Democrats Should Stay Off Fox Until It Confesses

Is there really any doubt in anyone's mind that Fox has been attacking Obama from day one? Can anyone really be that misinformed or disingenuous? Well, if you are, this video from Media Matters will disabuse you of that notion:

Half the people on there are their "news" anchors, like Brett Baier, Brit Hume, Megyn Kelly, David Asman, Neil Cavuto (I know, it's funny but they pretend he's also a straight news anchor) and Bill Hemmer, among others. If you want more undeniable examples of Fox slanting the news and presenting their own propaganda, you can read my earlier post on this (please read the articles in the links).

Come on, does anyone really believe that ACORN is the top story of the day? Every day? They just happen to pick Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, ACORN, etc. as the top news stories to cover by sheer coincidence? Or is it possible that is their obvious, ham-handed way of attacking the president on a daily basis? I can't believe we're having this argument.

But I'm more incredulous that we have the rest of the media defending Fox on this as if Obama started this fight or that he shouldn't fight back against an organization that is attacking him non-stop. So, let's make some things clear:

1. The White House is not threatening to shut down Fox News or take away their license. It's a free country. They can attack Obama all day long. But Obama also has a right to fight back. So, please stop with the histrionics about how the government is coming down on the media.

President Obama doesn't have to do them the favor of coming on their shows. It's his prerogative not to do so. According to the argument of the people defending Fox, does the president also have to go on Rush Limbaugh's program? Otherwise, is he attacking the media?

How about my show? Does the president have to come on our show to avoid charges that he is spiting all progressives? All progressive media? The whole press? Of course not, he can go on any damn show he likes.

2. There is nothing wrong with partisan press. The Nation, National Review, Air America and Fox News Channel are all ideologically driven press. The problem is that the only one lying about it is Fox News. They claim to do straight journalism when they are obviously ideologically slanted in one direction. Has anyone ever thought Fox was too liberal? Too moderate? Of course not, they're conservative.

So, Democrats should not to go on Fox News until they admit what they are. If they say they are indeed partisan press, then no problem. Everyone can go on there with the proper understanding of the context. If they continue to pretend they are doing straight, unbiased news, then why should the Democratic Party aid and abet that lie? If Fox is honest about their perspective, then the president and the Democrats should be ready to take the fight to them on their air.

3. Since I'm flabbergasted that anyone in the media would claim Fox does straight journalism, I'd like to offer a fun challenge. I will take on anyone in the press in a debate on the issue of whether Fox is really a news station or not. All comers are welcome. It's impossible to lose that debate, so it's the easiest challenge of my life.

In fact, here is an interview with Glynnis MacNicol of Mediaite where we basically had that debate:

I also had a discussion with John Nichols of The Nation on this same issue. He wrote the Whiner-in-Chief about Obama's decision to take on Fox. I obviously disagreed, but we came to the same conclusion by the end - Obama shouldn't go on Fox until they admit their conservative slant.

On Friday's show, I'll be taking on former Republican Congressman John LeBoutillier on the same topic. I'm serious; I will debate anyone in the media crazy enough to defend Fox's journalism practices. I'm amazed at the number of takers. But to paraphrase Alan Grayson, I'm on the offense and that's where I plan to stay. Batter up.

Watch The Young Turks Here

Follow Cenk Uygur on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks

Comments

[TwinX]

Crap 1 crap 2 crap 3. Nuff said.

[Cay]

FYI - Jacob Weisberg had a story in Newsweek (and HuffPo) supporting the WH. Just to give credit where it's due. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/18/jacob-weisberg-fox-news-i_n_325666.html

[RSKaz]

With all due respect, this is a non story. Fox "News" is news in name only. By its own classification it is not even registered within the broadcasting industry as "news." Opting rather for the generic "entertainment" to cover its "say anything, air anything" programming du jour.

I hardly think there would be as much "objection" - feigned or actual - if Food, Home Shopping, or Cartoon networks were "banned" (which Fox News is not) from accessing the White House for not being legitimate news organizations. You don't get a seat at the table when you're only the busboy.

[abubaca]

If you watch Fox, you'll note that they do tell you they have an agenda. All of the OPINION EDITORIAL SHOWS will tell you what their biases are. The news itself, pretty fair. They may not choose to report something, but that makes them no less biased than MSNBC, CNN, ABC, blah blah blah.
I'm an American, what I"m concerned about the most is that the government is taking away my rights. For many years now we've been losing RIGHTS.
Where is your concern about this? You think it's all "let's gang up on Obama," I could care less about that. For the 8 years previously it was "let's gang up on Bush." Let's look at the larger issue. Government intrusion into private business, MANDATED health insurance. The government hasn't even been able to run our public education system, yet they think they can run the banks, the auto industry, and now our Healthcare system?
There is a much larger problem than partisan politics. Why are we letting our system get destroyed? I don't have a job today. I am also not on any kind of welfare or public assistance, although as a taxpayer, I'm entitled. I just don't want anyone else's money. I live damn good. And I am at the bottom. I don't want to see the solution to the "problem." The problem is, people just don't realize how good they have it.

[Techboy308]

You are incredibly self centered and mostly wrong. Quick suggestion, walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you assume that everyone should be able to live like you do...

[CommonSenseForChange]

Glynnis MacNichol very adequately demonstrated why the media is so screwed up. They don't know how to identify news. I suppose she would be alright with Fox "news" making a claim that McCain won the presidential race last year and would leave it up to the other MSM to call the claim false.

[chronic]

FOX nEWS has an agenda.

Should it be spelled out? Whoever watches that station should do some hard introspection.

[Cedman]

Fox confess? They never acknowledged the mistake of the Iraq war or any missteps of republicans or conservatives, so don't expect you to admit the obvious lack of fairness or balance in its coverage

[tweedy54]

Great post Cenk. The trolls are on tonight!!!!!!

[JerryLevy]

This author is simply an advocate. He is pushing the Democrats to gang up on the only network that has reported the Acorn story, the only network that reported the oil for food scandal at the UN, the only network that exposed the Van Jones story and the only network that uncovered the story about George W Bush getting a DUI when he was 29. This author is against freedom of the press and wants only to support those that report positives about the Obama administration. Last Sunday a white house official strongly suggested that the other networks should not pick up on Fox stories. Are they learning these techniques from Hugo Chavez?

[Lorixd]

It's silly really !
Over the past 2 days I've heard as much criticism from the left as I have from the right on this topic. I mean are they finally seeing the sunshine of his charm? It's been a wonderful week as I truly think the main streamers are finally getting it.
Stop and think about this...BO has all the news media ,all the college professors ,most of the newspapers on his side and he's become paranoid over little FOX news...you know...the news network that so many in here say isn't a news network..? It's quite laughable really if it wasn't such a serious invasion of free press. Thank God for the internet! They ought to be ashamed!

[EbonBear]

BULL! No-one has ever threatened to pull Fox's license, no-one has told them that they shouldn't report this or that. All anyone has done is pointed out Fox's obvious and overwhelming bias and that those picking up stories from Fox should be aware of that. Fox News is about as "fair and balanced" as Pravda circa 1955.

[Scarmouche]

"Fox News" Isn't that an oxymoron?

[CommonSenseForChange]

Yes. Yes it is!

[bronceye]

How did bush/cheney/fox treat Helen Thomas? Obama removed fox and allowed Helen Thomas to reemerge in the light. A fair trade. Fox-1, journalism-1, tie score. Different strokes, different folks.

[JerryLevy]

Helen Thomas never asks questions, she only pontificates and makes statements. She has become irrelevant.

[cowboyjerkface]

That woman is sooo in the can for fox that she refuses to even acknowledge that fox is slanted in the least.

[Cay]

In my opinion, she isn't in the can for FOX and that is more scary. She thinks she is being very objective and deliberate.

She was more than willing to say well, yes there is bias, if you look at individual reporters or stories, but she drew the line at calling the whole enterprise biased. I think that comes down to a few reasons. One: it is part of the whole journalism ethos to think that seeing the the forest (along with the trees) is biased reporting - they simply don't do context. Two: you have to do some investigation and research to establish context and that is a heck of a lot of work. Three: if all these authorities in your society and profession say something is true, it is really difficult for the human animal to see it any other way.

[Thomas Bailey]

What can I say, Cenk? You effing rock.
Thank you so much for calling a spade a spade. Well said, well argued, and well executed.
Cheers, and keep up the good work!

[clevelandchick]

Awesome as usual Cenk. I cannot believe Nichols actually defends Fox, weak sauce as you say on TYT. I'm re-thinking my Nation subscription.

[josephXY]

What is rather odd is the absence of any criticial consideration concerning matters
financial and economics. It is as if people just concerned with media and politics (sometimes
regarded as lunatic asylum) are entirely leaving outside the realm of money matters
even though becoming ever more urgent personal issues. And for that reason: a look back to
the now all too clear nonsense told by most of the financial experts, who made fools of themselves
on Fox, among others, in that flashback video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0QN-FYkpw