Why FOX News isn’t a news organization

Posted on October 24th, 2009 by ecthompson md

Look, it really doesn’t matter that you or I disagree with FOX News. It doesn’t matter that the “news” that they choose to highlight really isn’t newsworthy (remember the mainstream media covered the balloon fiasco ad nauseum for more than two straight hours). Instead, what distinguishes FOX from a real news outlet is its promotion of events to oppose and overthrow the legitimately elected Barack Obama government. Again, it is not their support, but their willingness to fund, organize and market these events. So the fact that Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly are blowhards doesn’t bother me (although I do like taking their factual errors and non sequiturs apart).

That the mainstream media cozied up to FOX News and supported their cause just points to the fact that the mainstream media is owned by large corporations who believe that money is more important than anything else. This is not vindication that FOX News isn’t an advocacy organization. Instead, this is the old guard not wanting things to change. The fact that the Obama administration caved to pressure illustrates that the White House doesn’t seem to want to stand up for their principles.

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Tags: Media, Obama administration, Party Politics // 9 Comments »

  • Joe White

    You are aware that Hannity and OReilly’s shows are opinion and not put forth as news shows, aren’t you?

    Can you give an example of one of the Fox News anchors advocating the overthrow of the US government?

  • ecthompson

    This is why I included video. 4:22 in the video Glenn Beck. 

    Overthrow and oppose this government. 

  • zackery

    there are so many times people say that and get told the are rasist or just not smart
    but the dont see what we see in this

  • Joe White

    You are aware that Glenn Beck’s show is an opinion show also, aren’t you?

  • ecthompson

    The commercials that Fox produced and ran throughout the day doesn’t explain the opinion of Glenn Beck. Of course, I know that Beck, Hannity and O’Reilly are opinion shows. What i’m talking about isn’t just opinion of these guys.  The network has sponsored and supported groups that oppose the White House. You know this. Just admit it. 

  • ecthompson

    what?

  • Joe White

    No, I don’t know this. I don’t watch Fox News. (I don’t even have cable.)

    I asked for an example of a news anchor, and you gave me Glenn Beck.

  • TCB

    Maddow supports the administration’s complaints against Fox, although she seems clueless why her colleagues sided against her and the administration.
     
    Thanks for the clip. She misinterprets her main piece of evidence. The clip she shows was a promo to watch their news station cover this news event . Also, I think Fox is trying to dig up stories. Maddow doesn’t prove the case that Fox organized the tea parties. All the clip show is that Fox is promoting their coverage of an event.  I’ve seen news organization promote their coverage of political conventions.  When NBC runs a commercial,  “Be with us on the opening of the Democratic convention.” I would not assume that NBC is now a tool of the Democrats.
     
    Maddow’s take is that Fox is really an antigovernment cabal that produces a few news stories. Funny how the antiwar protestors weren’t antigovernment  but patriots. Whereas those who oppose universal heatlthcare are seditious. Let’s leave aside the statist rhetoric that protest about proposed policies is protest against the government or an attempt to overthrow the government.
     
    Her arguments supporting the administration are strained and idiosyncratic. John Stroessell speak s at an antihealthcare rally; he works for Fox;  therefore Fox is not a news organization.  
     
    Should  journalist s who do more than express an opinion about an issue still be allowed in the temple of the newsroom?  Maddow says no. I have a hard time believing that she has never done more than express her opinion.
     
    Finally, I think that Maddow is being disingenuous.  The problem with Fox is the reporting (ACORN, Van Jones, Anita Dunn, town halls etc),  not any rallies or speaking at political events.
     
    Anyway, Maddow misses an ever bigger point.  The government doesn’t decide who’s a  respectable journalist and who isn’t. They can decide who they want to talk to. However, expecting the rest of the media to line up with you against other journalist is crazy.  Her colleagues got that.
     

  • TCB

    ECT: The fact that the Obama administration caved to pressure illustrates that the White House doesn’t seem to want to stand up for their principles.

    What is the principle that they are defending?

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