O'Reilly says Fox News only held back Jackson's 'trash talk'

NEW YORK -- Fox News host Bill O’Reilly tonight defended the network’s decision to hold back some footage of Rev. Jesse Jackson disparaging Sen. Barack Obama that was caught on tape this week.

The Fox News host, who on Wednesday showed a clip of Jackson saying he wanted to cut the candidate’s “nuts off,” said tonight that the unaired material included “trash talk” that was not “relevant to public policy.”

“You got the entire story concerning Jackson and Obama,” O’Reilly told viewers.

Earlier today, a Fox News executive said the cable news channel was considering whether to run more of the footage of Jackson's comments, which the civil rights leader made Sunday morning while waiting to be interviewed on "Fox & Friends."

Here’s an excerpt of O'Reilly's remarks on tonight’s “The O’Reilly Factor”:

We held back some of Jackson's comments because they were not relevant to public policy.  If we were trying to hurt the man, or the Democratic Party, we surely would have used those comments.

The fact that we did hold back some of Jackson's remarks has angered some viewers, like Steven Graham, who lives in Laramie, Wyo.

He writes, "Bill, you only reported half of the story. Do you think NBC or CNN would have reported half the story if Bush or Cheney had been overheard?"

Well, you're absolutely right about the president and vice president, sir.  The left-wing media would have used every damaging thing they had, especially NBC News, which routinely lies about conservatives and Republicans to its everlasting disgrace. But we are not like them. You got the entire story concerning Jackson and Obama. Nothing was held back on that.

We didn’t run some trash talk that had nothing to do with policy.  As most people know, the 'Factor’ has been tough on Jesse Jackson, holding him accountable for what he does in the public arena, and even investigating his finances. But we are not out to hurt the man in personal ways.

Again, that separates us from the vicious media that we deplore.  We hold nothing back about policy. We are tough but fair to everyone, but the personal stuff we reject, unless it affects your life. That policy has served us well over the past 12 years.  No spin analysis.  It holds the powerful accountable and protects the folks, especially the kids and the elderly. But no personal stuff, unless it is absolutely necessary.

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[Krishnamachary]

Jesse jackson is a reverend. His words are holy, that is what he thinks. This is the time of 'information' not of religion. Let them who want to hear Jesse Jackson. I ignore them.

[tom]

when reverend jackson claims to be a man of christian ways and he speaks with such
disrespect it is rightful for the public to know, and the obligtion of the press to imform us.
print it.

[al sowins]

How did Jacksons slur get out?
What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart- the inner man.
Why would you prevent us from seeing what jackson really is?

[Sean K]

Yeah right. If Fox or "blank-for-brains" O' Reilly had anything on that tape the least bit damaging to any prominent figure on the left they'd have aired in in its entirety on a prime time special. What a pathetic bluff. If there's anything else damaging on that tape, its probably damaging to the republicans. No other reason on earth they wouldn't air it. Anyone who thinks Fox news has 'too much integrity for that' is a complete moron. If I was Jackson I would demand they release the rest of the tape and/or sue for defamation of character.

[Marie D Smith]

I think all the coments should be shown,you can bet if Rove said these things about a presidential candidate it would be a on the letter cables abc cbs nbc etc.

[Russell]

Sharpton- Jackson are just as racist as any white person. It is not surprising that those things were said. Like IMUS- everyone can be a lie on TV and then be a lie off TV at the same time.The public has been dupped for so long that it's terminal.
WE believe these people because the media works that way. They are about rating and who is paying the bucks to push there products to keep them on the air.Could you imagine a white radical grilling Jackson like Sharpton did to Imus?
Even my coment has to be approved- Kind of like Russia Germany China -You knoe the deal - Wake up America

[Yolie]

I agree 100% with Jackson's comments. Obama has shunned the black community in his bare-fisted lust for power. I am one Democrat who will never vote for him as much as I'm like a brother in office. I'd vote for Hillary in November, or in four years. Obama? Never. If it's between him and McCain I'll go with the white dude.

[Chris PolitiPornster]

I think I smell a set up. Jackson makes these statements on FOX and Friend and then they are aired on O'Reilly's show 4 days after the fact?

Instead of the Jackson comments, I implore Anne Makris to release the Bill-O' sex tapes. Anne for your country, your pride and your dignity, allow America to hear the O'Reilly Phone Sex tapes!

[smartsista]

Sean K you are absolutely right!! This is just a bluff, there's nothing more on the tape that would hurt the "left wing". Bill O'Reilly and Fox has no integrity.

[Mike Arabucki]

I started watching your network because you told us everything and let us be the intelligent people we are and draw our own conclusions. Now you are no better than the others by reporting what YOU think we need to know. Is it not news if Jesse talks like a rapper, who HE says HE wants them to tone it down. Don't preach fair and impartial news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James]

Oh, this is wonderful, the war hero Bill protecting JJ from himself, and all the kids and elderly from the lying liberal media. O'Really is the biggest buffoon in the public arena. Prez move over. He still can't beat Rove as a liar though, close but no cigar.

[gladys]

If this had been said by Imus or Limbaugh, the news outlets would have shown ALL of it....
Double standard Bill. Not fair and balanced

[Barack]

The smartest thing Rush Limbaugh ever said was calling Bill O ...... Ted Baxter
One can only imagine his golf manners!

[Mr.T]

If we elect our first "black" president, we will always be second-guessing his motives because of his curious antecedence, just as JJ did under the table.

[marty z]

Bill , you are a complete phoney!! You are basically censoring the news just like the left. American is dying and you are throwing dirt into the grave. SHAME ON YOU!!

[John]

Bill you are a phony,its all just censorship, tell all the facts or none at all.

[james johnson]

What OReilly is covering up is Jesse Jackson's desperation to retain the sacred cow status of blacks as victims of white racism and his business of extorting corporations that have "race relations" problems. Obama seems to be saying, black males have made there own mess and JJ will have none of that.