Why Is Rupert Murdoch So Clueless About Fox News?

Did you know that Sean Hannity is "an academic"? That Obama administration officials love Fox News' White House reporters? That CNN refuses to have Republicans on its program? That Barack Obama made a "racist comment" last summer? That Glenn Beck is "purely Libertarian"? Or that there's no bias -- none -- in Fox's presentation of the news?

At least that's the gospel according to Rupert Murdoch this month.

In truth, thanks to Murdoch's recent laundry list of public falsehoods, we now know that Fox News' misinformation culture starts at the very top, inside the corner office of Murdoch, the CEO of News Corp., Fox News' parent company. It turns out Murdoch functions as his own one-man misinformation machine. Who knew?

But with his collection recent falsehoods regarding Fox News, a rather obvious question has been raised: How come Murdoch remains systematically uninformed about his controversial cable channel? The sad truth is Murdoch either has no idea what kind of programming Fox News now produces, or he's too embarrassed to watch and acknowledge it. Neither scenario is particularly flattering for the aging CEO.

Murdoch wants to pretend (at least to himself) that ratings are up because of the sterling and insightful news reports and opinion programs Fox News is producing. He doesn't want to sully his reputation by acknowledging the hate speech and faux journalism he profits off of because Murdoch, no doubt, wants very much to maintain his charter membership in the very clubby social circles that he's traveled in for years between Washington, D.C., and New York City (i.e. Murdoch likes being invited back to Charlie Rose's round table). It's where the very serious gather to discuss the very serious topics of the day. But, of course, Fox News today is a purposefully un-serious operation. (i.e. Obama is nothing more than a lowly racist/communist/Nazi/fascist) And if Murdoch publicly acknowledged that, it would reflect poorly on him.

So, instead, he opts for the charade and he creates his own idea of what Fox News is today -- an idea that does not match reality.

Read the entire Media Matters column here.

 

 

 

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Comments

[gottahope]

04:56 PM on 11/19/2009

This is just a case of follow the money. Fear losens purse strings. Fear broadcast 24/7 creates an industry that feeds itself and branches out. Fear creates mistrust, divides families, neighborhoods, cities, governments. When you are afraid you don't question, you simply react. Murdoch knows what he's doing, he's selling fear and people are buying it by the bucket full. Got fear?

[Bill Swadley]

06:23 PM on 11/17/2009

This reminds me of a Doonesbury strip from the Reagan era. In the strip only the face of the White House is seen and in a conversation between Reagan and one of his aides, Reagan is told that public opinion has it that [words to the effect] "...you're either the most dishonest president in history or the most ill-informed." To which there is a pause until Reagan asks, "Well, which is it?"

[KindOne]

09:30 AM on 11/19/2009

Good one.

[Twirly]

11:50 AM on 11/17/2009

FOX is doing a superb job lately. I've noticed it.

FOX does not put down the American people who simply have strong strong feelings that differ from Democrat's ideas and policies.

Democrats make fun of us and portray us as racist and stupid. They do this on MSNBC and CNN.

I actually was shocked when I saw this done several times on those stations.

FOX treats us with respect.

I guess that's why most Americans listen to FOX News.

FOX News ratings are blasting CNN's and MSNBC's (that's a fact).

So.

You may write whatever you wish and call FOX all kinds of names, but the truth is,
most of us prefer to watch FOX News over CNN and MSNBC.

Thank you FOX for working so hard and caring so much for us.

[Bill Swadley]

06:26 PM on 11/17/2009

Defenders of Fox News always, always say the same thing about MSNBC and CNN as you have here.

The problem is that THERE ARE MORE THAN THREE SOURCES FOR NEWS IN THE WORLD!

Personally, I don't watch any of these 3 on any kind of regular basis and feel that the outlets I depend on and respect give me the journalistic facts with little or no opinion "mixed in" so that I may draw my own conclusions and form my own opinions without being "guided" in any particular direction.

[TxWranglr]

10:00 PM on 11/20/2009

"I guess that's why most Americans listen to FOX News."

How interesting that you think less than 1% is "most."

[Plissken]

10:10 AM on 11/17/2009

I disagree. I think Rupe knows full well what his news channel is up to. He just knows that until you fess up there is no resolution. It's like when a criminal gets caught but continues to deny the allegations to the bitter end. It's not because they think they are innocent, its because endless denial creates doubt. Doubt is what the Rupe's game is all about. It has nothing to do with truth or ethics and everything to do skullduggery, and of course the conservatives true god cash.

[ibivi]

09:48 AM on 11/18/2009

I don't believe that RM is clueless at all. You don't get to where he is by being stupid. He is clever as all get out. Maybe he is talking to his core audience so he dumbs it down. Their attitude all is we didn't do anything wrong no matter what the criticism. We just give the people what they want or what we think they should get. It is a very successful formula. Lies and manipulation-that should be their motto.

[KindOne]

09:34 AM on 11/19/2009

It WAS a successful formula.

It is a New Age now. Now it is recognized to be an act of treason.