Warning: This Tea May Cause Severe Damage to Journalistic Integrity

Talk to any political organizer and they'll tell you the hardest part about pulling off a successful protest rally is building a big enough crowd for the press to show up and cover the festivities. As tax day approaches, conservatives planning anti-Obama "tea party" demonstrations across the country have found a way around this once-daunting organizer's dilemma: Fox News.

That's right. Despite repeatedly claiming its coverage is "fair and balanced," despite its attacks on anyone who dares claim or imply the cable outlet tilts to the right, despite encouraging viewers to "say 'no' to biased media," Fox News has frequently aired segments imploring its audience to get involved with tea-party protests across the country -- protests the "news" network has described as mainly a response to President Obama's economic policies.

Organizers of these tea-party protests have no bigger cheerleader (or crowd-builder, for that matter) than Fox News, which has provided attendance and organizing information for the events on air and online dozens of times. You name it, they've likely done it. Fox has offered viewers and readers such vital organizing information as protest dates and locations and addresses of websites where people can learn more. It has even posted information and publicity material for the events on its own website. Tea-party planners are now using the planned attendance of Fox News hosts to promote their protests and listing Fox News contributors as "Tea Party Sponsor[s]" on their website.

You see, Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Neil Cavuto, and Greta Van Susteren are all scheduled to broadcast live from tea parties in different cities across the country, and they've wasted little time in diligently working to boost attendance levels for the April 15 events.

On his Fox program, Hannity has told his viewers, "And don't forget, you can log on to our website to get all the details one week from tomorrow, our special, 'Tax Day Tea Party' show. You can attend. It's live. It's in Atlanta." Cavuto struck the same note, telling his audience, "By the way, this tea party movement that's going against largesse, it is growing. And folks are fed up with out-of-control spending. To that end, we are going to be broadcasting live from one of the biggest of these rallies on April 15, Tax Day. We are at California's state capitol in Sacramento. This is the epicenter of this tax revolt beast, if you will." Buried under the fault line of this "epicenter"? Cavuto's integrity.

For his part, Beck, Fox's conspiracy-theorist-in-chief, managed to escape his "doom room" -- Beck's words -- where he regularly hosts survivalist fringe characters prophesying our impending demise as a nation, long enough to encourage his viewers to come "[c]elebrate with Fox News" at any of four "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties."

It's sounding more and more like a nerdy third-grader begging classmates to show up for his birthday party: "Come on, guys! There's gonna be pizza and a clown -- you've gotta come!"

In all seriousness, it's one thing for a news outlet to cover a political protest -- that's pretty logical. It's quite another for a news outlet to repeatedly encourage its viewers to attend a political protest. Far from practicing legitimate journalism, it's blatantly and unabashedly political.

Beck isn't just helping with turnout. Discussing his participation in the upcoming protest at the Alamo in San Antonio on his syndicated radio program, Beck announced, "I'm going to do a fundraiser for them" to help defray costs. "So you can come and you can have lunch with me. ... I don't know any of the details, but I've heard it's like $500 a plate or something like that." I'm guessing they won't be serving pizza with a price tag clocking in at 500 bones per ticket. The clown, on the other hand? I'm told Beck makes amazing balloon animals.

At this point, Fox News might as well retire its worn-out "we report, you decide" slogan in favor of something more accurate and timely. Perhaps "we incite, then report; rinse and repeat" would do the trick.

Taking all of this into consideration, it's logical for people to be upset over the horrible state of affairs at Fox these days. Some might even be inclined to blame Beck, Hannity, and the rest of their right-wing broadcasting colleagues, but they should resist such temptation. You see, it really isn't their fault at all.

They are simply fulfilling the charge of their boss, Fox News senior vice president Bill Shine, who, in an interview last month with National Public Radio, described the conservative cable network as "the voice of opposition on some issues." Indeed.

At least someone's finally being honest at Fox. Now, if that's not a reason to party, I don't know what is.

Karl Frisch is a Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog, research, and information center based in Washington, D.C. Frisch also contributes to County Fair, a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook or sign up to receive his columns by email.

Comments

[nk007]

Well, you really have to understand the pain Fox news is experiencing. They were so used to being the voice of the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress that it hurts so much now that they are on the outside. Bill Shine really told the truth. Fox news' mission, along with Rush Limbaugh and other right wing radio talkers, is to disrupt and undermine the Obama administration to ensure that it fails. That way Fox news will be assured of coming back to power with Republican controlled government. The biggest tragedy, of course, is that Fox is manipulating working class and middle class whites who stand to benefit from Obama's policies.

[madashll]

I attended a small tea-party in a pretty small town.I met with some of the organizers, and have to say contrary to what you here in some news outlets,it was a grassroots organized deal.No money from
Dick Army or rich billionaire Republican­s.Just plain folks.
What I saw there was interestin­g.Just a group of folks from all walks of life wanting to be heard.
In attendance were elderly men with canes,elderly women,young couples with their children,
even several well behaved dogs.Every­one was smiling and talking to one another.Th­e speakers mentioned
out of control spending of both parties.An­d yes President Obama as well as President Bush were mentioned.
It was orderly.I didn't see or hear a single person trying to incite violence.
Just a group of average folks,who love their country and want to be heard.
In the reporting on all the tea-parties the only people I saw trying to incite the protesters was CNN
news reporters.­Now that not what I would call journalistic integrity.

[publanski]

Fox has lost any remaining credibility. It is not news. It is a right-wing propaganda machine, plain and simple.

[blkcfy]

Enjoy your day, teabaggers. Glad to hear you're continuing to protest on the side of fiscal responsibility. I'm glad you're continuing your tradition of yearly protesting pork. I'm glad you've kept me posted on the $656 billion and counting on the Iraq War alone...no­t to mention the lives lost and ruined. Oh, sorry, could have sworn that was you guys! Thanks for pointing out that not since Roosevelt have we had such a rise in the growth in the National Debt...wel­l except that spike with Bush Reagan and this one began with Bush II. Not you either? Oh, that's right. You'say it's debatable that Roosevelt's spending got us out of the worst economic period the nation has faced. Well, who the heck is posting the info at this site? http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

[maggie711]

In response to the article, being an ex-MSNBC viewer I have this to say about the lowest rated and least respected news media ON THE AIR. They don’t report ALL the news. They mockingly ‘report’ about other news Medias who do report about ALL the news. I discovered this when I started viewing other Medias for a broader view of the issues. MSNBC spent more time criticizing other Medias rather than reporting the actual news. MSNBC doesn’t want the viewer to hear all sides of an issue, they don’t want you to think and weigh the issues. THEY ARE A THREE RING CIRCUS AND RACHEL MADDOW IS THE RING LEADER. Good entertainment value but poor rating for reporting actual issues. While FOX wears the badge of courage, other networks wear a ‘yellow’ stripe. Progressive is great if you progress in the right direction… we as a country are NOT! And it has NOTHING to do with race and everything to do with policies. This isn’t ‘HATE” its love of country that motivates and the freedom to exorcise our rights to protest under the constitution.

[mainemomma]

Fox wears a badge of courage? When it is courageous to lie?

[publanski]

Fox wears the badge of propaganda. Proudly.

Doesn't the fact that they organized these rallies tell you that they are not reporting, but making the news?

And I really doubt you were ever an MSNBC viewer.

[FreedomRanger]

Hypocrite! The Left has been doing this, blatantly, for DECADES! Why don't You complain about them?

[madashll]

Show proof that Fox News organized these rallies!!
A lot of folks took time off work,spent their own money,and put countless
hours into organizing these rallies.

Fox may have promoted the rallies.Bu­t they had nothing to do with organizing them.

Did you also see CNN's so called reporting on the rallies????
Talk about lack of journalistic integrity! Man those folks are bitter!
What a bunch of pinheads.

[G2743]

I would like to say it isn't the race card. But it is screaming very loud.

[maggie711]

"Warning: This Tea May Cause Severe Damage to Journalistic Integrity" - hate to be the bearer of bad news but journalist integrity has already been damaged if not destroyed! News papers are suppose to REPORT both sides NOT take sides and that goes for FOX news too! But out of them all FOX tells both sides more than any other news media. The Tea Parties were NOT and are NOT organized by 'conservatives alone! I know MANY who voted for Omama who are disillusioned and attending the Tea Parties, let's say they dare to take the blinders off and see the 'real' change' for it is. The really good news here is that all the 'negative' bloggs have given the Tea Parties so much more exposure to many people who would otherwise not even know Tea Parties were going on.

[FreedomRanger]

AMEN Sista!!!

[Mintcondition]

A protest against President the black man Obama. They can't get over it. They are furious that a black man is in charge. They just used the cover of Obama Tax Cuts as a guise.

[bryan43036]

So in your mind anyone who disagrees with the president hates black people ,you really need to get away from your computer a little more.

[madashll]

Could care less about the mans color.
Its the policies, I don't like.

You guys always toss in the race card. Just can't help your self's can yah?

Its not about the president anyways.

Two questions.­......
1.Do you think the government should be bigger?
2.Or do you think the government should be smaller?

If your answer is yes on 1,then you will never understand these Tea Parties.
If your answer is yes on 2 then maybe you might want to consider going to a Tea Party.

Thats it pure and simple.

[maggie711]

Oh plz... grow up and stop throwing in the race card that's so immature and unintelligent of a response. This isn't about race or political affiliation it's about polices. It's about those who have the courage to confront the issues. Our freedoms weren't won by bench-warmers and neither will it remain secure by them.

[SonjaFaye]

Who cares about his color. Bobby Jindal isn't caucasion and he would do just fine!

[maggie711]

I think it’s great that most Americans can look past race/color when voting which shows we are a progressive people! But what I’ve observed is that many ‘voted’ simply for race/color and NOT on issues. I’ve also observed that those who continually throw out the ‘race card’ are usually the most prejudiced of all people and are usually the ones who can’t look beyond others who are NOT of their race/color or creed.

[nonpartisanvoice]

I understand if people think The Tea Party rallies are silly, stupid, sour grapes, whatever. But say what you will, they are NEWS. Much, much smaller rallies have grabbed much, much bigger headlines. I've heard the commentators and pundits, but I haven't heard much on the evening news.

[yomamadrama]

I agree with nonpartisanvoice. I think that this is a news worthy event and that the "other" stations are not covering it just points out that they are trying to ignore and downplay what they don't want to cover or don't agree with.

[JustMyWords]

You're both missing the point. Most of these commentators are NOT reporting the news - they are CREATING the news and PROMOTING an event.

Reporting is saying "Organization XYZ is hosting an event on Friday."

When you start saying "Organization XYZ is hosting an event on Friday, and you should attend it, and you should protest, and you should contact your elected representative," you are not longer reporting the news.

[Clevella]

Fox News. I can count on them to cover the fires they start....

[Shultzsrules]

You can count on somebody else putting out that fire, like CNN or MSNBC!

[maggie711]

MSNBC is the lowest rated news media out there but hysterical and are *LOL*. to watch!

[SonjaFaye]

I'm glad to have Fox News. I don't like everything they report..be­cause it IS fair and balanced, not like the CNN, CNBC guard dogs of the Left.

[miketothad]

MSNBC viewers might want to check out Hannity's show every now & then, if only to see Kirsten Powers in action. She's one of the liberal commentators on the network, but I especially like to see her on Hannity's show. Her style is very calm and modest and she'll routinely give Hannity a beatdown of logical & common sense debate. Only to have him barely keep his temper and reply with another juvenile liberal/socialist quip, showing how bad he is at actual debate. Kirsten's a treat, and I might tune in regularly if she become the replacement for Colmes.

[madashll]

A perfect example of balance.
I like Kristen as well.I do not agree with her.
Yes Fox is a Conservative leaning network. Like MSNBC
Is a left leaning network.Th­e difference it Fox admits its
conservative leanings.

[andken]

The problem is that there are few liberals at Fox(Well, there are a few conservatives at MSNBC too). For any time that a Kirsteen Powers or a Juan Williams appears there are countless hours with Kauthammer and Kristol...

I´d like to see more conservatives at MSNBC and more liberals at Fox.

[miketothad]

I agree that both sides could use more pundit diversity, but MSNBC could only benefit from a slight increase. From the debate perspective, I believe Fox News is woefully and deliberately behind and well beyond the line of propaganda (i.e. engineering Teabag protests for the 95% receiving tax CUTS). MSNBC makes a strong attempt to show viewpoints from both sides, while Fox leans so heavily on scare tactics, name-calling and keeping their viewers civically illiterate. As a Dem, I do believe we are inherently more apt to listen to the other side. But, the neo-con takeover has routinely revealed to us the plain differences between what is right and wrong, and what's led us into economic meltdown. To label the non-Fox media as "liberal" is juvenile, and I think Obama's poll numbers reflect. I'll predict that Fox will contiue to nitpick the Obama admin and the Dems on the hill, paint themselves into a corner, and marginalize "conservatives", unless they can begin to engage in honest objective journalism. Alas, indentifying yourself with country singers, Minutemen, myopic preachers, xeno/homophobes and closet racists can get you big numbers.

[noamjunior]

how is fox "admitting" its conservative leanings? by decalring itself "fair and balanced" ad nauseum?

[maggie711]

There is more balance of political views on FOX than any other news outlet and you learn nothing on MSNBC. When I talk with my liberals friends I am AMAZED at how little they know about what is going on in the world. I asked 16 co-workers all liberal if they were interested in going to a new AMerican Tea Party...al­l 16 said to what? NOT one had any idea what I was talking about. All are MSNBC fans...now there's good, fair and balanced reporting for you.

[applescruff]

99% of these tea baggers are getting thier taxes cut. Why are they so concerned with the corporations that just got bailed out because of thier dismal leadership?

[mtdem4ever]

There sure are a lot of right-wing tro//s out this evening on the HuffPo. Such a large increase makes me think someone is being encouraged to visit these "left-leaning" sites to argue the finer points of teabagging, oops, I mean tea party, etiquette. It's creeping me out!

[nk007]

Very simple: they have been brainwashed by some in the 1% bracket to hate anything that Obama does. I got one of those insane calls asking me to join the tea party to save America from Obama, and to save me from taxes. The funny thing is that I just got my pay check and I paid less taxes than I did last month. Unless I have no brains, how can I see Obama as this evil person who is taxing me to death. Of course I can understand why Beck, Limbaugh, and Hannity are angry with Obama. They were used to paying less taxes under Bush. How ironic that these multi-millionaires are depicting themselves as average people being oppressed by Obama.

[claylandg]

You got your tax cut?? good for you a whole 13-17 dollars. i got a tax increase $1.00 pack for cigs.

[SonjaFaye]

I am not anti-Obama. I am going to a Tea Party--with my Conservative AND Liberal friends. In fact, many Tea Parties have been organized by Democrats. Glad to give you a reality check.

[madashll]

They are very concerned about the failed companies the got bailed out.

Again thats the point!

Federal bailouts with your money!

To borrow a modified phrase from President Clinton.
Its massive government spending stupid!

Spending=TAXES

[Shultzsrules]

WOW! After the government collects the tax money it is no longer yours! It belongs to everyone.

[trisha08]

But, you thought the war in Iraq that Bush started was (is) FREE?

Ever hear of a company called Halliburton? Guess what? Your tax dollars have been supporting "corporations" for some time now. Who do you think has benefited from the war----that you are paying for with your taxes? Geez...wak­e up and smell the coffee.

Why didn't it bother you that your money (your tax dollars) has made a bunch of corporate Halliburton executives really really rich.

[jd29992]

Well first of all you are not paying attention to what the (as you call them) baggers are all about. It is not just about taxes it is about a government both Republican and Democrat gone wild. It is just about normal people the so called silent majority finally saying enough is enough.


So when will we see these so called tax cuts you talk about? Seems like the tax on cigarettes just went up $1.00 a pack. That’s a nice tax cut. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

[JustMyWords]

So, then, you're not in favor of consumption taxes or usage taxes, right? Because I see a lot of conservatives that rant that the income tax should be done away with in favor of a consumption tax. And that's what a tax on cigarettes is - a form of consumption tax. You can easily avoid that tax, too. Just don't buy cigarettes.

[zlohcuc]

And just where was this outrage against the parties and the attendent Fox News coverage when this situation was being created and fostered over the past six years. I must have missed it! The very structure of these news organizations should at least make you wary of the gigantic corporate mechanisms behind them. They are not in this business for the sake of altruism but for PROFIT!!!!! Why is it hard to see that there is very little "journalistic integrety" on television. As for cigarettes taxes here is how stilted the thinking is on this subject . On a recent TV interview, a smoker lamented about the new tax "this is the worst thing that could have happened to me" to which the interviewer replied.."­what about cancer?"

[maggie711]

IT'S ABOUT OVER SPENDING..­.PERIOD!!!

[trisha08]

Come on...at least be grown up enough to be honest. This was nothing more than an anti-Obama protest. If all of you "so-called" concerned citizens and fiscal conservatives were so concerned about spending, why didn't you protest when Bush was in office?

Did all of you protesters think that the war was (is) free? Are you frickin' kidding me?
This was NOT....I repeat...N­OT a protest about gov't (Rebub & Dem).

I don't think Obama had anything to do with your cigarette tax going up. Try speaking with your State legislators.

[trisha08]

I'm guessing that if you had a job and actually paid any taxes you would have already seen some tax cuts in your paycheck. As to when you will see Federal Tax cuts? Duh, how about when you file your taxes for this year----April 15, 2010.

Are you really protesting that the cigarette tax went up in your area? Really? Wow.
If your cigarette tax just went up, it is most likely your State that passed that increase---not Obama. Geez.

For someone who is protesting "taxes", you sure don't know anything about taxes.

[applescruff]

It seems to be fine with some when a Republican President takes away rights and sinks our country into debt and despair with nothing to show for it. Someone tries to give the rights back and have something to show for our investment in our future and it's the end of the Country for the right. Like it or leave it.

[madashll]

No it was not fine during a Rebublican presidency and its still not fine whith a Democrat President.
The same people were mad then and they are even more frustrated now.
Its not only a tax issue. Its an issue of principles, something this country seems to be running from.
Starting with the last president (and yes the new President inherited a mess) our government has gone out of control. Throwing trillions of dollars at a problem they ALL ignored for years.
Like it or not higher taxes will and must be a result of all this spending. In the end, the bills will come due and they must be paid.

I think if most of you actually listened, instead of burying your heads in the sand, you might see that this movement is not about which guy won. Because most of us are pissed off about both parties.
No I do not like most of Obama's policies, But I wasn't in support of Bush's massive spending either.
The republican congress were not fiscal giants either. So here we are. We know the repulicans spend like dogs and its clear the democrats are worse.
Thats why most of us are angry. I really don't care who the president is at the moment.
Congress spends the money, and both parties are darned good at it!
Come on enough is enough.

[Shultzsrules]

All I can say to that is; SOUR GRAPES. Now that we have a decent man in the oval office, Republicans can only carp and catterwaul about spending. This president is not closing firehouses in America and opening new ones in IRAQ!!!!!

[claylandg]

Very true it's not just one party , Bush and the republican did enought to this country with the help of the dems and now it's all gone to He-l with the new president and the same old congress/ senate spending is out of control on alot of programs i don't agree with.

[OldFreddie]

Actually, these tea parties have been in the works long before Fox got involved, and while we welcome the free publicity, please understand that this is not a Republican protest, much as you want to believe it is. I am among a group of 6 Democrats from my workplace going to a local tea party, and there are folks I know not even registered to vote who are going. It's a non-partisan protest of out of control government spending, and it's really directed at all the elected officials in Washington who seem to have abdicated any kind of fiscal restraint and common sense in favor of whichever group pays the most to their campaign coffers. It's a true grass roots movement, no funds from any political party, no ads in the local newspapers for paid protesters, and you should probably look at the silence from Washington from the right as well as the left to tell you how non-partisan this really is.

[mtdem4ever]

If they aren't registered to vote, I guess they should keep their opinions to themselves. They had their chance in November.

[SonjaFaye]

58 million Americans did not vote for Obama. They have a Constitutional right to assemble. So what's the beef? You don't have to participate or even watch the news.

[nk007]

OldFreddie;

Please spare us the lies! Why in the world are people in the grassroots that Obama is focused on helping are all of a sudden revolting? Do you really think that unemployed people, or working class and middle class people, who stand to benefit from the stimulus, health care reform, housing assistance, etc. are the elites not the grass roots. As the saying goes: you can put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig. All of you grass roots "teabaggers" can you honestly say that Obama is making you pay more taxes than you paid under Saint Reagan, Bush Sr., Bill Clinton or His Highness, the President of the United States and Emperor of Iraq, G.W. Bush? OldFreddie I am not sure what is more tragic: the fact that you are blatantly spreading lies, or the fact that you may sincerely believe in Right wing lies that has brainwashed you to be so afraid of President Obama.

[CentralVA]

nk007: Please take a closer look at the details of the Stimulus Bill and Obama's proposed budget. Many thoughtful people believe that Obama's spending schemes are much more likely to "help" the financial industry oligarchs than the working and middle classes. You may come to different conclusions, of course, but you should at least recognize that many reasonable people are justifiably concerned about the medium and long-term consequences of the new administration's policies.

[madashll]

What?t the term grassroots only applies if your a cradle to grave progressive?

I am a middle class worker. And yes I disagree with this administrations massive spending as I did with the last administration.

I know its hard to believe that there are still principled middle class folks out there that believe in the American Dream. You know the one our grandparents had. Work hard for a better life for yourself.R­ather than demand the fruits of another's labor.

[claylandg]

I'm also a midlle class ,single democrat also not happy with all the spending and to much government control, Freedom is in danger!!!

[SonjaFaye]

Wow, man. You are the one that sounds brainwashed. Take a breather.

[Patriots Daughter]

Actually, I am currently unemployed. I also returned home to the United States for good in October after living in the UK for EIGHT YEARS! I, for one, after living under a socialized government with "free" health care and housing assistance, do NOT want to see it happen in the United States. I've lived it, experienced it and suffered the traumatic, soul destoying consequences that come with living in a Nanny State. I suggest that those US citizens in favor of socialized medicine and housing FIRST go live in the UK for 3 or 4 years and then decide if they REALLY want it after all. To want something so drastic as socialized health care and housing without actually experiencing it first hand is ignorant and illogical. By the way, I am thankful for the American dentist I know have who is helping to fix the $30,000 worth of damage done to my teeth by a British dentist on the National Health System in the UK.

[jsgaetano]

I wonder what Fox imagines the enemies of America are thinking when they see Fox treasonously attacking our Commander-In-Chief every day, during A Time Of War (tm), on their programs?

I know for the last eight years Fox has been telling their viewers that anyone challenging the President during A Time Of War (tm) hates America. Does this mean Fox has gone over to the other side? Does Fox hate America?

[PSRinNJ2]

Oh, so dissent is treasonous NOW. I get it...

[LiberalBuzz]

Pretty clueless aren't ya psr?

[nk007]

PSRinNJ2

Dissent is absolutely o.k. However, peddling lies and inciting violence based on lies under the guise of dissent is dangerous. Case in point: Obama is cutting taxes on 95% of Americans and yet you want to manipulate those people into believing that Obama is raising their taxes. Otherwise why choose April 15, for your phony tea parties. Second case case in point: Obama is proposing 4% increase in Defense spending over the GW Bush's spending, and yet people at Fox news and a number of ignorant and clueless right wing Congress people are yelling loudly that Obama is cutting and gutting defense budget. That is no dissent? That is pure demagoguery!

[madashll]

The difference is...The commander-in-chief is not being attacked, his policies are.
I don't see Fox news reporting daily body counts like other news outlets did a short
time ago.I don't see fox news reporting sensitive news from Iraq that could put solders
in harms way,just to make cheap political points.

[Patriots Daughter]

What are the enemies of America thinking? Well, since quite a few of those enemies have been allowed to freely settle in the UK and Europe they are most likely sitting comfortably in their council (government) owned houses that they get for free, stuffing their faces with food paid for by the government, while they watch their televisions (again paid for by governement money) and becoming alarmed that unlike the people of the UK and Europe, Americans will not sit quietly by and watch their world become a socialized Nanny State with open borders. Remember, some of the terrorists who have attacked the USA were trained at the Finsbury Mosque in London, England.