FoxNews wouldn't pass the CBS ethical test for journalism..

[The Backlash Cometh]

This looks like a good opportunity to blast the cable networks to ask why FoxNew's journalist standards are lower than CBS's:

Two ex-Foxnews journalist have filed a complaint to the FCC claiming that FoxNews should be investigated and their license should not be renewed because Fox News pressured them to broadcast "false and distorted news" and is not acting in the public interest and "lacks the good character to do so."

"The challenge stems from what the reporters say was a year-long experience inside the station, where they resisted Fox managers who repeatedly ordered them to distort a series of news reports about the secret use of an artificial hormone injected in dairy cattle throughout Florida and beyond." See Footnote 1.

The two journalists originally filed in civil court asking for Whistle Blower protection under Florida law when they were fired by Fox News. They prevailed at the trial level, but FoxNews appealed and the decision of the lower court was overturned:

"The <Appeal> Court held that Akre’s threat to report the station’s actions to the FCC did not deserve protection under Florida’s whistle blower statute, because Florida’s whistle blower law states that an employer must violate an adopted “law, rule, or regulation." In a stunningly narrow interpretation of FCC rules, the Florida Appeals court claimed that the FCC policy against falsification of the news does not rise to the level of a "law, rule, or regulation," it was simply a "policy." Therefore, it is up to the station whether or not it wants to report honestly." <emphasis added> See Footnote 2.

E-mail blasting opportunity:

The implication of the appeal court's decison is what is the issue of this post. At the risk of over-simplying, they're stating that FoxNews has a First Amendment right to intentionally lie to the public. If that is the case, then the question is, why are FoxNew's media standards so much lower than CBS's? Why didn't FoxNews fire the station managers who were responsible for broadcasting false news to the public, the way that CBS fired their executive producer and others over the Dan Rather Memogate which involved, not a lie, but a memo that was not properly authenticated?

So what does everybody think about blasting the cable networks and asking them to explain the reason for the discrepency? Whoever has a handy list of e-mail addresses of the media who might actually follow through with our e-mail questions, please be kind to post them?


Footnote 1: http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewMediaFile5.cfm?REF=4

Footnote 2: http://www.projectcensored.org/publications/2005/11.html

[burythehatchet]

1. no dice

cable = lalaland
broadcast = regulated

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to bring out that difference.

Let the public know that what you hear on CBS will be more true to the facts than what you hear at FoxNews.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. If they don't wish to report 'honestly'

then at the least they shouldn't be allowed to call themselves news programs and/or journalists. FAUX doesn't bring you the news, they bring you the government sanctioned fantasy for the day.

There are professional rules and standards that apply to news reporting. If you do not follow these rules and standard, then what you are end up with has little to do with real news and shouldn't be called news.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. No argument here. But, we're preaching to the choir.

Why don't we put this issue up to the Olbermans, Dodds, Zahns & Blitzers? I realize they're also on cable, but isn't it time to let the public really see the difference between Cereal box 1 and Cereal box 2?

[kweerwolf]

5. But look on the flip side

Faux News passed the Joseph Goebbels' "So You Want to be a Propaganda Minister" correspondence course with flying colors.

[Dr Ron]

6. Huge differnce between CBS and Fox

CBS attempts to provide objective journalism. Sometimes they make mistakes.

Fox was started to promote a certain viewpoint and makes no attempts at providing objective journalism. They sometimes even admit they are not objective, saying that Fair and Balanced is an alternative to objectivity, claiming to be providing opposing viewpoints and letting the viewer decide. Of course they only provide token examples of opposing viewpoints, generally having them shouted down by hosts who represent a single viewpoint.

It would be valuable overtime to blast biased sources such as Fox. If people want ot watch, that is their right. The goal is to make people who do watch realize that they are not receiving objecti ve or balanced news, and that their coverage of the Bush admnistration is more like watching Pravda than a real news source like CBS.