Tax Day Tea Parties: CNN, MSNBC Call Out Fox News For Promoting Protests (VIDEO)

Cable news networks CNN and MSNBC are calling out their competitor, Fox News, by raising questions Monday about the propriety of Fox's highly promotional coverage of the burgeoning tax day tea party movement.

In a package that aired on the "Situation Room" Monday, media critic Howard Kurtz said Fox seemed to be a "co-sponsor" of tea parties. Kurtz closed by saying "the question is whether Rupert Murdoch's network wants to be so closely identified with what has become an anti-Obama protest movement."

Fox had a ready answer Monday afternoon from Neil Cavuto's fill-in host, Stuart Varney, who ended an interview with a guest by saying, "It's now my great duty to promote the tea parties. Here we go!"

On MSNBC, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews was flabbergasted by a Fox tea party promotion promising "fair and balanced" coverage of the events.

"You know, I got to believe that Roger has the biggest tongue in his cheek when he does these ads. 'We report. You decide.' Balanced coverage of an anti-government rally. Balanced coverage of that. It's amazing."

Kurtz and Matthews also questioned whether the tea party movement has true grassroots or just astroturf. Kurtz subtly jabbed the notion that the tea parties are a bottom-up campaign, noting that conservative celebrities like Michelle Malkin and Newt Gingrich are "among those backing what's being billed as a grassroots movement."

Mathews was a bit more caustic, asking a guest whether he was "personally angry that Newt Gingrich is hijacking a populous crusade."

"How much of this is real people," Matthews asked, "and how much of it is good old partisan politics?"

Watch the Kurtz piece:

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Comments

[Gizmo1125]

And that CNN lady who said these are anti-CNN protesters. PLEASE....­....... Just makes CNN look like they are so full of themselves, because I did not see one protester on the screen holding up a anti-CNN sign or anybody protesting CNN. They were protesting goverment, mainly congress for spending, bailouts, pork, earmarks, taxes, & not listening to the American people. The polls showed that the majority did not want the bailouts & congress told us basically the world would end & went ahead and did it anyway. And one final thought...­......... I was really happy about my extra little 13 dollars a week that I was getting on my paycheck, until I learn of these little hidden consumer taxes like cigarette tax, energy tax, stoplight tax, & increases from my bank for services & higher interests on my credit card to help them pay back the tarp funds (which is my tax dollars). So they giveth me 13 dollars in one hand & take it right back with the other hand.

[Gizmo1125]

CNN & MSNBC did not do themselves any favors by berating & insulting American voters & viewers. It only makes them more angry and makes others want to get out & protest. I found it so disgusting that I changed the channel to Fox News. It really made me angry watching the media berating & insulting average Americans, especially ones who were holding babies. If they keep it up they are going to lose even more viewers.

[boz561]

I wonder if Fox News can do this with the pirates? Come on Fox, save our world!

[Angmorg]

Very simple solution to this prejudice of FOX.

Stop watching anything Fox shows.

I stopped watching the local Fox news in the morning.

Once in a while a ballgame is on.

They will feel the pressure

[Dem4Change]

Repubs are so fun to watch when they are out of power. Their antics are hilarious. It's only when they control things that they are truly dangerous. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the circus side show.

[rejoyce5]

You think CNN and Msnbc don't push there own agendas??? So what if Fox is covering it. People are mad at the amount of money being spent in the stimulus. Its time politicians cut spending in government.

[Maria Alvarellos]

No authoritative news source should be pushing an agenda however the if the analogy between newspapers is permitted it is obvious that this is nothing new. The thing that bothers me about FOX is that their shows run less on news and facts and more on opinions presented as facts without facts to back them up. I don't watch Keith Olberman but I've seen enough of both he and Glen Beck to know that comparisons are unjustified. Not so with any FOX news "analysts" I've ever seen. Hannity brings on Bachman who says that Obama wants to brainwash children in secret camps. What kind of lunatic would allow that as a statement of fact to go on the air?? This is libel. They do not report news, they create it. They are promoting the "tea bag" protests. There's a coflict of interest if I ever saw it.
I don't like CNN but at least you have journalistic shows with Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, and a mummified Larry King. Who are the big guns at FOX? Hannity, Beck, Cavuto, O'Reilly? Really? Come on, be honest with yourself. No secret that these guys adored W but how often have we heard any of them openly criticizing him for the things that they criticize Obama for now? Authorizing warentless wiretaps? Secret prisons outside the country? Massive budget deficits? And Obama is the fascist? Yeah, right.

[Jennifer Flippen]

So... according to CNN, you have to be a conservative, a Republican, and have only recently learned your way around the internet to support or participate in a TEA Party.

Does this mean all liberals are solidly behind donating their tax dollars for bailouts of greedy corporations, and supporting the biggest proposed tax increase in over 50 years?

I beg to differ. I live in Santa Cruz, CA (a proud bastion of liberalism), and am seeing a phenomenal grassroots movement to think local, buy local, barter, grow your own food, disassociate from big corporate America, pay off debt and save cash, get back to basics, support your neighbors, charity beginning at home and to your neighbors, and limiting government access in your life.

I am very involved in the local business community and social community. These sentiments are being echoed across party lines - consistently.

CNN: Wake Up. Smell the... government rot and the national disaffection with government spending and taxation.

Talk about the GOOD news for once: the American people who are waking up and taking their future into their own hands, supporting their local communities and not waiting for a government bailout. No more Sheeple.

Now THAT's a stimulus plan I can get behind.

[boz561]

So, what took you soooooo long? No grass, just bush?

[lagumbo]

Fixen Noise[Fox], and the rightwingnuts, along with the WARLORD OF THE AIRWAVES[Limbaugh], and his Mullars, beck, hannity, van sustern, malkin, o'reilly,c­outergeist­, and the rest of the terriosts of Fixed Noise[fox], will have this to backfire in their faces. But they will still proclaim there we hundreds of thousands of protesters. They will only show shots of the crows that could be made to look like a lot.
This is the republican base protesting and don't let them fool you america. They are all so angry because they lost. and a blackman won, a blackman who knows what to do to get this country back on track. The republicans have lost their power and they are desperate, whinning, cry babies. I love it.ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[garymc8]

I guess the gop all think they are going to make over $250,000.0­0 this year when they buy that "Plumbing company". Its a huge jump to get from $35,000.00 a year to $250,000.0­0, after taxes, you're going to miss the opportunity to pick up chicks at your family reunions because you are going to be working 80-90 hours a week to steal that much, I mean earn that much. GOOD LUCK LIARS!

[oli33]

CNN and MSNBC have alot of nerve callingout Fox for promoting the Tea Parties considering they were nothing more than cheerleaders for Obama for the whole campaign. I am not a Republican either. Just someone who got disgusted with their biased reporting as if they are representing the Democratic Party. It isnt hard these days to watch these channels then cross check the info on the internet to see the misinformation going on with them. Their awful ratings speak for themselves.

[Angmorg]

That is a lame excuse---Well you do have Jos or sam the Fake Plumber so that makes sense.

Anti- Gay Anti-abortion.
What are you people for.

The only thing youare for is Anti-anything

[NKR]

You're disgusted by biased media and have chosen to watch Fox? If you don't like biased media, all three news networks should be ruled out.

[Phxflyer]

From the AP:

"The tea parties have been promoted by FreedomWorks, a conservative nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington and led by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas. The group's federal tax returns show it has both educational and charitable arms, which together received more than $6 million in donations in 2007, the most recent year for which returns are available.

The group is not required by law to disclose its donors. FreedomWorks spokesman Adam Brandon did not immediately return calls seeking comment about the group's financial backers.

Armey, who the tax returns show was paid $400,000 by FreedomWorks in 2007, also is registered as a lobbyist for the firm DLA Piper, and has listed corporate clients there including Verizon, Raytheon, liquor maker Diageo, CarMax and drug company Sanofi Pasteur."

So much for the "grassroots movement" lie.

[Nova16]

Faux "news" is in a state of euphoria over the right wing "tea party" fiasco they have been planning the past several weeks. It is not difficult to determine that it is not so much "reporting" as it is "supporting" their purpose to incite anarchy. One individual is calling it a "grassroots" movement when in actuality it is Faux "news" and the republican party using wornout ideology. distortion of facts to cloud the minds of their followers, and angry rhetoric to stir them to action. It is a sad day when those who have caused this nation the misery we live with today, are attempting to gain power and control with lies and deceit. The majority of Americans are not to be "fooled" again by republican deception.

[gwhizz]

Because nothing adds credibility to an event than inviting (not) Joe the (not a) Plumber.

[AngelaQuattrano]

"Practically" seems to be a "co"-sponsor? Let me fix that.

"By all appearances is A sponsor or THE sponsor."

Also... "We report. You decide." should be "We stage the event. We report. You decide."

[rsprags]

This is the best thing you could have said, you need to send this to MSNBC and CNN. Fixed News motto is "We stage the event. We report. You decide."

Perfect observation! I know this i going to backfire on them. Is this not crossing some type of FCC rules concerning conduct in reporting the news. How can they call themselves cable new when they operate as a continuous commentary on the news and trying to shape opinions and created the news. Hopefully they will go too far even for the repurgs folks that support them.

[qed123456]

BREAKING NEWS………. April 15, 2009. “Proof that Fox News Sponsors Tea Party” It is Tax Day and random, grassroots Tea Party protests have erupted in the streets of major cities and towns. The protesters are accompanied by a vigilant group of Fox News loyalists. These vigilantes want to make sure Fox News gets credit where credit is due, so they have joined the protest with large, unadulterated Fox News signs and banners. They make sure the signs are not defaced because they are Fox loyalists and would never want to allow Fox to disown them as part of the “Looney Left.” Because Fox is a sponsor, the loyalist make sure to be scattered in the crowds and in front of all TV cameras. So all you vigilantes that believe the Tea Party is a Fox News fabrication, join me in giving Fox the credit they deserve.
by G.W.

[unity08]

The BEST was David Schuster last night filling in for Keith on "Countdown". He kept referring to; nuts, full throated endorsement, tight lipped, and said, if you are going to have a teabagger revolution, you have to have a Dick Armey.
This went on for a good five minutes. Hilarious!

[stella801]

It was brilliant! I'm sure it is on you tube for those of you who missed. It is worth a look.

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

YOu mean the one entitled GOP Lip Service? I saw that and almost feel off the chair at what all he was getting away with...lol

[rejoyce5]

Juvenile and disgusting more like it.

[Joyomama]

The MSM needs to cover the real news behind this story: the conservative billionaires funding this "grassroots" movement, the fact that the domain was registered last summer, not "inspired" by Santellli and the complicity of Fox News in this anti-government uprising. As Kurtz points (proudly????) this was the first time CNN reported on it. If there is a well-organized, well-financed movement trying to violently overthrow our duly elected government, I would hope the media would blow the whistle on it. We really don't need a nationwide repeat of Oklahoma City, do we?

[rejoyce5]

And Soros never funded liberal causes?? Wake up.