April, 26 2010, 02:40pm EDT
Fox Does It Again
Network continues to allow employees to promote Republican candidates and causes
WASHINGTON
Today, Media Matters for America responded
to reports that Fox News' Glenn Beck is scheduled to host Gov. Rick
Perry (R-TX), who is running for a third full term in office, at Beck's
"Taking Back America" town hall event on Saturday in Tyler, Texas. This
latest example of Fox's political activism can be added to the
more than 300 instances -- documented by Media Matters -- in which network personalities endorsed,
raised money for, or campaigned for Republican candidates or causes, or
against Democratic candidates or causes.
"After
the Sean Hannity controversy, Fox had an opportunity to regain some
shred of journalistic integrity. That opportunity is gone,"
said Ari Rabin-Havt, vice president of Communications and Research for Media
Matters for America. "Beck
stumping for Gov. Perry shows that Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes care
much more about promoting the Republican Party than 'reining in' their
employees."
BACKGROUND
Though Rupert Murdoch recently said he
didn't think Fox should be supporting the tea party or any other party,
Media Matters noted in a special
report released last week:
In
recent years, at least twenty Fox News personalities have endorsed,
raised money, or campaigned for Republican candidates or causes, or
against Democratic candidates or causes, in more than 300 instances and
in at least 49 states. Republican parties and officials have routinely
touted these personalities' affiliations with Fox News to sell and
promote their events.
The report came after Fox News executives yanked
host Sean Hannity from taping his April 15 show at a Cincinnati Tea
Party event that charged admission and from which "all proceeds"
benefited the organization. Following this embarrassing incident, the
network reportedly planned to "keep a tighter rein on
Hannity and others."
But, that "tighter rein" apparently does not extend to Perry's
appearance at Beck's town hall. The Associated Press reported:
Although
he has denied it, speculation is swirling that Perry may consider a run
for president in 2012 and experts say appearing with Beck keeps him in
the minds of conservative voters.
To review the more than 300 examples of Fox's political activism,
please see:
REPORT: Fox Newsers rally for GOP in more than 300
instances and in nearly every state
Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.
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