(This is a response I have to do for my class and post on my blog, pay no attention)
“Fair and balanced”. This was the journalistic promise made by Rupert Murdoch and his Fox News Network when it was released to the public airwaves on October 7th 1996. Today, the Fox News Corporation and its staff could not have drifted farther from their promise. As outlined in Robert Greenwald’s documentary “Outfoxed”, a meticulously researched and precise account of how over the last thirteen years, Rupert Murdoch has transformed Fox News from a non-partisan news outlet, to an arm of the Republican party; a tool used to further the movements, causes, and ideas of the politicians that Murdoch and his associates choose to support. We have learned that effective journalism is built upon a foundation of certain fundamental rules and traditions. Consider the Six Canons of Journalism; Responsibility, Freedom of the Press, Independence, Truth and Accuracy, Impartiality and Fair Play. Greenwald provides multiple examples of how Fox News and its reporters have violated each one of these components, and not in a discrete way. One of the most poignant examples of this slanted “journalism” is Fox’s coverage of the United States’ 43rd president, George W. Bush. With other networks like CNN providing at least an attempt at showcasing both sides of the 2000 and 2004 elections, Fox refused to waver. Reporting and investigation was heavily conservative biased, facts were skewed and distorted, beliefs were attacked, and anyone with a dissenting voice was silenced. I have known for some time that Fox news is not the most reliable source for non-biased news, but I never knew quite the extent to which they flaunt their views, and I emphasize flaunt. Most telling was Sean Hannity’s quote “soon to be president George Bush..” stated on air, well before the election was over. It seems as though they make no attempt to hide their tactics. Fox News does what Fox News wants, and if you don't like it, you can change the channel.
HATE - Having to Post My Responses In My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment