Should guests be able to criticize networks they appear on? Ashburn and Kurtz weigh in

Earlier this week, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Tom Ricks appeared on FOX News to promote his new book, "The General," but ended up making headlines for something else entirely when the interview was cut short, following Ricks' criticism of the network's coverage of the Benghazi consulate attack. The interview lasted less than ninety seconds and has started a dialogue on whether it's acceptable for news guests to criticize the network they're appearing on. CNN Host Howard Kurtz and Daily Beast Contributor and Daily Download Editor-in-Chief Lauren Ashburn stop by “Starting Point” this morning to discuss Ricks’ rebellion and what should be the proper response from a host in a similar situation.

Kurtz says the handling of Ricks’ interview, “has been a ‘PR’ debacle for FOX” because it sent the message “that you get silenced because the criticism can’t be tolerated.” Ashburn says that regardless, “It’s FOX’s right to be able to do that. It’s their air.” Kurtz adds that if FOX had allowed the interview to continue, “It wouldn’t be this big of a deal…on the other side of that they’re certainly getting a lot of publicity.”