CNN v Fox News

Kum Ba Yah, Michael.Kum Ba Yah, Michael.

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Returning to "CNN v Fox"...this is merely speculation and only can be unless the about-to-burn-Korans pastor in Florida announces that what he thought was God telling him to do this was only his subconscious from watching Fox and listening to Limbaugh. So, if you were to guess, which of the two channels do you think the pastor gets his news from, CNN or Fox?

Remember the guy that shot up a church in Knoxville, TN a few years ago, the guy who said "that he was motivated by hatred of Democrats, liberals, African Americans and homosexuals", the guy who had the "following books in his home during a police search: Liberalism is a Mental Disorder by Michael Savage, Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism by Sean Hannity, The O'Reilly Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous in American Life by Bill O'Reilly? Where do you think he got his news from?

What about the Michigan militia group that was plotting to kill police officers, if you were to guess, which of the two channels do you think they got their news from?

What about Richard Poplawski, the cop shooter in Pittsburgh, Byron Williams, the guy in the Bay Area, and on and on?

The point, of course, is that differing political views via news is one thing but irresponsible advocacy is certainly another. Does anyone possibly think that these people would have been spurred to action if not for someone getting them riled up, likely Fox commentators and/or Limbaugh. It's unfortunate and really alarming.

The speculative nature, inflammatory tone, and acerbity of your posts reminds me of....Fox News.

However, while your delivery makes me feel like kind of a jerk for doing so, I think I essentially agree with the essence of what you're saying, for the most part. .

I found this thread fascinating, so much that it inspired me to watch "Outfoxed: Murdoch's War on Journalism". Well worth my attention.

A documentary well worth anyone's time. Everyone should watch this before buying into Fox's "fair and balanced" propaganda.

I’ve been waiting to weigh in on this until I had the time to properly address the topic. I don’t know if I have that time, but I will give it a shot. To the point, after this thread began, a petition was initiated by the folks at colorofchange.org. They are the organization that launched the successful boycott against advertisers on the Glenn Beck show after he said the Obama has "exposed himself as a guy" with "a deep-seated hatred for white people". If you have ever watched the show and were puzzled by the low profile advertisers, that is why (Over 80 advertisers requested to be pulled from the show).

The new petition reads as follows:

The petition we'll present to businesses (with fact sheets and other documents):
"I won't play Fox News in my home, and I'm calling on businesses and other public establishments to stop playing Fox. I don't want Fox spreading hate, lies, and division in my community, and I want to support businesses that are Fox-free"

Turn Off Fox Campaign

https://secure.colorofchange.org/turnofffox/sticker/

But is Fox different than other cable news outlets? In my opinion, it could only help if we got rid of all three cable news channels. The cable news shows operate under a economic constraint that forces them to be stimulating and/or entertaining. As one tea party promoter put it, we try to tap into and deliver the same emotions as road rage.

But, Fox is egregious, and I’m ready to have a substantive debate about that. Let me start with the following illustration:



This is Jacques Steinberg and Steven Reddicliffe. The two had written an article critical of Fox news. Their actual photos are on the left, and the doctored photos, shown in 2008 on Fox are on the right. According to Media Matters, the photos depict New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg with yellowed teeth, "his nose and chin widened, and his ears made to protrude further." The other image, of Times television editor Steven Reddicliffe, had similar yellow teeth, as well as "dark circles ... under his eyes, and his hairline has been moved back."

Doctoring the news . . . changing the new to fit a narrative Fox wants to promote is a different tactic not employed by the other cable news shows. It is different than an opinion show – It changes those stubborn facts.

One of the most capable public critics of fox’s making/changing the news is Jon Stewart. The following clip is from last night and show’s how heavily Sean Hannity edits a clip with the obvious intent of leading people to believe something that is not true:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions ... Video-4984

I wonder why people watch Fox knowing they are not getting accurate information. I suppose most don’t realize what Fox is doing. I know many older folks who aren’t used to the news being manipulated, buying into the misinformation. And, I guess many people just want to hear what supports their position.

The fourth column of American politics has crumbled. What will that mean for the future of the state?

Too late?

I wonder what news channel the Discovery Channel hostage taker watched? Or the unibomber? Or any of the eco-terrorists.

I think the entire premise is flawed.

Not to drag on, but this is relevant to the original question. I received it this morning from the Turn Off Fox effort.

Dear Matt,

Thanks for joining the Turn Off Fox effort. We're already off to a great start — you and more than 125,000 people are calling on public establishments to stop playing Fox News.

The next step is critical — we're trying to identify businesses and public places where Fox News is playing. Do you know of any? Just letting us know is a great first step. If you can explain to them why they should turn it off, even better.

Registering a business takes seconds, and we provide step-by-step instructions and a flyer you can print which makes the case against Fox, should you choose to talk with a business. Also, if you know of places that would want to declare themselves Fox Free zones, you can sign them up as well using the site. Just click on "Document Fox Free Zones" after you follow the link below.

Click here to get started:

http://www.turnofffox.org/tools/report/

We have a real opportunity to reduce Fox News’s ability to spread misinformation and stoke division in our communities. Identifying businesses and other public establishments that play Fox News on their televisions is the first step, and it’s critical to the overall effort. Please take a moment to let us know where you’ve seen Fox News playing on TVs in public places, or if there are places you know that would be willing to declare themselves Fox Free:

http://www.turnofffox.org/tools/report/

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Milton, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 15th, 2010