April, 21 2010, 11:00am EDT
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.
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