Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck Defend Fox News Against White House Criticism (VIDEO)

Fox News hosts Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck both defended their network tonight against White House criticism that the cable network is an outlet for GOP propaganda.

O'Reilly dismissed the criticism as unfounded and accused the Obama administration of viewing the situation through the prism of NBC and CNN, which he claims "clearly favored" Barack Obama over John McCain.

O'Reilly insisted that President Obama is treated fairly by Fox News even if it doesn't appear that way:

There's no question that Fox News is tougher on the Obama administration than the other TV operations because we actually have some conservative commentators on this network.

The watchdog group Media Matters disputes Fox News' claim to be 'fair and balanced.'

As for Beck, he announced that the White House is "more worried about the war on Fox than the actual war in Afghanistan," before pulling out some toys and attempting to mock the Obama administration.

WATCH:

Former "Special Report" host and current Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume also defended the network Monday night, appearing on "Special Report" to make a comment about the White House's war against Fox News.

"There's an old adage often attributed to Mark Twain that advises against picking fights with people who buy ink by the barrel," Hume said. "Most presidents refrain from directly attacking particular media outlets, perhaps with that adage in mind or perhaps mindful of another old saying that it's a bad idea to get into a public fight with someone smaller than you are, because it diminishes you and elevates your opponent."

WATCH:

Comments

[Harvee Wallbanger]

Here is a quote from Brit Hume that I think goes to the crux of the matter.

"If Fox News really were a GOP mouthpiece, the White-house would not be attacking it."

Very true. Why? Because if Fox News just came out and said up front that they are the mouthpiece of the GOP, then there would not be a problem. Instead, they falsely, deviously, and dishonestly masquarade as a news organization. That is the whole problem. All they have to do is admit it and tell there viewers.

I, personally, have heard Fox News repeated repeat the GOP talking points verbatim day in and day out as the gospel year after year after year. Their relationship to the GOP is crystal clear to me. I think it is also crystal clear to the majority of Democrats.

[Bcasey11]

god bless van jones for standing up for truth

[Libby48]

ROFLMAO...­.....gimme a break! Dude was exposed as a communist.­...there's the truth!!!

[DangerClose]

We keep calling Beck "crazy", meanwhile everything he touches yields results. ACORN, NEA, Van Jones, Anita Dunn and on and on ...... I think its time to take Beck seriously. I agree he's theatrical and over the top. However "crazy" he is not. Agree with him or not, he's doing damage.

[Libby48]

The truth will set you free....thank you Mr. Beck!!!!!

[humanity60]

Fox News is made up of mostly hatemongers. You lose all legitimacy with Beck's psychotic hysterical outbursts. If you are going brand yourself as the Fair and Balanced News, I suggest heavy doses of lithium. There is nothing wrong pointing out another view in politics but Fox abuses the right to free speech by exacerbating hate for ratings. You are not responsible journalist. Edward R Murrow would say, "Goodnight and Heavily Medicate."

[Libby48]

Edward R Murrow would say, "Goodnight and Heavily Medicate." Is that supposed to be funny?? You have no clue about Mr. Murrow. How is it that Fox News is made up of mostly hatemongers? Hate what? You and most of the forum members here equate passion with hate. Take a look at your own actions....you might see that your passion could be construed as hate also. Also, try and find a new liberal talking point...the word 'hate' is just a bit overused in your community.

[Bacygirl]

A new champion for FOX has joined this thread, reading through and asking many of you who have posted here to "prove" your remarks and observations about the network. It almost smacks of a FOX plant. But I love the many comebacks where you have confounded his attacks with the indisputable truth (which is not hard to find for those who seek it). Succinctly FOX SUCKS.

Read on "H". Better yet, why don't you find a home on a site where you'd be more comfortable with others of twisted logic.

[MissVirginiaVoter]

Fox has the nerve to have the word "News" on it's logo! Now that's hillarious! Beck is the same num nut that said FEMA is coming to get you and stick you in a concentration camp. I'm sure Jerry Springer must be pissed that he has to share his audience with Glen (the joke) Beck!

[FantasticFourFan]

I wonder how many of Kieth Olberman's audience shot up a church or a doctor? Oh, wait...NONE!

[jordan327]

That's because no one watches him!!

[JustFrogs]

In your haste to be pithy, did you even realize what you just said? Think about it for a minute.

[stefiz]

typically juvenile!! if no one watched why does Beck feel the need to talk about him?

[lafayette2009]

Nope - or course no-one watches KO. That is why he has been able to raise over $1 million from his audience to pay toward FREE health clinics.

Keith Olbermann may not be perfect and he does annoy me sometimes, especially with his world's worst person, but he is genuine about healthcare reform, is doing his bit as a talking head.

Given the loss of his mother this year and the illness of his father, I admire him for what he is doing. At least it is something POSITIVE and not all the paranoid negativity and domesday rhetoric we get from Beck, Hannity and Limbaugh.

[Probus]

Dunn was honest and right in pointing out that Fox News doesn't do news. They do propaganda for the RNC.

[Beachchick]

I highly recommend this piece by Eric Boehlert

http://www.alternet.org/media/143255/obama_vs._rupert_murdoch%3A_fox_news%27_blatant_transition_into_gop_tv

[itys]

Glenn Beck Installs "Hotline" Phone For White House To Call Him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i2kB8vHLUU

Will they Call??? Does they have the guts or are they afraid???

Are they Afraid of Glenn Beck???

hmmmmm. FEAR. Does the White House FEAR Glenn Beck???

You guys just can't stand the fact that you elected a pansy.
Your Boy CAN'T take criticism.
Your Boy Can't handle tough questions.
Your Boy is selling this country down river.

Your Boy feels the FEAR. Your Boy FEARS Fox News.

FEAR...

[conned]

You are somewhat wrong, but not entirely. Freedom of speech is one of our most cherished freedoms, and while the FOX may manipulate and mislead the public, it is the public's responsibility to know the difference. Traditionally that has been the role of the media - to inform the public - but that is not what they are doing. The fear on the left comes from the fact that fear has been used by FOX (more than any other network, but certainly not exclusively) and the Bush administration to shove the most radical anti-middle class, anti-civil liberties, pro-perpetual war agenda down the throats of the country. The fear is that the corporate interests own our information, and there can be no democracy for 95% of us if our media is a propaganda arm for the 1% of the wealthiest among us.

[iconoclast6]

Kudos, conned...you gave him a much more patient answer than I would have.

[Hamartia]

Examples of FOX willfully misinforming its viewers?

I have evidence of MSNBC willfully misinforming its viewers and potentially inspiring fear, but I won't participate in ad hominem tu quoque. Therefore, if you want this evidence, you'll have to ask for it. If you don't want it, you don't want the truth.

[pinhead71]

if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black,
YOUR "BOY" dubya, remind me how many press conferances did he hold.
YOUR BOY held townhalls by invetation only.
YOUR BOY couldn't hardly speak, much less read the telepromter.
YOUR BOY shredded the constitution.
YOUR BOY GAVE US THE WORST RECESSION SINCE 1930.
No wonder your boy was afraid of the press

[stefiz]

fanned!

[ninthraphael]

pansy? no! rational ? yes!

[iconoclast6]

Such manly, mac.ho, plain talk! And we all saw how well that worked out for George W. Sim.ian.

[Beachchick]

You will enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQc_TH4iVV8

[timberdoodle]

Beck isn't aware of it but he actually told the truth the real enemy of America is Fox News. There are more domestic terrorists in this organization than there are terrorists all around the world.

[Hamartia]

Really?

I'd like to see one shred of evidence supporting your claim regarding FOX and domestic terrorism. If you provide no proof, you are a liar. If you provide proof and it in not authentic, you are a liar. If you provide proof and it is not objective, you are grasping at straws and you guessed it a liar.

[Imzadi]

What's that thing in the picture with BillO? Its, its, its, Oh NO - a TELEPROMPTER!!!

[spirit22]

All news programs use teleprompters and written documents, why has this become an issue because Obama does it. So what?

[Imzadi]

That was sarcasm pointing out the hypocrisy. The same people that verbally eviscerated Obama for using one, use it themselves.

[ctom]

Fox called the Obama administration as the "biggest bunch of whiners." Not to be deterred, the administration just goes out and proves it. Talk about a bunch of novices and cry-babies. Clinton was right. They need to grow a pair and do something for "a change."

[Lucy0808]

Is that what this is about? Is everything about gonads? Who is the adult here?

There is nothing so immature, cowardly, and ill thought than to run your life by your gonads or your imagined size of gonads. This is not about "might is right".

[warriorpatriot]

everyone keeps blaming fox or maybe the president just can't get it done . it's easier to blame fox than the truth ........ amazing how one station is driving every one insane .... huh

[conned]

Its not that Fox is suddenly driving everyone insane; they have been doing that ever since they cheerlead the Afghan and Iraq wars, demonized (or at best minimized) any all dissent against the Bush Administration, while advocating all of their policies. The factor driving insanity at this point is that FOX is so blatantly manipulative and partisan to corporate interests that it hurts to see people hurt by these policies being so easily manipulated into supporting that which is against their own interests.

[Lucy0808]

Huh? Do you know what you are talking about?

Fox isn't news. It is tabloid through and through. Fox knows it's audience and is pumping that faction up. If you are part of it, well enjoy it like emotive drugs. It isn't about facts and it isn't about peer respected investigative jounalism.

For all of us that respect our freedom of speech, we respect that people can provide opinions. Lies and promoted events and made up propaganda may fit within the law. However, if it crosses the boundary of violence into " screaming fire in a crowded theater", it is against the law and is irresponsible. In my opinion, by masquerading as news when it clearly is not, and by insighting violence and group prejudice, it sometimes crosses the boundary. That may make ratings and make money, but it is clearly irresponsible, potentiall­y-illegal, and certainly immoral.

[moseyon]

IS that Beck a full dollar looks like 45 cents.
Is this Fox News?
ROTFLMAO

[iconoclast6]

2 + 2 = 5

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLΑ.VERY

ΙGNORANCE IS STRENGTH