WASHINGTON - October 26 - Today, Media Matters for America released a new video demonstrating how the conservative echo chamber operates in the age of President Obama. Conservative activists - aided by Fox News, a political organization disguised as a news network - use distortions, lies, and smear tactics to shape public opinion and influence national policy.

To watch the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQnmxW-UyKo

 "Unlike the Clinton and Bush years, the right-wing echo chamber is now aided by a network that has thrown any remaining shred of journalistic credibility out the window, " said Eric Burns, President of Media Matters. "The modern conservative movement has gained an enormous megaphone in Fox News that they are using to impact legislation and shape public opinion."

Burns added: "People need to decide how long they will allow the policies of their country to be dictated by a media outlet accountable not to voters or constituents but to ratings."

 BACKGROUND:

The new video released by Media Matters begins by tracing the evolution of the false claim that a provision in Democratic health care reform bills that would allow Medicare coverage of end-of-life counseling would actually implement "death panels," a fiction invented by conservative activists and leaders and hyped by the right-wing media. Following a period of baseless media-led attacks, the end-of-life counseling provision was dropped from the Senate Finance Committee's bill.

Media Matters has been documenting the baseless smears and distortions that the right-wing media have used to influence national policy, as well as analyzing the new role and power of the conservative media organizations - some of which, like Fox News, have become political operations disguised as journalistic outlets - and which now serve as the "voice of the opposition" to progressive principles.

"Voice of the opposition": Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House

SUMMARY: Since Barack Obama's inauguration, Fox News has frequently engaged in political advocacy against the Democratic Congress and White House. Specifically, Fox News personalities have promoted and encouraged viewers to "join" tea party protests, Glenn Beck's organization The 9-12 Project and its September 12 "March on Washington," and town hall meetings; engaged in a witch hunt seeking to "get rid of" Obama administration officials and nominees; implored viewers to call Congress and the White House to protest Democratic policies; and celebrated "victor[ies]" when Democratic legislation has been stalled.

Fox News' War

SUMMARY: Following Anita Dunn's description of Fox News as an "arm" of the Republican Party, Fox News personalities have suggested or claimed that the White House declared "war" on the network. In response, Media Matters for America has released a video showing the factually inaccurate smears, blatant political organizing, and explicit lobbying that Fox News has engaged in. Many of these activities have been occurring since January 20 and have only increased in frequency as time has passed.

Fox News Is the Story

SUMMARY: Fox News Channel is twisting American politics in an unprecedented way, and too many members of the press still aren't getting it. The White House has exposed Fox News for what it is: not a news organization, but a partisan political entity that is waging a war aimed at destroying the Obama administration and its progressive agenda. Fox's Glenn Beck said so himself last Friday, predicting that he would soon "take the administration down."