Axelrod, Emanuel Criticize Fox News: "It's Not Really News" (VIDEO)

White House senior adviser David Axelrod and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel continued the Obama administration's criticism of Fox News during their interviews this morning on ABC and CNN, respectively. Both Axelrod and Emanuel cautioned that one of their main concerns is that other news organizations not follow Fox's lead in coverage, which the White House does not see as 'fair and balanced.'

Axelrod said the White House would continue to have its officials appear on Fox, but that their approach to the network is that "it's not really news":

It's really not news. It's pushing a point of view. And the bigger thing is that other news organizations like yours ought not to treat them that way, and we're not going to treat them that way. We're going to appear on their shows. We're going to participate but understanding that they represent a point of view."

WATCH:

Emanuel made sure to note that Fox News is not the White House's sole concern, but he echoed Axelrod in not labeling Fox a news organization.

It's not so much a conflict with Fox News. But unlike I suppose the way to look at it, the way the President looks at it and we look at it, it's not a news organization so much as it has a perspective. And that's a different take. And more importantly is not have the CNNs and the others in the world, basically be led and following Fox as what they're trying to do as legitimate news organization in the sense of both sides and a sense of valued opinion.

WATCH:

Michael Clemente, Senior Vice President of News, FOX News, issued this statement defending the cable news network:

Surprisingly, the White House continues to declare war on a news organization instead of focusing on the critical issues that Americans are concerned about like jobs, health care and two wars. The door remains open and we welcome a discussion about the facts behind the issues.

Send us tips! Write us at [e-mail] if you see any newsworthy or notable TV moments. Read more about our media monitoring project here and click here to join the Media Monitors team.

Comments

[CosmicGalaxy]

Fox is now a Media Wing of the Republican Party

The truth is that Roger Ailes and the right wing TOP Dogs have figured out a way to beat the Democrats by having Fox News and Web based Fox nation become the slick media arm of the Republican Party and junk yard dog for conservatives.

They accomplish many goals by doing this.
1. They have managed to blunt the immense popularity of the 1st black president and drag him down in the polls by ginning up negative stories and then baiting the other media to cover. This works!
2. They get almost 100% viewership of the conservatives and rightwing and the Republican Party because the show reinforces all of their beliefs and conservatives love to hate liberals. This works!
3. All of the rightwing authors and pundits have lucrative gigs and TV spots to promote their books up on the best seller lists be selling to each other and for sending out books to raise money. This works
4. By being a news organization yet promoting anti government and anti Obama Tea Parties and Town halls, they swelFox is now a Media Wing of the Republican Party

The truth is that Roger Ailes and the right wing TOP Dogs have figured out a way to beat the Democrats by having Fox News and Web based Fox nation become the slick media arm of the Republican Party and junk yard dog for conservatives.

[PuddyKatz]

Rahm and Axelrod are just telling the truth. Everyone knows it.

[DesignerLady1]

If Fox was lying... where are the SLANDER SUITS? I watch all news chanels... all views - it is important to see clearly - not to be snowed by a pretty face and an engaging smile. If you really care about our country, you will recognize that when our leaders say we can't tell the truth, we no longer have our country. Fox is not saying untruths... just not popular truths. Like it or not... I don't listen to Hannity... he is too extreme. I listen to the Factor... I love Joe Scarborough as I do Lou Dobbs.. they tell both sides... the good and the bad... that is what we need. Not just fluff... Fluff is easier... I admit... but we must take off our Rose Colored Glasses - there is a great deal at stake - Our whole way of life... I want to be able to speak the truth freely... and not worry about someone coming down on me. Look what happened to "Joe the Plumber" He was crucified for what? nothing... just stating his concerns. THINK ABOUT IT... Just for the record.. I am pro Abortion, Pro environment -Spiritual not religious.

[liberalOrgonian]

Thank you WH for calling Faux non news out for what they are. They are the propaganda machine for all that hates our new president. President Obama told us he would call out any lies, this is where most of them are coming from. Faux uses twisted and non facts like a drug, trying to get the unhappy and angry masses hooked on hate. Keep up the good work that you all do at the WH.

[carrwatt]

The WH is only concerned about who will be exposed next for their corruption. Were it not for Fox "News", ACORN would not have been exposed, Van Jones would not have been exposed, etc.

Those who choose to live like an ostrich can do so as they have that right, those of us who prefer to know what is going on in the world have that right as well.

[TMann99821]

What are the lies?? Fox News h@ters are all the same. You think MSNBC is telling you the truth when they are only promoting anything that comes from thw WH or Dems. When are you people going to wake up and realize this? Both networks are preaching to the choir. The only way you can determine what is actually happening in DC is to listen to ALL sides. If you believe all the rhetoric you here, you would be a perfect candidate for Jonestown.

[SimianNation]

So these two guys told the world what everyone else knows. Fauz Newz is nothing more than opinion journalism. I know it, you know it, and these took guys told everyone else it. The one thing I do wonder is, does Beck have to share his vapor rub with everyone else at Faux to help sell the honesty of their whines?

[TMann99821]

And you think CM, KO and RM are not opinion journalist?? They are just as opinionated as GB, SH and RL.

[SvrWx]

I wish they'd realize that this bickering makes them and the White House look like little vindictive, whiny complainers.

[Rickfors]

Where is the bickering? The Obama administration is simply stating facts; that Fox is not a news organization but an extreme right wing propoganda machine.

[SvrWx]

The same could be said for MSNBC, but for the Left Wing part of the political strata...but as Fox as good for Bushie, MSNBC is good for Obama.

[carrwatt]

It shows Obama's very immature, child like side. He should drop this and move on to issues that "really" matter, like our troops, the economy, job losses, etc.

[custardpie40]

so its come down to censorship by the white house. people see this for what it is. any voices that dont agree or any media that questions anything the white house does, they attack. Bush never did this when MSNBC nightly attacked him or his administration. Olbermann called him a facist and worse yet now this administration is acting like grade school children when Fox points out just what is wrong with the administration. tough cookies. freedom of the press. if you cant hack your job, you dont deserve the position. why dont they speak out about MSNBC's nightly attacks on republicans or Palin or , Bush. CNN did a desment the other night about this and the journalist shoke his head and said this is a witch hunt, and every journalist should be wondering if they are next. freedom of the press, which even huffington post enjoys.

[Aerows]

Coming right out and saying that Fox isn't a news channel is hardly censorship, it's calling them like they see them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and they offered there opinion of Fox News. This is a case of the truth hurting, thus why so many conservatives are here at HP defending Fox.

[Ratso]

If FOX News is not news, then what could MSNBC possibly be since it never offers news only rah, rah for the present administration. MSNBC is so biased and bad, it even turned Chris Matthewes (chills up his legs) around and is working on Smirconish. How can the network of Oberman and Maddow be considered real news. FOX does have some excellent news people, and I do not mean Hannity, Beck or O'Riley. CNN ain't so bad.

[econ1]

So the government supports MSNBC and not Fox.

They supported GM and not Ford.

They supported Goldman Sachs and not Lehman Brothers.

This is the new way of things. Better buy your ticket to one of the fund raisers.

[Aerows]

It's hard to support a "news" channel that regularly distorts the facts. MSNBC is far from perfect, but when they make claims, they actually back them up with evidence. Fox takes quotes out of context, uses old footage along with new stories, and generally carries water for the GOP.

When MSNBC and other stations are caught doing that, I'll condemn them right along with Fox. Fox repeats GOP talking points, sometimes not even bothering to change them. That isn't "news" that's pure spin.

[johnsonc20]

This is a smart move and is completely justified. Somebody had to call out Fox News and the President and his staff are in the best position to do it. When someone declares war on you, you had better not ignore their attacks.

[zeeeke]

2 corrupt guys who cashed in (millions) on their political connections...Rahm got a quick 16 million in 2 years capitalizing on his connections with the Clinton administration (Google it). I voted for Obama but I'm a Nader guy

[nk5otr]

So when will the administration revoke Fox's news credentials?

[keeganwings]

It is important to note the "liberal" bias in the different outlets, however I think what sets Fox apart is their standards not only for what they call "news," but also the fact that they have very few qualms over blatantly lying, manipulating information, and calling names. Examples:

1. The Terrorist Fist Jab
2. A complete lack of coverage on the recent Gay Rights March
3. Glenn Beck's breakdowns

Additionally, let us be clear that CNN is owned by Murdoch as well, and this debate is highly touted on both sides because of the increase in ratings on BOTH "sides." Asserting that Fox news is worse seems like the force-fed starting point for this argument. Maybe I am just a Murdoch drone like the rest of this country.

Please reply with any other such themes on MSNBC's or Fox's channel that might illustrate or contradict this matter.

[Aerows]

The distortions and outright lies are the problem. As far as having a bias, these days it is pretty much expected from TV news networks. Reporting falsehoods and claiming them to be the truth is in a whole other category. It's called manipulating and lying to the public.

[Nate16]

There's no money in the middle. In the mid-90's, Fox News saw a business opportunity in reporting from the right. CNN and MSNBC report from the left. It's all entertainment. It's all business. To think for a minute that a single thing we see on TV, hear on the radio, or read on the web from ANY source is unadulterated news is just naive.
None of it is information, it's all affirmation. People tune into what justifies their beliefs - whether it's with Keith or Bill is completely up to the consumer. Once people come to terms with what the media is today - entertainment - we will all be better off.

[caviler]

CNN reports from the left... uh, since when?

Only Fauxbots imagine that CNN is anything other than right of center, corporate news. Admittedly, it's better/more news than Faux but then the Weather Channel is better than Faux.

[jpshotwheels]

Those sentiments were mine, since when does CNN report from the left, they report from the right. People call CNN, the Clinton News Network, but I never saw CNN defending Clinton on anything. Except that Clinton was the one that signed the laws to allow news media to expand ownership.

[free-thinking]

What's to the "Left" and to the "Right" is relative to where a person stands politically, so to someone on the extreme Right, a station such as CNN would seem to be on the Left.

[SonofSolomon]

That is why I watch BBC and PBS.

[gabemill]

I don't believe we are "better off" accepting opinion as truth.
The news has become, but should not be, entertainment. The news should be unbiased reporting dedicated to informing the people. Can that happen in a society dominated by the quest for profits...I don't know... but wouldn't the country benefit from rallying around facts, over the divisive ideologies of talking heads?

[Aerows]

I absolutely believe we are worse off accepting opinions as the truth. News used to be about relating the facts in an unbiased manner. TV news has turned into a circus. I'm just relieved people are finally discussing it instead of taking everything they see on the news as gospel.

[Nyla785]

The White House only need point out how studiously Fox News avoids any bad news about Republicans in favor of 24/7 coverage of anything against the Democrats.
That's not news , folks. That's an agenda.

[dgventers]

You think the leftnut media outlets are any different when it comes to their own? You are delusional.

[caviler]

You mean in Europe? Because we sure don't have any leftist media outlets in America.

I don't know, maybe Mother Jones or some other magazine but certainly none of the news channels.