Is Fox News Destroying Republicans? Media Matters Has An Interesting Take

Fox News is an interesting network in the sense that it is hard to figure out if some of its decision makers are pro-right wing or anti-left wing. It's not the same thing, either.

For example, it seems sometimes that Fox News is more interested in launching attack after attack on President Obama and other Democrats more so then it is in trying to make the case for Republican presidential candidates like (are you ready for this?) Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Don't get me wrong, Fox News will work to carry the mail for Romney and Gingrich (or other contenders) when necessary for rehabilitation purposes.

But, for the most part, it seems Fox News has a mission to attack those on the left and that has been no more evident than with President Obama.

Still, is this helping or hurting the right wing?

Check out what Media Matters has to say on the issue:
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201201260009

Help Turn Of Fox News

Dear Sandy,

In the coming days, many of us will be spending time with family and close friends. You might find yourself in a house with Fox News on the TV, or you might find yourself in the company of a family member who likes to talk about the "truth" coming from Fox. You could also be with folks who understand the damage Fox does, but haven’t heard about this campaign. Any of these could be a great opportunity to talk about why you don’t watch Fox and why you’re part of the movement to get it turned off in public places. And if you have any good conversations, let us know.

There's no need to be confrontational. The person you’re talking with may not be receptive to what you have to say — and that’s ok. But you might be surprised. This is about sharing your concerns and beliefs, and hearing the thoughts of someone you love. When people are approached respectfully by someone they like and trust, it creates space for them to think and change.

Here are some pointers:

1. Remain calm. The point here isn't to start an argument — it's to share information. Even though some people may be hostile to what you have to say, keeping your cool can help defuse tense situations and make even skeptics receptive to what you have to say.

2. Just the facts. We’re often tempted to use inflammatory language when describing Fox News and their tactics — "evil" or "racist," for example. But think of the impact that this language might have on someone you’re trying to win over to your point of view. Does the fact that they watch Fox News make them "evil" or "racist"? Better to stick to the facts by describing what Fox News Channel does — stoking racial fear, helping to spread dangerous conspiracy theories, and distorting the truth. You can refer to our flyer "The Case Against Fox" for a few examples of what Fox News does, and the impact of their actions.

3. Listen to what others have to say. If you want to be listened to, then you should also be willing to listen to others' perspectives. If they state something untrue, you can and should offer facts to correct the record when you can — but not until after they've finished their thought. And remember, the point isn’t to get into an argument or even prove that you're correct. It's to share your point of view.

4. Offer more information. If the folks you talk to are interested in learning more about our campaign, just have them check out TurnOffFox.org. They can sign up for the campaign at that website.

The holiday season provides a unique opportunity to help more people understand what Fox is, how it poisons national discourse, and what role everyday people can play in stopping the damage.

After you have these conversations (even with those who already understand the issue), we would love to hear how they went.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Natasha, and the rest of the TurnOffFox.org team
December 22nd, 2010

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When Fox News Wins Democracy Loses ... A Message From Media Matters For America

Dear Sandy,

Glenn Beck and Fox News have had a toxic effect on the political process, and they're only going to push harder now.

Over the past two years, Fox has gone from a conservative-leaning news source to an active player in politics -- and things have taken an even darker turn as Beck's nightly show on Fox has brought right-wing extremism into the mainstream. Beck routinely launches outlandish attacks painting his progressive targets as part of a sinister conspiracy to intentionally destroy the country.

When advertisers sponsor Fox News, they're not just buying commercial airtime. They're making an affirmative investment in a political game -- one that puts dishonest smears, fearmongering, and vicious attacks ahead of accuracy. Money that goes to Fox funds Beck's conspiracy theories, baseless political attacks, and outright promotion of right-wing candidates for office.

Companies that are considering advertising on Fox need to keep that in mind, and they need to hear from you.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Every day, we at Media Matters for America monitor Fox News and its allies in the conservative media, researching claims, exposing violent rhetoric, debunking misinformation and preventing falsehoods from spreading unchallenged.

We've had success in making sure others in the press know that Fox is a player in politics, not an observer. We need your help to keep up that fight and get the message out to potential Fox advertisers. Unless it hits them right in the bottom line, Fox News has made it clear it won't rein in Beck and other serial misinformers.

You can be part of that fight.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Thank you for your support.

David Brock
Founder and CEO
Media Matters for America

The O'Reilly Sucks Blog Highlights Bill O'Reilly Going Ape S--t Over A Cartoon

I am always amazed at how Bill O'Reilly obsesses about almost every slight (real or perceived) against his precious Fox News.

O'Reilly is like the parent of a serial killer, who says "he/she was such a good kid." Like that parent, O'Reilly will go to great lengths to take up for Fox News no matter how inaccurate, racist or biased.

These days, O'Reilly has been whining about some shots the hit Fox Broadcasting cartoon "The Simpsons" has been taking at Fox News (see the cartoons below from Steve of The O'Reilly Sucks Blog that I found).

Below is what Steve had:



But of course O'Reilly did not find it funny at all. The Fox News blowhard came to the defense of his network, labeling the cartoon characters as pinheads.

O'REILLY: Continuing to bite the hand that feeds part of it, Fox Broadcasting once again allows its cartoon characters to run wild.

VIDEO from The Simpsons featuring helicopter emblazoned with "Not Racist But #1 With Racists" slogan. As the helicopter lets one passenger off at the statue of liberty, it becomes unsteady and the pilot says, "We're unbalanced. Its not fair" before crashing.

Pinheads? I believe so.

Even though O'Reilly slammed them, the Simpsons was right back to needling Fox News on last Sunday's show in which the right-wing network was given yet another alternative slogan, this one reading "Unsuitable For Viewers Under 75."



Fox Broadcasting and the producers of the Simpsons are not living in fear of Papa Bear Bill O'Reilly.

A Letter From Media Matters For America: Drop Fox

Dear Sandy,

We've watched as Fox News has gone from a conservative-leaning news source to an active political player -- but over the last two years, Fox has taken an even darker turn, aggressively pushing outright lies, over-the-top attacks, conspiracy theories, and heated, violent rhetoric. This sharp turn for the worse is epitomized by Glenn Beck, the self-described "progressive hunter" who paints the network's political adversaries as poisonous threats to freedom, faith and the Constitution.

Beck's falsehoods and dark prophecies of the nation's destruction have already had dangerous consequences. Beck's message inspired Byron Williams to embark on a mission of violence -- an attempt to "start a revolution" by killing staff at progressive organizations, including frequent Beck target the Tides Foundation.

Advertisers who sponsor Fox programming aren't just putting ads on a television network. They're actively paying to support a toxic force in our political climate, enabling the worst kind of incitement and deliberate misinformation.

Thousands of you have signed up to join our campaign to get advertisers to drop Fox. Companies who sponsor Fox need to make a choice. And they need to hear that from you.

You can join our campaign to tell advertisers to Drop Fox today.

Beck hasn't backed down. He's only stepped up his vilification of the Tides Foundation and other progressives in increasingly apocalyptic language. And rather than recognizing the danger and reining in Beck, Fox is standing by him. Though hundreds of companies refuse to advertise on Beck's show, their ongoing support for Fox helps keep Beck on the air.

As People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan said:

Americans deserve a wide range of viewpoints in their media, but Glenn Beck's violent rhetoric has crossed the line ... we cannot stand mute as his hate-filled broadcasts incite listeners to violence against those he has targeted.

Corporations that advertise on Fox should do so with their eyes wide open to what their money is supporting and what the consequences could be.

You can join our campaign to tell advertisers to Drop Fox today.

Thank you for your support.

David Brock
Founder
Media Matters for America

P.S. - This weekend, as thousands come to D.C. for the Rally to Restore Sanity and the Rally to Keep Fear Alive, Media Matters for America is helping them get involved in this important campaign. Visit FoxKeepsFearAlive.com to learn more.

Hat Tip To Crooks And Liars For Showing What Bill O'Reilly Didn't From His Interview With Jon Stewart

Crooks and Liars has put together a nice video to show some of what conservative Fox News host Bill O'Reilly didn't show on his right-wing television program as he interviewed Comedy Central's Jon Stewart.



Stewart kind of whips O'Reilly good in several of these clips. It's not surprising that O'Reilly aired mostly what was favorable to him.

Good work by David Neiwert.

Crooks and Liars:
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/what-bill-oreilly-edited-out-his-int

Fox News Beats Irony Into A Painful Submission

Fox News, home to right-wing news and opinion, recently sent out a memo to its people with “standards” in the subject line. As many of you know, Fox has effectively carved out a nice spot for itself in the media as the voice for the conservatives of this country and as media leader of the forces loudly opposing pretty much anything that is proposed by President Obama. But, Fox News is increasingly taking heat for its blatant activism for the causes for people far to the right of the political mainstream. Recently, after being busted leading cheers at what was in essence an anti-Obama rally (packed with tea baggers), the network apparently decided to issue a memo (one that is nothing short of ironic and laughable) to its employees.

From: Sammon, Bill
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 2:25 PM
To: 005 -Washington
Subject: standards

For those of us who have only been at Fox for a relatively short period of time, it’s useful to remind ourselves that, as journalists, we must always be careful to cover the story without becoming part of the story. At news events, we’re supposed to function as dispassionate observers, not active participants. We are there to chronicle the news, not create it.

That means we ask questions in a fair, impartial manner. When approaching interviewees, we identify ourselves, by both name and news organization, up front. We seek out a variety of voices and views. We take note of the scene in order to bring color and context to our viewers.

We do not cheerlead for one cause or another. We do not rile up a crowd. If a crowd happens to be boisterous when we show it on TV, so be it. If it happens to be quiet, that’s fine, too. It’s not our job to affect the crowd’s behavior one way or the other. Again, we’re journalists, not participants — and certainly not performers.

Indeed, any effort to affect the crowd’s behavior only serves to undermine our legitimate journalistic role as detached eyewitnesses. Remember, our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting — not altering –the important events of the day. That is nothing less than a sacred trust. We must always take pains to preserve that trust.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please stop by.

Uh, we have a lot of questions, but we expect few meaningful answers and thus see little reason to stop by.

This is completely and utterly laughable as Fox News regularly spits on these hollow standards Sammon is talking about.

News Hounds Continues To Be Watchdog For Biased, Hateful Fox Nation

Fox Nation, the Fox venture into blogging, has been particularly hostile toward President Barack Obama and has been about as far from fair and balanced as possible. But, like Fox News, Fox Nation has a habit of lying about being fair and balanced when they clearly are not.

Here is part of the News Hounds piece:

The latest example of blatant anti-Obama hate mongering on Fox Nation (Fox News’ website that boastsabout its tolerance and love for civil discourse) is its latest top headline that encourages parents to “sound off” about Obama’s upcoming address to school children. You’d think that conservatives who care about family values and education would be pleased that Obama plans to speak to our country’s young students about staying in school and the importance of education. But when you’re dedicated 24/7 to undermining every thing the opposing Party’s president does, you’ll grab anything and not just oppose it but turn it into incendiary rabble rousing. Predictably, the Fox Nation article offers one side, the anti-Obama side, only. Its one quote is inflammatory suggesting Obama’s address is about “socialism” and “indoctrination.”

Same language from Fox Nation trying to demonize the president from people who have no interest in trying to bring people together.

Far-Right Bill O’Reilly Tries To Help Even More Far-Right Glenn Beck

Far-right Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly brought in one of the few people he would have to turn to the right and use binoculars to see, the nutty Glenn Beck.

This is an excerpt from The O’Reilly Sucks Blog:

Next up was Glenn Beck, Billy had Beck on to cry about the liberals who are attacking him. Beck said he dont care, and called them communists. O’Reilly mentioned Van Jones and the colorofchange group, but never once mentioned that 36 sponsors have pulled their ads from the Glenn Beck show. They just ignored it like it never happened, then claimed it was only liberals who are mad at Beck. Earth to Billy and crazy Glenn Beck, when 36 major Corporations pull their ads from your show, including wal-mart, Sprint, Farmers Insurance, and UPS, etc. it’s more than just liberals mad at you.

Andnot once has O’Reilly ever mentioned why those sponsors have pulled their ads from the Beck show, because Beck called Obama a racist who hates white people.So they ignore all the facts to claim that only liberals are mad at him. Hey guys, wal-mart is hardly a liberal company. O’Reilly even said the left is against freedom of speech, and they just want to shut him and Beck up. Which is just ridiculous, and total right-wing lies. The left supports free speech 100%, all we want from you right-wing stooges is for you to tell the truth, and stop putting out all the right-wing propaganda and lies. We dont want to shut you up, we just want you to tell the truth. So we report on your lies, and that is not violating your free speech rights in any way.

O’Reilly called Van Jones anti-American, then admitted he knows nothing about the man. Beck called him a communist, and repeated the same crap he reported about him on his Tuesday show. Beck even talked about the Obama FCC diversity czar, he claims the man is a radical who wants to limit how many kids you can have, and that he is going to shut down all the right-wing talk radio shows. Which is all lies, none of that is going to happen, but O’Reilly sat there and agreed with Beck like it was true. Finally beck said he feels sorry for the Kennedy family, but that he did not agree with Ted Kennedy on anything.

It shows how sad things are that these cable news commentary shows have hosts interviewing other hosts so they can promote each other and use a little help to advance their extremist agendas. O’Reilly seemed to have Beck on to do little more than to help the ridiculous talk show host try to rehabilitate his damaged image in the wake of his insanely-nutty and racial charges against President Obama that has caused sponsors to distance themselves.