However biased Fox “News” has been to the Obama Administration, there’s a near left-right unanimity that it was foolish for them to attack the network, in part because it elevated Fox’s ratings, and, stretching the metaphor, you don’t fight with folks who “buy ink by the barrel.”
The common wisdom is wrong. It was smart to explain that Fox News is more an arm of the Republican party than it is a news organization.
First, criticism that it was Nixonian is absurd. No one will be burglarized or audited. One doubts we’ll ever hear a recording of Obama later saying “remember, the press is the enemy, the press is the enemy.”
Second, it’s facile and false symmetry to argue that MSNBC has been as anti-Bush as Fox is anti-Obama. When has MSNBC’s news reports been as biased as Fox’s ad nauseam coverage of the birthers, tea baggers and the crazed town hall meeting protestors? And when has any other broadcast or cable network actually organized rallies against a sitting president, as Fox unashamedly did with the tea bag protests? As Rachel Maddow alone editorialized, why should Gibbs, Dunne, Emanuel, Axelrod et. al. cooperate with what has been an arm of the opposition party? Did Bush go on Olbermann?
As president of Air America Media, I obviously have no problem with opinion radio or TV. But we and The Nation magazine don’t pretend to be “fair and balanced,” only interesting and accurate. When Roger Ailes tried to spin me at a Christmas party last year that “we really have both sides on our news,” I sort of admired his audacity. But I was also thinking that a gutsy Federal Trade Commission could charge Fox with false and misleading advertising. It’s one thing to be almost impressed at his message discipline, but what fool could possibly swallow his talking points whole?
Still, should the White House have made a point of calling out Fox? Yes, because the only way to deter or slow bullies is to stand up to them. Chiding Fox won’t convert them into MoveOn members but one doubts they’ll organize the next tea bag rally.
And others will now more likely flinch before flinging falsehoods realizing that the administration may actually respond to phony attacks. At the least, they won’t be able to assume that Obama will invariably turn the other cheek with his post-partisan temperament. Indeed, any politician is in a weak position--whether in a public debate or a legislative negotiation--if he has just one register, whether it’s always nasty (Giuliani) or always nice (Obama).
By telling the truth about Fox, Cheney et. al., Obama has thrown his more virulent critics off-stride. When a batter knows that the pitcher can throw brush-back pitches, it’s harder to dig in and swing away. The squeals we hear from the Far Fright is the sound of those who have to think twice the next time they’re tempted to call a President a racist or socialist or fascist or whatever to goose ratings.
A president who took the oath of office on the bible of another lanky Illinoisian could do worse than imitating Lincoln’s approach, who was said to have had “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”
There are 36 comments
Well, I appreciated this editorial; I thought it was very accurate. It will not change the fox "No Fact Zone" viewers because they believe they are hearing the truth. Look at the posts by Belcher and Papadoc, they aren't going to look past their nose for any facts let alone critically evaluate what they would discover.
Papadoc, Couric might be over paid but she didn't receive tax payer money to get her salary. Don't you see a difference in where the money comes from and if it was earned or borrowed? You think its ok for billions in bonuses to be paid to those who have failed at their jobs? Without our money those millionaires go down! Couric's salary has NO impact on our tax dollars.
Although I don’t agree with the Obama bailout, the money release was at least controlled and documented. The 350 billion Bush’s administration gave out is not traceable. They don’t know, or won’t state, where it went or who got it. With that in mind how do we get it back? So Obama does it responsibly and Bush does it irresponsibly. Bush is given a pass on that behavior because he has been an irresponsible goofball his entire life. Ask his father!
@Anastasia
Wow! If Someone A did something B, then Someone else C (who I know nothing about) would have surely reacted by saying something D. Buncha hypocrites!
LOL Yeah, okay! How many strawmen deep can you go and still be horrified at how they mighta coulda woulda probably said?
I personally think it would be fine if Oberman was out there whipping up a crowd. So what? I don't care who gives what speech at what event. What business is it of yours or mine? Or do you think everyone everywhere should get your stamp of approval before addressing any crowd? (The premise of course requires that Oberman 'could' whip up a crowd or that people 'would' show up to listen.)
Curious - When Katie Couric demands apologies from executives bringing home 7 figures, but herself brings home 8 figures, does that hypocrisy bother you? No strawmen there.
I could just imagine the hue & cry on Fox if back in 2005 MSNBC had promoted the anti-war rally in DC, LA, San Francisco, Portland, London...O' Rielly and Hannity would have blown a gasket if Kieth Olbermanns producer was caught on camera whipping the crowd into a frenzy, they would have called him a "traitor"...accused him of being another Jane Fonda.lol...Their hypocrisy knows no end, hell yeah call them out.
@ 31 .r st john,
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Actually, i wish they would call them out and... be specific. it's easy to generalize someone as a liar and a political tool. It's quite another to be specific about it and let the fact checkers go to work.
It's curious that you can't do that either. I can do that with the NBC franchise, a network owned by GE who stands to make billions from Obamas "green" initiatives, Obama's health care, and who sits their CEO on Obama's advisory panel. As Air "America" chief honcho, why isn't this your target? You'd have been all over it if Rupert Murdock bought Haliburton, Rockwell, and Boeing, and then got appointed to a Bush advisory board. Where's the intellectual honesty?
Frankly, I would be all over it too. Industry should never be in bed with government.
Let's take it a step farther. Shouldn't the press be the watchdog and the third party who watches the other two? If so, who else do you think questions Obama? The rest are all too busy putting on specials for the Obama policy initiatives.
And finally, how angry would you be if a conservative administration came on and banned all liberal news organizations? Yes, I know it would be different because it would be the other way around. But if one administration can act on their opinion, shouldn't another one be allowed to do the same thing? Where's the intellectual honesty?
A Moderator has removed this comment due to a Terms of Service violation.
Here's a screen shot of FOX NEWS stating that Scooter Libby was found "not guitly":
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aiSzqVSmgpU/RfDhuzQDndI/AAAAAAAAALY/mJtII73JfWo/s400/Faux%2BNews%2B-%2BLibby%2BFound%2BNot%2BGuilty.jpg
Here they label Mark Foley as a democrat:
http://www.bradblog.com/Images/FoxOReilly_MarkFoleyDEM_100306.jpg
Here they are identifying Mark Sanford as a democrat:
http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/images/item/fnc-20090624-sanford.jpg
FOX News also has a history of "mistakenly" identifying republicans caught in scandal as democrats. The 20%er's lap it up.
@ 25. John Belcher
Who are you?
Only 20%? Then what the heck is the anointed one afraid of?
Just make a list of Foxes lies, go on the show and pound them face to face.
But wait, the facts aren't on his side. He's not going anywhere without his teleprompter.
He doesn't want to be made to look stupid like Gore did when the guy from the Irish news flushed out the fact there are more polar Bears, not less as Gore proposed?
Liberals are always wrong when facts matter.
No facts? Bash Bush, Bash FOX
I think the 20% who support Bush/Cheney will never turn away from the FOX NEWS propaganda. You can't help everyone. Some parts of society just need to be dragged along.
Remember that time Bill-O claimed his boycott of France was working because some publication called "Paris Business Review" reported it was? Only there was no publication by that name! LOL You can't make this stuff up. Well Bill can.
Lufa!
8 years of derailment?
Did you forget that the Democrats owned Congress the last 2 of those 8? When did the crap hit the fan?
TARP? Hell no. Not from ANY President.
You think I'm a Bush ass kisser like you guys are Obama ass kissers?
When Bush tried to shove Amnesty down out throats and said he'd see us at the signing I was pissed and sent emails and faxes. Guess what, no amnesty
You complain about Bush spending but support this guys spending? Hypocrites.
If Obama wanted to do injury to this country, what would he do different than what he is doing right now?
Wake up. It's not his money it's ours.
Honestly, President's have to be above getting into spitting wars with the media. Think what you will of Fox News (and I think plenty, not much of it good), they are a news organization, just like all the others. How they choose to present the news is there business, and they choose to present it in such a fashion as it appeals to their audience, which is no different than what MSNBC, Air America, CBS, ABC, NBC, or anyone else does.
The days of news organizations actually reporting "the news" are long over, finally consigned to the grave with Walter Cronkite's passing. Frankly, the President and his staff need to ignore the machinations of external news organizations and continue to work toward getting the country back on track after 8 long years of derailments.
Glad to see Mark that you believe in absolutes; so do I. What is confusing though is why you would site "Editorializing” (As Rachel Maddow alone editorialized…) as evidence for anything?
Also, there are plenty Libertarians, Democrats, Independents at Fox news who actively speak out against the republicans. So I will need more than your editorializing to truly understand where you get your evidence from. Like maybe the results of Broadcaster’s content?
Being an Independent I particularly don’t like either party. But it doesn’t take much to discern between personal attacks and commenting of facts.
I would guess that John Stossel made the move for some reason? I know Geraldo Rivera went from MSNBC several years ago, isn’t he a Democrat? So to say they are an “ARM” of any party to me is as you say “Editorializing.”
Personally I watch and listen to as many different viewpoints as possible and there are plenty.
I wish there wasn’t narcissism and evil then I would have nothing to be concerned about. So, that means, someone is right and someone is wrong. One thing is for sure, I will always side with that which will keep you, my neighbor, my family and me safe and productive to build a better family, neighborhood, community, country and world.
But it <i>is</i> an arm of the GOP, and you are nothing but a drone of the GOP in their thrall. Why not admit this, and be honest?
You're right, John Belcher, Afghanistan and Iraq are definately Obama's fault, not Bush's. After all, Obama started and mismanaged both of those wars.
Which guys you talking about?
Me, I check out Airhead America for a good laugh and to see how information can be manipulated to make it look like it's
Bush's fault.
I'm still looking for a pulse of the truth. Still looking.
Wow. What the hell is wrong with you guys? When did America become so full of wing-nut fundamentalist lunatics? Why are you even a member of Air America Radio? Is common sense really a thing of the past now?
Like I said
If FOX is lying, call them on it. Otherwise, I'll assume they are correct.
Beck has a red phone for Anita Dunne to call. Has she?
Oh Lena, you are indeed a funny one... Great quotes in your post
"AS HE RELEASES GITMO WAR CRIMINALS, SO THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR JOBS OF TERRORISM" - no he's going to try them and convict them, same way we did with Ted Bundy, the Unabomber, Tim McVey, et al.
"he is responsible for the fear and inaction he shows with HIS WAR in Afghanistan" - really the war Bush started then abandoned to start the war he really wanted in Iraq? Unlike Bush who rushed to war with Iraq, Obama is actually THINKING about the situation before putting our children in harm's way.
"trying to pull the strings on a puppet who thinks he has a brain" - umm, ever compare Obama's resume to Bush's? Ever compare their academic record? No, didn't think so.
"He will lose his war against the American People"... let me make a little accuracy fixy: "He will WIN his war FOR the American People". There, now it's correct. No thanks necessary.
Mark Green - With all due respect that you deserve, your opinions are thank GOD, just your opinions.
Here we have a President who has done nothing since taking office except to increase our Nations debt 20-fold. He is responsible for the recent blood bath in Iraq - AS HE RELEASES GITMO WAR CRIMINALS, SO THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR JOBS OF TERRORISM, he is responsible for the fear and inaction he shows with HIS WAR in Afghanistan, which is giving the Taliban and Al Qaeda the courage to re-organize, he is responsible for regimes like the one currently in Iran with the "bullying" of the vote of the people in their most recent election and their flexing of their NUKE muscle, he responsible for N. Korea to throw their NUKE muscle around as well and their recent "nuke missle tests"...He is responsible for the current dissent in the WORLD in general, due to his attacks on America "his own country" via his apology tours... I could go on...
Obama is a useless and incompetent human being. His puppeteers are failing miserably at trying to pull the strings on a puppet who thinks he has a brain.
He will lose his war on FOX News, He will lose his war against the American People... The legacy that he leaves as the first black American President is a sad one indeed...
Your totally inaccurate article above and the Left of the left wing rhetoric it smacks of, will only put you and those who drink your Koolaid, in the little box you belong in... And it is not one that is rooted on American soil...
Viva La FOX and God Bless America!
I didn't know Air America was still around.
Did George inject some cash?
Did it ever occur to you Liberal losers that the GOP and truth might be related?
The WH is in for a rough patch if they stay on the attack against FOX.
If they have a problem with FOX, get your asses on there and refute the facts.
Bunch of bed wetters
"chiryou
What a stupid article. You make the assumption that FNC is an arm of the GOP with no proof. Anyone with conservative views is now automatically associated with the GOP? Then you try to claim that MSNBC isn't biased in their news coverage. I view both networks daily and this article is dishonest."
Chiryou, you could take your own advice and prove why not. As well as showing how MSNBC actually IS more biased than FNC, instead of just exploding into defensiveness.
Hey chiryou, let me break is down for you so you might be able to grasp what's going on.
Sure MSNBC has opinion shows, like Keith and Maddow. But they are clearly labeled as opinion shows. They are analagous to Beck and O'Riely.
But when the "news" programming on Fox comes on, they push the same agenda as the opinion shows. Ever watch Fox&Friends, their morning show? All GOP shills. Compare that to MSNBC's morning show with Joe Scarborough. A republican who is counterbalanced by his progressive co-host, Mika. In order to be 'fair and balanced', you actually have to have people from both sides, ya know.
Anyone remember when the Bush admin was busted for sending memo to Fox advising them not to mention the name Bin Laden?
If you want proof, other than what you see and hear on Fox 24/7, start there.
What other comment would you expect from the media department of the ultra-left wing of the democratic party! The problem with Air America is it is so far left that no sensible American actually pays attention to what they think.
Mark,
I agree and I thank you for writing this advice to The President's Team.
"Yes, because the only way to deter or slow bullies is to stand up to them."
chiryou,
Re: "You make the assumption that FNC is an arm of the GOP with no proof."
I want you to consider the guidance that Jesus of Nazareth gave his disciples; "Do not you judge a tree by it's fruit?"
Gratefully,
Coil
You only need to sit and listen to fox news for a bit, to realize they are pushing the GOP adjenda. And are very anti Obama. More over, anti american. Wanting our government to fail is disgusting.
I'm ok with others having a different opinion. But don't push lies or half truths as news. And fox news should stick with REPORTING the news...not by trying to make it. Birthers, teabaggers, ect.
Rupert Murdoch is a rasist and is anti american.
I'm a registered independent.
Thank you Mark Green! Conventional wisdom in the mainstream press is usually wrong--the build up to the Iraq war is a good example.
Does Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly inflame for the game or the fame? The Fox pundits mesmerize and proselytize and purport talking points for unthinking conservatives, and entertainment for thinking liberals. The problem is how to get thinking conservatives to counteract the damage they do to both left and right, and to educate the unthinking liberals and conservatives who too often respond with hate toward one another. Perhaps, all sides should just "take time to sift the dung" as explained in more detail here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spKr46-KPC0
What a stupid article. You make the assumption that FNC is an arm of the GOP with no proof. Anyone with conservative views is now automatically associated with the GOP? Then you try to claim that MSNBC isn't biased in their news coverage. I view both networks daily and this article is dishonest.
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