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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Jess Levin (202) 772-8162
jlevin@mediamatters.org

Fox's 300

Media Matters report shows network rallying for GOP in at least 300 instances

WASHINGTON


Last week, Sean Hannity was pulled
from hosting his show from a tea
party fundraiser, and today, Media Matters for America released
a report
detailing
how Fox News personalities in recent years have endorsed, raised money,
or
campaigned for Republican candidates or causes, or against Democratic
candidates or causes, in more than
300 instances in at least 49 states.

"Fox's ethics crisis has gone
nuclear,"
said Eric Burns, President of Media Matters.
"In spite of their claim to be 'fair and balanced,' Fox has
shown a startling
pattern of complicity in letting its
hosts and contributors use its
network affiliation to promote and fundraise for Republican causes and
candidates."

Burns continued: "Rupert
Murdoch said he didn't believe it would be appropriate for Fox to
support
a political party. Try saying that 300 times fast."

BACKGROUND:

Though Rupert Murdoch recently said he
didn't think Fox should be supporting the tea party
or any other party, Media Matters has
documented
at
least 300 examples of Fox News hosts and contributors endorsing, raising
money,
and campaigning for Republican candidates or causes. Republican parties
and officials have routinely touted
these personalities' affiliations with Fox News to sell and promote
their
events.

  • Fox News contributor
    Karl Rove has participated in or is scheduled to participate in 23
    fundraisers
    for Republican candidates and causes and has given $14,000 to
    Republican
    candidates since signing on with the network.
  • Fox News contributor
    Newt Gingrich has participated in or is scheduled to participate in
    at
    least 16 Republican fundraisers and gatherings and has endorsed
    Republican
    candidates. Additionally, he serves as a campaign adviser to a
    Republican
    campaign and is chairman of American Solutions for Winning the
    Future, a
    527 that has raised more than
    $14 million in the 2010 election cycle.
  • Fox News host Mike
    Huckabee's political action committee, HuckPAC, has endorsed and
    given money to
    numerous Republican candidates. Huckabee has recently participated
    in or
    is scheduled to participate in at least seven Republican
    fundraisers and events.
  • Fox News contributor
    Dick Morris regularly endorses and fundraises for Republican
    candidates;
    he has also used his Fox News employment to urge viewers to
    contribute to or help campaigns
    that advocate on behalf of Republican causes or against Democratic
    officials
    and candidates.
  • Fox News contributor
    and host Sarah Palin has, since joining
    the network, endorsed numerous Republican candidates and has
    appeared at
    six Republican events. Her PAC has raised at least $2.5 million
    through
    the first quarter of 2010 and has given $8,500 to Republican
    candidates
    and causes.
  • Fox News contributor
    Rick Santorum's PAC raised at least $1.5 million and has donated to
    at least 35
    Republican candidates and causes during the current 2009-2010
    election
    cycle. He has participated in at least eight Republican fundraisers
    and
    events and reportedly has planned trips to at least nine states to
    speak
    to Republican groups or campaign for Republican candidates.
  • Fox News host Glenn
    Beck offered to host a fundraiser for Rep. Michele Bachmann.
  • Fox News host Sean
    Hannity has participated in three fundraisers for Republicans and
    has
    donated money to a Republican candidate.
  • Fox Business Vice
    President and Your World host
    Neil Cavuto has given money to former President George W. Bush.
  • Fox News host Oliver
    North has participated in at least three Republican fundraising
    events and
    has contributed $2,000
    to Republican candidates and causes.
  • Fox Business host
    Eric Bolling has endorsed Republicans on at least three occasions.
  • Fox News contributor
    John Bolton has fundraised and appeared at four recent Republican
    events.
  • Fox News contributor
    Fred Barnes has spoken at Republican fundraisers on at least two
    occasions.
  • Fox News contributor
    Dana Perino has participated in at least three Republican events.
  • Fox News judicial
    analyst and Fox News Radio co-host Andrew Napolitano endorsed
    Pennsylvania
    Senate candidate Pat Toomey and has appeared at fundraisers for
    Acadiana
    Republican Women and Rep. Ron Paul.
  • Fox News contributor
    Tammy Bruce has donated $10,000 to Republican candidates or
    causes.
  • Fox News
    contributor Michelle Malkin has appeared at Republican
    fundraisers on at least two occasions.
  • Fox News contributor
    Monica Crowley is scheduled to be the master of ceremonies for a
    fundraising dinner "to support" "conservative Republican
    veterans running for Congress."
  • Fox News contributor
    David Hunt appeared at several fundraisers for Republican
    congressional
    candidate Jim Lee (SC).
  • Fox News national security
    expert and FoxNews.com host KT McFarland participated in a Santa Fe
    County
    Republican Party fundraiser.

For more information, 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.