Faux News

[la_belle_laide]

I very much apologize for double-posting today.I hope I'm not being an LJ pest to my f-list. But this doesn't belong with my last post, and I still wanted to post it because it's important and I know a few of you on my F-list are interested in knowing things like this. Probably most of you, actually.

The attorneys for Fox, owned by media baron Rupert Murdock, successfully argued the First Amendment gives broadcasters the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on the public airwaves.

In its six-page written decision, the Court of Appeals held that the Federal Communications Commission position against news distortion is only a "policy," not a promulgated law, rule, or regulation. Fox aired a report after the ruling saying it was "totally vindicated" by the verdict.


What the HELL? It's "only a policy?" Oh, well I guess that makes it all right then. I want to spit in Bill O'Reilly's eye (actually I would love to do much more than that, involving a fishbat,) but hey, that's just my "policy."

Comments

[arianadream.livejournal.com]

My contempt for Fox News only grows. I didn't even know that was possible.

I just saw a video interview between some Fox News anchors and Dennis Kucinich, about the Iran issue. A Fox News guy actually claimed that the Iranians WANT help from the west because they are holding signs that say "Where is my vote?" in English.

The stupidity, the arrogance, the presumption, to assume that MUST be why! The man has no clue that English is widely used in Iran!

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

Well that's the typical chest-beating American Superhero mindset. Nothing can EVER be right until America MAKES it right.

[bashou.livejournal.com]

FCC needs to fix up a rule, methinks.

At first I was a bit surprised that Fox would have the gall to argue that point, but then I realized that we have a proud history of "yellow journalism" here in the US.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised, because when it comes to the Fox news channel, there is no low to which they won't eventually sink.

[lehorin.livejournal.com]

As someone just finished with a course on information and media law my soul cringes in horror at this news.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

That must give it a whole different angle to you.

I'm honestly not surprised. In America, we've been so overrun with right-wing pundits and they seem to have so much power. What's more, many people don't actually want the truth. This is how a sttion like Fox News gets away with all of this.

[lehorin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it kind of does. I know that British laws are pretty old fashioned and tilted heavily towards those with money but there are offices like the Information Commissioner and Ofcom to stop reporters saying "Guess what, stupid people! We're going to feed you lies and you are going to be our bitches and eat it up! Because it's the LAW!"

It's a little different for the newspapers, but that's why I don't read them.

Wow, hello ranting! Guess I was little more worked up about this than I thought.

[emzebel.livejournal.com]

*headdesk*

I...wha...sputter.

Seriously, I cannot even begin to articulate all of the reasons why that is appalling, from both a legal and journalism ethics perspective.

So, instead, I'll just note that it could be considered a positive that Fox has openly declared that it is no longer a news network.

I know there must be some silver lining this cloud. Oh wait, that's lead.

[la-belle-laide.livejournal.com]

My Mom said something similar; that Fox was really more like editorials and opinions and not such a "news" source. However, in that case they look like an even bigger bunch of tools than they are, calling themselves "fair and balanced." Sure, they are "fair and balanced," if you are a right wingtard.

I think they should at least have a disclaimer. "Everything you are about to see and hear is pulled out of asses."

Even if they did though, the right wingtards would sill sing the praises of Truth, Justice, Balance, etc. until I vomit down the front of their pants.