Chris Wallace Asked To Distance Himself From Fox News Tea Party Promotion

Media watchdog organization Media Matters For America will be sending a letter Tuesday to Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace, imploring him to "to publicly address recent actions by Fox News personalities that unambiguously cross the line separating news and legitimate commentary from political activism and demagoguery."

As one of Fox News' most visible hosts, you have repeatedly characterized your network as "fair and balanced" and as one that should be taken seriously. However, a series of recent events -- referenced below -- undermine the argument that Fox News should be treated as a credible "fair and balanced" news outlet.

You have criticized your Fox News colleagues in the past when they have undermined your network's credibility. In March 2008, when you confronted the Fox & Friends hosts for distorting then-Senator Obama's words during what you described as "two hours of Obama bashing," you said that "one of the things that's great about Fox News is that we don't all follow talking points and we disagree about things." Following that incident, you said that "we really are, despite the sniffing or dismissals of our liberal critics, 'fair and balanced' at Fox News" and added that your news network does not "espouse" a "conservative point of view."

One of the key issues for Media Matters appears to be the increasingly bizarre antics of Glenn Beck, who recently broadcast a bizarre bit of performance art in which he imitated Barack Obama pouring gasoline on an "average American," and whose guests have taken to just passing out on the air at the sight of the host. There would be precedent for Wallace to follow here, as well-known Fox newscaster Shepard Smith has already, famously, mocked Beck on the air.

The other issue for MMFA is Fox's visible support for the corporate lobbyist funded faux-populist "tea parties." As MMFA points out, Fox hasn't hidden their co-branding, describing the events on-air as "FNC TAX DAY TEA PARTIES," as well as offering bandwidth for "virtual tea parties," a move that doesn't jibe with their continual insistence that the network is covering these events as they would any protest.

The letter concludes: "We trust that you are concerned about the effect of these actions on your network's reputation and that of everyone associated with it and urge you to denounce them as inappropriate for a news organization."

[FULL TEXT OF LETTER]

Dear Mr. Wallace:

We are writing to respectfully ask you to publicly address recent actions by Fox News personalities that unambiguously cross the line separating news and legitimate commentary from political activism and demagoguery.

As one of Fox News' most visible hosts, you have repeatedly characterized your network as "fair and balanced" and as one that should be taken seriously. However, a series of recent events -- referenced below -- undermine the argument that Fox News should be treated as a credible "fair and balanced" news outlet.

Story continues below

You have criticized your Fox News colleagues in the past when they have undermined your network's credibility. In March 2008, when you confronted the Fox & Friends hosts for distorting then-Senator Obama's words during what you described as "two hours of Obama bashing," you said that "one of the things that's great about Fox News is that we don't all follow talking points and we disagree about things." Following that incident, you said that "we really are, despite the sniffing or dismissals of our liberal critics, 'fair and balanced' at Fox News" and added that your news network does not "espouse" a "conservative point of view."

Since launching his Fox News show, Glenn Beck, who has emerged as a prominent player in your network's lineup of weekday programs, has engaged in increasingly outrageous, demagogic, and conspiratorial rhetoric. His recent actions include the following:

* Imitating President Obama pouring gasoline onto the "average American": On April 9, Beck responded to, among other things, reports that Obama will pursue immigration reform by imitating Obama pouring gasoline onto the "average American." After lighting and extinguishing a match, Beck asked: "President Obama, why don't you just set us on fire?" Beck remarked that "[w]e didn't vote to lose the republic" and later added: "We'd like to have a country left in the end of four years. No need to set us on fire."

* Mocking Obama's aunt's "limp": On April 2, Beck -- using a cane as a prop -- devoted large portions of a segment to mocking Obama's aunt's "limp."

* Portraying Obama and Democrats as "vampires": On March 30, Beck portrayed Obama and Democrats as "vampires" "going after the blood of our businesses" and suggested "driv[ing] a stake through the heart of the bloodsuckers."

Beck's outrageous and distasteful actions laced with anti-Obama political demagoguery have not occurred in a vacuum. In recent weeks, Fox News has engaged in anti-Obama political activism by aggressively promoting the "tea party" protests, which the network has described as primarily a response to Obama's fiscal policies. Fox News has repeatedly aired graphics describing the protests as "FNC TAX DAY TEA PARTIES" and has run advertisements promoting them.

Fox News websites have listed information about upcoming tea parties and have touted them with slogans like "No Taxation Without Representation!" Fox News' purportedly objective daytime news shows have also engaged in this behavior, with America's Newsroom going so far as to air graphics touting the date, time, location, and website of specific tea parties. On April 13, host Bill Hemmer said: "Can't get to a tea party? Fox Nation hosts a virtual tea party."

We trust that you are concerned about the effect of these actions on your network's reputation and that of everyone associated with it and urge you to denounce them as inappropriate for a news organization.

Sincerely,

Eric Burns

President, Media Matters for America

[Would you like to follow me on Twitter? Because why not? Also, please send tips to [e-mail] -- learn more about our media monitoring project here.]

Comments

[IllinoisGOP]

Apparently Media Matters tried to send a similar letter about Olbermann to MSNBC but were unable to find a commentator that even tries to be "fair and balanced". Beck is goofy, but I'm not sure calling Democrats vampires rises to some unheard of alarming level of political discourse (again Exhibit A being Olbermann). Beck's mistake is he didn't widen the vampire club to include all politicians since profligate spending is truly bipartisan.

[Kiabell04]

I dont understand why Republican complain about the media having an opinion, yet they think it's perfectly fine to promote anti-Obama rallies. Hypocritical much?

[KMSL]

It was not an anti-Obama rally. The tea parties were to show people's outrage with the trillion dollars that is being sold as an attempt to "stimulate" the economy, but the truth of the matter is that much of the $ is not being spent in a fiscally responsible way. It was passed by those on BOTH sides of the aisle. People are sick of congress and how they justify the wasteful spending. And the next few generations will be footing the bill...

There were not only Republicans at those rallies. My husband was at the one in Boston- different party affiliations, different races, different socio-economic classes, all ages... Perhaps it might be a good idea to get the facts before being so quick to judge.

[PassingShot]

Why didn't they have this party during the deficit spending in the past eight years?

[missette]

I think you were misled. I've seen the photos from the Boston rally. One or two in the twenties, maybe one Black, and rest were while middle aged and old.

[Wiseup2Day]

Media Matters? Do they send letters out to the other media..for their ridiculous love fest of the Obamas? and how about when they were reporting that Sarah Palin's son Trig was actually her daughter Bristol's..I doubt it..Media Matters..only matters when it fits their extreme left-wing agenda..no credibility..and a jike of an article.

[missette]

"Love Fest"??? As in Rev. Wright, as in "Obama's arrogant," as in "Is he a socialist" (yes, all media need a little brushup on history and the definition of words), etc. But I suspect what you are referring to are reports that President Obama is self-made, was president of the Harvard Law Review, attracted millions to his rallies throughout the country without any corporate branding, has high numbers among independents, holds a 66 percent approval rating, almost wholly refrained from personal attacks in his speeches, never had crowds of up to 100,000 get ugly and call for violence on his opponents, and is popular among a cross section of Americans - women, young people, old people, minorities, based on voting percentages. But the problem is, all that is true, and that is why the right wing and Repubs are so upset. They can try to distort, but the truth always prevails.

[eandd]

"President Obama is self-made" Are you kidding me? Do yourself a favor and REALLY investigate and study his past. Also, it is not just right wing and Repubs who are upset. You must study other real news outlets; you will find out that the "upset" people are Democrats, Republicans, a "cross section of Americans - women, young people, old people, minorities "of ALL parties.. You are correct in one aspect.....the truth DOES always prevail.

[KMSL]

And as for Republicans Obama bashing, many of us are taking the high road and giving him the opportunity to see what he can do. We continue to take the high road and not do the classless demeaning and character assaults that many "left loons" do. I find it quite funny that fair and balanced is the catch phrase at many colleges and by the "well-educated". I live half way between Brown and Harvard and frequent the colleges for my son's lacrosse games and there definitely are MANY more fiscally and somewhat more socially conservatives than the liberals would ever want people to know...

[libkiller30]

i have alot of conservative friends and believe me if bush could get re elected among all the dirt from the left there has to be alot of conservatives out there it is just a matter of getting us to vote for someone we can believe in. ~missing reagan~

[KMSL]

And I challenge ANYONE to show any conservatives or Repulicans on blogs spreading the absolute venom and hate that liberals or Democrats do-during Bush's presidency it was absolutely appalling. I choose not to stoop to that level and although my husband is always up for a good debate with people who hold different views than him, he uses restraint and never launches personal attacks. Not all Republicans are completely ideolouges who refuse to listen to another opinion. My husband and I both believe in Gay/Lesbian rights-not marriage- but all other legal laws that would allow partners to have all the same rights that a married couple would have. My cousin who is a lesbian and I discuss this often-I would like marriage to remain, in most states, for a man and a woman-and we respect each others opinion and agree to disagree. I belong to and consistently send money for many environmental charities, I do not under ANY circumstances want drilling in ANWAR. I would sooner pay $10.00 a gallon for gas than have that pristine area be upset. I belong to Save Darfur-and have sent letters to Senators regarding the atrocities in Sudan.

[KMSL]

Are you guys serious?? Eric Burns of Media Matters -the same Eric Burns who was FIRED from Fox last year-can you say bitter? Thank God for Fox, at least there we can get some balance-if we just watched CNN, NBC, MSNBC (Chris Matthews-pathetic), ABC, even CBS we would all be so uninformed... I live in Massachusetts, I am a well educated, Irish Catholic (very good looking) woman married to an Asian man. We both are Republicans and are very proud and even in a liberal state, we are very outspoken about our views and find it odd that most Democrats we are in the company of are really not well-versed in the views that make them liberal?? "It's not that they are ignorant, it's just that so much of what they know just isn't so".

Chris Wallace is a good guy-and not horrible looking as the unflattering picture posted would have some believe, just a coincidence I suppose...

[Puller58]

Kind of sad to see Mike's son reduced to appearing on this infotainment network.

[Wiseup2Day]

Sorry..it's backwards..infotainment is what you find on MSNBC, CNN and NBC..if they cover one more story about "BO" the dog..now that's infotainment.."BO" Barrack Obama?

[ndolomar]

Kudos to those of you trying to talk some reason into pro-Tea baggers, but you're wasting your time. These people are set on remaining uneducated pawns of corporations, so -- bless your hearts for trying -- they're only going to deliver talking points when you poke holes in their logic. And when their talking points run out, they drop the thread and start a new one (or comment). It's easy to see how Hitler was able to manipulate so many people into behaving so atrociously toward fellow citizens -- all you need to do is lie enough. It doesn't matter that these protesters' federal taxes went down. Some of them aren't even protesting taxes or know what the original Boston Tea Party was about. They're just mad, and some very rich people are taking advantage of it by telling them to channel their anger toward Obama, who has nothing to do with why they're broke now. They can't bear to blame Bush, because they voted for him and that would make them look "stupider." Instead, they blame the new guy -- it's easier and more absolving.

[libkiller30]

actually alot of conservatives do blame bush for what he did near the end of his term and not all of us
want a cradle to the grave government. i notice alot of libs really just can't stand when people disagree
with them. It drives them nuts. if i don't think like you i must be crazy or stupid. i think people are mad
at the whole government not just the golden child obama... it is all of the politicians fault that we are here dems and republicans. if you want to think someone is crazy think about if you had a family and you owed a 80k mortage and you lost your job and couldn't make the payments, would you go out and spend more money to fix the problem. you guys must see that this isn't possible, it doesn't work. just like obama compared the U.S.A. to spain that isn't a good thing. spain has 14.5% unemployment and the poorest of us live better than the most in the socialist world.

[ndolomar]

I don't know why you're following me, Lib, but as long as you regurgitate talking points you hear on Fox, Limbaugh, Hannity, et. al, then you're never going to get the point. Plus, for being a "LibKiller," you may want to ask yourself why you're spending time on a progressive site... But, by all means, keep proving my point with your ill-informed replies.

[PassingShot]

The right wing extremists have found out that they can be financially successful airing their extremist views. Beck is just trying to climb onto the bandwagon. Outrageous views and behavior, Obama bashing, media attention and notoriety are the ingredients for success. All done with the disguise of wrapping themselves with an American flag.

[Growup22]

The disclaimer states, Faux News for entertainment purposes only. Any content remotely resembling news should be taken with a grain of salt. We aim to entertain, demean and confuse. If you feel we are not "performing" our duties, continue watching Glenn Beck will cry louder and longer. If the audience accepts us as a news station you have passed the IQ test, score, below average.

[libkiller30]

NBC CBS CNN MSNBC all bought and paid for by the dems. it might just look like fox is bias because it isnt the same mindless dribble that you are fed by the facist propaganda machine of the democrat party. have a nice day :)

[Growup22]

I don't watch any of the channel's you have listed. I take what's called a worldview. Check out BBC that's how news is done. Facts not opinions. If I wanted someone to tell me how to think, I'd watch what you watch. Your screen name says it all. Identifying with a party Liberal or Conservative is a sure fire way to become a zombie. Take the time to read and create your own opinions. If you'rejust a mouthpiece for the opinions of others, what's the use. Being a sheep is not enough, engage and look up the definition of facist you may think twice before using it. God bless you.

[donniebnyc]

Nothing Chris Wallace does can salvage the reputation of Fox News. This tea party thing is just the latest attempt by Fox to save the repubs from themselves.

It reeks of desperation and is actually rather pathetic.

[obamagal]

Keith Olbermann made a very cogent comment yesterday (I think it was Keith). The gist of it was 'don't kid yourself, Fox/Roger Ailes may be doing this in an effort to help the GOP but the main reason they are doing so is for ratings.'

It's a two-fer.

[lagumbo]

Fixed Noise[Fox] and the republicans really knows how to use their uneducated base. They keep them uneducated and poor, but have to trot out their and protest for tax cuts for the rich. These poor uneducated slobs just don't have the education or the brains to see that they again are being used. Heaven helps them.

[garymc8]

GOOGLE has a map of the teabagging sites. If this were not about Obama being Black why are there 10 times as many in the deep racist south? Heaviest concentration in the "Slavery States". The gop lost because Americans finally understood their politics of race and were not duped. The stupidest in our country are still being duped by the rich white pig, who has them all making fools of themselves for the corporate ponzi schemers. The hypochristians are the most gullible people on the earth.

[wingnutslayer]

The hard right wing audience for FOX is hidebound in their belief that they are the only true American patriots, the only Americans with any morals, and the only ones with the correct solutions as to how America should be run. Anyone not with the program is treasonous, end of story. Simple disagreement doesn't enter into it. But there is hope for the future. In my little rural town the majority of FOXheads are old, very old, and their ideas go back 30, 40, 50 years. The younger ones watch FOX from their perch at the local bar, where they talk to the tv and don't vote because if you register to vote in my state you are liable to be asked to serve jury duty. I kid you not, that's their reasoning, fine citizens. The scary part is they talk about guns and revolution over taxes and equate that with some twisted idea of what the Founding Fathers intended America to be, as if Washington, Jefferson, et al would want everyone to have access to assault weapons. What they really want is nihilism, nothing.

[obamagal]

Wow..... that's scary sad.

[Json]

So the idea is to shame FOX news into being an actual journalistic entity rather than an arm of the RNC?? LOL. Good luck with that