off by the relentless liberal skew of existing media. 

And that's where the NY Post and most media accounts get it wrong. You see in 1996, the cultural, political divide was nothing like it is today. Folks in the southern U.S.  and "rural America"(where I'm originally from), didn't consider themselves "liberal" or "conservative", they were just people with common sense ideals. 

There weren't all these constitutional hobbyist or people "in awe of the founding fathers", as if the founding fathers were sent to earth directly by God to create a constitution that could be memorized, quoted and frankly bastardized to conveniently support positions that defied common sense (I also admire the founding fathers, but they were humans and some supported slavery so it's kind of hard to deify them).  

Back then the media tried to at least put forth an image of objectivity and news was on the whole, center or maybe just a smidgen left of center.  Most people didn't discuss politics, or religion publicly. It just wasn't polite and most folks were just focused on their families and everyday lives. 

But if you believe the media critics and history revisionists, Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch swept down from heaven and FINALLY spoke for the poor, forgotten common man, who'd been dying to have a news channel to FINALLY reflect their views. 

WRONG. 

Ailes and Murdoch wedged themselves into the smallest of cracks and exploited and pushed that crack into a huge gulf, I believe for one reason and one reason only - to make money and to gain political power. 

Fast forward to today and Fox News is not only the #1 most watched Cable News channel, the country is bitterly divided, and most of the media now just picks a side where only the most extreme views on either side of the political divide or "culture wars" are represented. 

Yes, Roger Ailes has a legacy beyond sexual harassment and people should also consider his professional legacy, because if you ask me, it's been more far reaching and damaging than any charges of sexual misconduct. 

So last week Roger Ailes died, just as Rupert Murdoch will and as will I. 

The worms will eat all our corpses and only our souls will be left to consider either the good or damage we have done to our fellow human beings and the world at large. 

I'm ok with that.  I wonder if Ailes was?  

Health Insurance For Circus Clowns (or the USA)

A few weeks ago my Health Insurance company cancelled me for lack of payment after I signed up for their recurring auto payment feature on their website which is how I pay 99% of my bills given my travel schedule.

It worked just once then stopped working and I never was made aware. Turns out their website had an option to pay the bill on the actual day it was due which I, like a dummy, checked off because, you know, it was 1 of 2 options (the other was to pick a date out of thin air and plug it in manually).

Turns out that particular "pay on due date" option doesn't actually work (never did get an explanation to the logical question: If it doesn't work then why was it included on the website?). Their website is like a sadistic game of Healthcare Roulette, choose the wrong payment option and you could lose your insurance.

Since they never sent me a bill (neither via USPS or Email or carrier pigeon), I had no idea my healthcare premiums weren't being paid until I was cut off. Ironically, I DID receive the cutoff notice promptly.

After a fumbling, circus like comical adventure that would have made Moe, Larry and Curley very proud, I was finally reinstated after paying back premiums and jumping through hoops like a trained schnauzer. Lucky for me, no buses hit me during my multi-week, no-insurance adventure.

Despite my complaints and half a dozen requests, I still don't receive bills or notices (they claim they are being mailed) and only receive the same "Welcome Aboard" Packages (3 of them so far, 1 every couple of months, which makes me even more concerned) and the big aforementioned "you are hereby cancelled" notification.

However, today, I finally received some actual mail correspondence from my "healthcare provider" (AKA My "If I get hit by a bus" policy). It was a form notice of non-discrimination as required by New York State Law. At least this mass mailer of legal gibberish made it to the mailbox, which maybe means I'm still insured... for the time being.

Why did I waste my time writing this long screed, I have no idea.. but thanks for indulging me.

Saving Rhinos from Extinction

Care For Wild Africa 

People say I have a great “job”, and I do, but producing Raw Travel is also a ton of work and sacrifice. I’m 99% sure I could make more $ doing something else, but I figured out a while back that old cliche about $ and happiness is actually true.  The impact of the show and feedback from viewers is one big part of the reason we carry on. At times I wonder if the show is having an actual impact other than entertainment, but then I hear stories like this Toronto gentleman who saw Raw Travel last year (we’re not licensed in Canada so I assume he saw the Buffalo or Detroit feed).

After tuning into our story on Care For Wild Africa/ African Conservation Experience this gentleman booked a trip to volunteer for them in South Africa and has returned a changed man. He’s telling others about his transformation and about this critical issue as rhinos near extinction. Here is his story and I thought I’d share it.  P.S. You can see our segment on the CFWA again this summer in “Amazing Animals” July 1st-2nd, 2017.

A link to his story can be found HERE:

Vice Who?

This is an ad in the media trade e-newsletter Cynopsis. Maybe it hits a little close to home but I find it kind of offensive when Vice says "Young People are tired of Old White Guys". Do they mean like Vice founder Shane Smith? (Old, white and now very rich). Or Vice investor Rupert Murdoch? He's really old.. and really white but also really rich. or Tom Freston, who made Vice what it is today.

Vice has had a ton of $ thrown at it in recent months due to it's "pied piper" status for reaching millennials which TV Networks are desperate to do. But Viceland has been an unqualified failure thus far, netting shows with titles like "Balls Deep" and less ratings than H2 or whatever was originally programmed at that channel.

But no surprise, Millennials are hard to reach (as is everyone with a gazillion things vying for their attention) and advertising $s even more scarce, which this ad was designed to address.

It doesn't work. Double digit growth from next to nothing audience is not really anything to crow about and the headline in the ad would be considered racists if it were making fun of any other gender or ethnicity (substitute "fat" or "dumb" for "old" and "Black, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, etc" for "White" or "woman" for "dude" and see how it sounds), especially coming from a network run by "old white dudes"

Free Child Slaves in Haiti

Freedom House is featured on Raw Travel 406 - Port Au Prince. They are a U.S. supported charity helping to free poverty stricken "restaveks" (child slaves).

A restavek is a child that has been given to another family as a servant in hopes to have their basic needs met. If you see the segment, you will see how incredible these children are now that they are surrounded by love. Freedom House is not a huge bureaucratic organization with a lot of waste.

They are small and grassroots and just the kind of organization we like to shine the light on.

If you are so moved after seeing this weekend's episode and would like to help Freedom House rescue more children, you can donate and support HERE.

A little goes a long way in Haiti, so no amount is too small.

RAW TRAVEL® EXPANDS GLOBAL FOOTPRINT INTO ASIA

RAW TRAVEL® EXPANDS GLOBAL FOOTPRINT INTO ASIA

-  Nat Geo People Asia Picks up Hit Travel Series from the U.S. -

New York, NY – October 13th, 2016 - AIM Tell-A-Vision® Group (AIM TV) announced today that Nat Geo People recently acquired Asian territorial rights to certain episodes of their production, Raw Travel®, the U.S.A.’S #1 most watched syndicated adventure travel & lifestyle series. The series began broadcasting on Nat Geo People in a variety of Asian territories earlier last month.

The announcement is just the latest in a string of licensing deals from Raw Travel’s international distributor Off the Fence Distribution, who has also inked several other deals for the series in territories in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and on a variety of airlines the past several months.

Off the Fence is responsible for licensing Raw Travel (58 x 30’) to media outlets outside of the United States and represents the show at global television markets, including the upcoming market MIPCOM later this month.

Raw Travel is a 30 minute adventure travel & lifestyle series that incorporates two of the fastest growing segments of travel: eco-tourism & voluntourism. The fast paced show focuses on authentic experiences to often off-the-beaten-path destinations as well as other more mainstream destinations. The show recently debuted its 4^th season in U.S. Syndication in the United States in 159 cities representing over 93% of U.S. television households.

“We are excited about working with Nat Geo People in Asia and in continuing to work with Off the Fence to expand our international audience even as our U.S. fan base continues to expand” stated Robert G. Rose, Executive Producer and Host. “Raw Travel’s unique perspective and positive message of socially consciousness living among an inclusive worldwide community resonates with global audiences. We are eager to welcome our new viewers and friends from across the globe and let them know we are proud to be citizens of the world with them.”

Visit www.RawTravel.tv  and www.RawTravelTrailer.com for more information. 

CAPE TOWN PUNK ROCK PIONEERS “HALF PRICE” DEBUT “STRAIGHT OUTTA’ (SOUTH) AFRICA” FOR U.S. AUDIENCES

AIM Tell-A-Vision Group / Punk Outlaw Records

info@punkoutlawrecords.com

www.PunkOutlawRecords.com

CAPE TOWN PUNK ROCK PIONEERS “HALF PRICE” DEBUT

“STRAIGHT OUTTA’ (SOUTH) AFRICA” FOR U.S. AUDIENCES  

- Punk Outlaw Records Signs African Band in Futile Bid to Become P. Diddy of Punk -

NEW YORK, NY, May 25th 2016 – AIM Tell-A-Vision® Group’s Punk Outlaw® Records announced the signing of their first band from the African continent with Half Price. Hailing from musical hot spot Cape Town, South Africa, Half Price has been rocking the African music scene for over 15 years. The band has toured extensively in South Africa and until now U.S. audiences had yet to hear their potent sound or explore African punk music in general. A concept that’s kind of nuts because when thinking of punk music, one automatically thinks of Africa.   

Featuring powerful rock hooks channeling Ozzy Osbourne, AC-DC, NOFX, Rancid, Offspring and several other bands you’ve probably never heard of, Half Price’s music adds just a touch of Ska and Reggae for songs that have razor sharp lyrics ranging from bitingly serious (corruption, inequality, H.I.V., etc.) to fall down funny (people borrowing and ruining your stuff, partying with friends and family, etc.).

The quartet that make up Half Price have been more focused on having a good time than exporting their raw, yet somehow simultaneously slick sounds to U.S. shores.  However, when veteran indie TV producer and Punk Outlaw Records owner, Robert G. Rose, was in South Africa filming his popular and rapidly growing international television series, Raw Travel®, Rose insisted on meeting the band. He subsequently tricked them into playing his favorite songs over and over while pretending to film them for “Raw Travel - Incredible Cape Town”.

Rose later signed Half Price because he was so impressed by their comradery and level of musicianship. The band also plied him with a huge wad of South African currency, which looked like a ton of money at the time, but turned out to be worth just $6 U.S. Dollars. But a deal is a deal, so Rose worked with the band to curate 16 songs from Half Price’s hefty repertoire and the result is “Straight Outta (South) Africa”, the album debuting on all the major digital sites including iTunes, Google Music, Amazon Music, CD Baby, and more.

Full, as well as instrumental only, versions of songs from the band will also be featured on Raw Travel’s upcoming Season 4 sound track debuting October 2016. Visit www.PunkOutlawRecords.com to hear Half Price’s music, see videos and find out more info on the band.  For information on Cape Town or South Africa, Google or Wikipedia is probably best.   

Half Price’s Cape Town, South Africa based members are: Homo Pete supplying main vocals and guitar, Emo Mawk on guitar and back-up vocals, Kyle "The Machine" on drums, The DFG playing bass guitar and backing vocals as well as some other crazy Africans on various tracks.

“Half Price is one of the most talented bands I’ve come across in all my travels, so I want to bring their music stateside. I don’t know if it will be well-received, but to be honest I don’t really care.” Robert Rose stated. “It’s more about staying true to what you believe in and I believe in Half Price. I also believe messages put forth in this collection of songs will ring true to fans as well.”

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ABOUT HALF PRICE:

Since 2001, Half Price has caused havoc in South African music circles. Their unique style of punk rock has been accumulating followers and detractors in equal amounts. They’ve been banned from various venues and have had their applications to festivals burned. Yet, like a bakkie (a South African 4 wheel drive truck) careening out of control, they’ve been bravely plowing forward refusing to back down. They claim to be 90% politically incorrect and 10% politically incompetent. The distinct backgrounds underlying the Half Price social movement has resulted in a truly unique style of music, which is both rocking and catchy.

Half Price has been spreading their high octane, and dangerously infectious party punk rock, touring extensively in Southern Africa and Europe. This relentless touring schedule has solidified a core following around South Africa. Half Price strictly adheres to a “We do what we want, when we want, how we want” ethos and is a mantra that their fans agree with and completely endorse. To listen to samples form the release “Straight Outta’ (South) Africa” please visit

http://punkoutlawrecords.com/release/half-price-straight-outta-south-africa/

ABOUT PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS:

Punk Outlaw Records is a digital record label and publishing company with a focus on distribution and promotion of socially conscious punk, ska, reggae, rockabilly and psychobilly and other music forms from around the world. The label’s mission is to facilitate music’s ability to bring social awareness and change to some of the world’s most pressing issues.  

ABOUT RAW TRAVEL

Raw Travel is an adventure travel and lifestyle television series currently heading into its 4th season airing in over 150 U.S. Cities (93% of the U.S.) via broadcast affiliates (Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, My, etc.), in a dozen or so territories and on a variety of outlets internationally in Europe, Africa, Asia and more.  Raw Travel showcases the rapidly growing wave of socially and environmentally aware, independent travel. The series weaves together themes of ecotourism, voluntourism (giving back) with underground music and authentic culture in a way unique to television. More information can be found at www.RawTravel.tv and viewers are encouraged to visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rawtraveltv and www.RawTravel.tv/wheretowatch for updates on complete listing of cities, affiliates and time slots in the U.S.

                                                          

ABOUT AIM TELL-A-VISION GROUP

AIM TV is an independent content, production and distribution company founded by media executive and entrepreneur Robert G. Rose. AIM TV aspires to produce and distribute positive, compelling content that reflects its mission of presenting Media That Matters. Visit www.AIMTVGroup.com and www.RawTravel.tv for more information.

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