Posts Tagged ‘NBC’

The network morning shows on Thursday trumpeted Barack Obama's nuclear weapons treaty with Russia as "historic" and "landmark," with only Good Morning America allowing that the reduction plan could be "controversial." However, ABC's George Stephanopoulos also enthused, "But, [Obama and Russia's President] are here first and foremost to make history..."

Reporting live from Prague, Stephanopoulos was mostly light on details. He did explain that the treaty's goal is to cut "nuclear arsenals by about 30 percent over the next seven years." And while the ex-Democratic aide allowed that "critics call [the treaty] utopian and dangerous," he didn't explain why.

Co-host Robin Roberts announced, "George Stephanopoulos is there in Prague for the historic moment." She later teased, "George is traveling, of course, with the President, who just signed a landmark treaty."

Roberts labeled the agreement a "controversial arms control agreement," a term not used over on CBS's Early Show. Substitute new anchor Betty Nguyen described the treaty as a "new start" between Russia and the U.S.

Early Show reporter Chip Reid just regurgitated White House talking points: "President Obama arrived in Prague Thursday morning to sign what the White House calls a historic agreement with Russia on reducing nuclear arms."

He parroted, "White House advisers say a full year of intense negotiations has also helped foster better relations with Russia and with President Dmitry Medvedev."

On NBC's Today, Meredith Vieira hailed, "And one big step. President Obama and his Russian counterpart sign a landmark treaty overnight to slash both countries' nuclear arsenals." Co-host Matt Lauer proclaimed, "It's a major move in his push for a nuclear-free world."

Unlike Stephanopoulos, Chuck Todd, to his credit, provided more detail in explaining exactly what is in the treaty:

CHUCK TODD: The treaty limits deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 total for each country, a cut of 30 percent from the last treaty in 2002. Long-range nuclear weapons are limited to 700 for each country. Combined, the two countries account for 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons with seven other countries accounting for the other 10 percent. Experts say this treaty is only be a success if it leads to the Russians agreeing to even more cuts.

But, just as with the Early Show, the reporters and hosts on Today did not hint at any controversy.

A transcript of the April 8 GMA segment, which aired at 7:02am EDT, follows:

7am tease

ROBIN ROBERTS: This morning, breaking news. The President signs a controversial arms control agreement with Russia. George Stephanopoulos is there in Prague for the historic moment.

7:01

ROBERTS: And we know that George is traveling, of course, with the President, who just signed a landmark treaty- there's George- to reduce the two countries' nuclear weapons by a third. It comes almost exactly one year after President Obama pledged to put an end to cold-war thinking. But, it sparked heated debate here at home. And we'll get the latest from George in Prague in just a moment.

7:02

ROBIN ROBERTS: But, of course, we begin with the historic signing of the nuclear arms reduction treaty. George is in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, where the signing just took place. Good morning, George.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Good morning, Robin. That's right. Except the two Presidents are running late because they had a very long business meeting, dealing with the situation in Iran. Also that unrest in Kyrgyzstan. But, they are here first and foremost to make history, by signing the most significant arms reduction treaty in two decades. The President was welcomed to Prague this morning with pomp and circumstance. After meeting Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Obama got down to business with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. High on the agenda, confronting Iran's nuclear program. Then, the main event. The two Presidents signed a landmark treaty that will reduce their nuclear arsenals by about 30 percent over the next seven years. An important step in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia. And a significant down payment on the ambitious nuclear agenda, critics call it utopian and dangerous, that Obama first outlined a year ago here in Prague.

BARACK OBAMA: So, today, I state clearly and with conviction. America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Now, the President said today that is the work of a lifetime, maybe even beyond. But he's taken important steps. Announcing earlier this week, he would put new restrictions on the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. And he's invited 47 world leaders to Washington on Monday for a nuclear security summit. Robin?

ROBERTS: All right, George. Now, the treaty is signed. It has to be ratified, of course, by the Senate. Expect a fight there at all?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Oh, there's no question there's going to be a fight, Robin. Remember, a treaty takes 67 vote in order to get ratified. That means the President is going to have to get at least seven Republicans. He's already gotten criticism from Republicans who worry that this treaty may restrict U.S. missile defense programs. And the Russians have said that as well. But the White House officials tell us they expect this to get ratified this year.

ROBERTS: This year. Well, you alluded a moment ago to the unrest in Kyrgyzstan. And it's such an important ally in the war against Afghanistan, George.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That's exactly right. The President seems to have been ousted in Kyrgyzstan because he wanted support for a United States base in Kyrgyzstan, that's used to resupply Afghanistan. White House officials say that this base is still running, despite the fact that the President has left the capital. And this interim leader, this opposition leader who seems to have taken over in Kyrgyzstan, says there will not be any interference with the operation of that base.

ROBERTS: Such troubling situation in that region over there. I know you said the President is running a little bit late. But you have some time with him in just a little bit. Much to talk to him about, as always, right, George?

STEPHANOPOULOS: So much to talk to the President about. Of course, coming off the signing, we're going to talk to him about whether he can convince the Russians and the Chinese to really crack down on Iran's nuclear program. We also might get into the situation in Kyrgyzstan, the unrest in Afghanistan. There's so much to talk to the President about. And then Tomorrow, we move on to Russia. We'll talk to the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev. And we'll broadcast from St. Petersburg tomorrow and Moscow on Monday.

Thanks to James Cameron's "Avatar," environmentalists have a whole new way to preach to audiences about their over consumption. Invited on Wednesday's Today show to showcase endangered species, Sea World and Busch Garden's animal ambassador Julie Scardina played on the guilt of viewers as she asked the Today cast if they had seen Avatar and warned them: "You know our world is as amazing and incredible and unique as Pandora and yet a lot of people don't realize it's being destroyed in the same way." As Scardina played with a gibbon NBC's Ann Curry prompted Scardina: "Why is this gibbon's habitat so endangered?" which allowed Scardina to rail against logging, development and "consumption" in general.

The following exchange was aired on the April 7 Today show:

MATT LAUER: We're back at 8:45am with Today's Call of the Wild. This morning protecting endangered animals. The Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund works to preserve habitats and help save many species from extinction. Julie Scardina is Sea World and Busch Gardens' ambassador or animal ambassador. So Julie good to see you.

JULIE SCARDINA, SEA WORLD AND BUSCH GARDENS: Good morning you guys.

LAUER: Nice to- and you are holding an animal that you described as one of the most incredible on the planet.

SCARDINA: It really is. I mean this little guy is one of the most acrobatic. Now this, this little guy is only eight months old so.

AL ROKER: He's just a baby. 

SCARDINA: He's just, he's just hanging out with us. But these are one of the most acrobatic animals in the forest. 200 feet up!

MEREDITH VIEIRA: Is he a gibbon?

SCARDINA: That's right. There are about 15 species of gibbons and unfortunately all of them are endangered. You know if you guys saw the movie Avatar?

VIEIRA: Yeah.

SCARDINA: You know our world is as amazing and incredible and unique as Pandora and yet a lot of people don't realize it's being destroyed in the same way.

ANN CURRY: Why is gibbons habitat, why is this gibbon's habitat so endangered?

SCARDINA: Well you know only 10 percent of it remains because of conversion to oil palm, conversion to well logging basically for, for wood. There's also development. There's a lot more people on the planet. Competition for resources. So-

VIEIRA: Are they captured also for exotic pets?

SCARDINA: Yes. They absolutely are.

VIEIRA: That's awful.

SCARDINA: So, you know it's, it's, just there are things people can do when they, when they travel or even at home to make sure that we do preserve by not buying exotic hardwoods-

VIEIRA: Exactly.

SCARDINA: -and things like that.

LAUER: Yeah.

SCARDINA: But all over the world there's just, there's a lot of stuff happening. Thirty percent of amphibians are, are endangered.

CURRY: Palm oil production is a major factor.

LAUER: He is really cool.

SCARDINA: Fifty percent of all primates are endangered or threatened with extinction.

VIEIRA: Oh my gosh!

ROKER: Wow!

...

LAUER: And people need to get involved. That's your message.

SCARDINA: That's, that's exactly right. Pay attention. Do the small things. Even the little things. Make sure that we reduce our consumption. Make sure that we're paying attention and saying, "You know do I really need this or can I share these resources with other critters?"

CURRY: Use less.