OPINION

Outfoxing Outfoxed: Politics and Media

Written by John Guilfoil
Published September 08, 2006

Outfoxed, a 2004 documentary by Robert Greenwald, tries to show the dangers of corporate control over the media by citing a commonly right-of-center news source, Fox. Greenwald and a group of volunteers monitored Fox News Channel 24 hours per day for several months looking for “conservative bias” in its news reporting. The resulting film shows that Fox is indeed a conservative-leaning media outlet and corporately controlled

This is breaking news?

Taglines and advertisements label Outfoxed as an attempt to prove that Fox is conservative and republican leaning. Did Greenwald think that he was decoding some great mystery of the world? Everyone knows Fox is conservative. Everyone knows The New York Times and CNN are liberal media sources.

I need to approach this from a common sense perspective. Fox is a conservatively biased media source. Their anchors show these traits with a degree of obviousness. Outfoxed gives several arguments to prove its case. First and foremost, the film demonstrates that Fox owner Rupert Murdoch and president Roger Ailes are both ideologically conservative. The film claims that reporters are praised for positively covering conservative issues and reprimanded for concentrating on liberal ones.

Both of the above facts may be true. Yes Murdoch and Ailes are conservatives. It is possible that news reporters are being encouraged to follow a more conservative agenda. What I fail to understand is where the harm is in promoting a conservative agenda when the vast majority of media outlets promote a liberal agenda? I don’t completely agree with either agenda, but we are bombarded with both consistently.

In fact, the 2004 presidential election and subsequent exit polls showed that the values held dearest by the majority of Americans are traditionally held as conservative ideals. They reelected a very conservative republican president and gave republicans a clear majority (read: mandate) in both houses. In New England and parts of California, we forget that in most other places in the United States, faith-based governance and lax gun control replace gay rights and abortion.

2006 will not change that, and Democrats (liberals) will not take back both the House and the Senate.

Now this brings us to the second argument. Fox is conservative; conservatism is contrary to the bulk of the mainstream media, but is an agenda of conservatism bad? Is any? Should all journalists be objective? Are any?

Fox is Murdoch’s candy store. Does he have the right to convey whatever image he wants with his proprietary media networks? Is it fair that the “haves” can spread their beliefs on all simply because they can afford to?

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John Guilfoil is the editor of Blast Magazine. He is the former editor and founder of The Review Center. He currently maintains the blog PRrag: All the news that's fit to spin.
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Outfoxing Outfoxed: Politics and Media
Published: September 08, 2006
Type: Opinion
Section: Politics
Filed Under: Culture: Media, Politics: Elections and Candidates, Politics: Government, Politics: International, Politics: Law and Rights, Politics: Local and Regional, Politics: Policy, Politics: U.S.
Writer: John Guilfoil
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Comments

#1 — September 8, 2006 @ 14:19PM — Arch Conservative

"What you do hear plenty of from the Democrats is how the Republicans are corrupt warmongers against individual rights."

Yeah who was it that decided to take private property away in Kelo versus New London? Oh yeah it was the far left justices on the Supreme court. Well one of these days liberals will say something that has some truth to it. But I wouldn't hold my breath1

#2 — September 8, 2006 @ 14:48PM — Bob Jones

I honestly couldn't agree more.

It is getting ricilous with the democratic party, and their 'politics free' approach. Its just a mud slinging match to them.

The liberal media is far worse, often taking the view of 'an enemy of my enemy is a friend', they defend Iranian Presidents for goodness sakes.

Why does a liberal media prevail in a country that is mostly conservative? Its the same in the UK, the media is run by the liberal BBC when the country time and time again votes conservative.

#3 — September 8, 2006 @ 15:21PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

I don't think the problem is the liberals in the media or the conservatives. I think I basically made two points - one is that we shouldn't really care whether the media is liberal or conservative and we should be smart enough to filter out the difference.

The other point is that Democrats need to get their act together.

#4 — September 8, 2006 @ 15:23PM — dee

Did someone actually write goodness sakes up there? That's almost as funny as Rummy's my goodness when Clinton was ripping into him. I say thank god (even though there is no god) for the liberal media. The answer to your question as to whey the liberal media prevails is simple. Because liberal media tells the truth and that's what most people want. That's what I want, IN ALL CASES EVERYTIME. THE TRUTH. Fox news doesn't offer the truth. They offer propaganda. They tell you what to think and how to think rather than being objective. I'm smart enough to see through it, you are appartently not. Also, the country is not mostly conservative. The liberal states, altough less in number than the conservative states, are more populated. Therefore, in reality, which is hard for you neoclowns to realize, the country is more like split fifty fifty. Oh yeah, did I mention most conservatives blow.

#5 — September 8, 2006 @ 15:25PM — empath

Of course it isn't breaking news that Fox is conservative-leaning, but just try getting any of their reporters or execs to actually admit it. We all know that O'Reilly is a conservative, but just like the rest of the network he claims to be "independent". Yeah, right. Fox's tagline is "fair and balanced," and Outfoxed simply puts paid to that offensive conceit.

#6 — September 8, 2006 @ 15:48PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

Most conservatives blow? That's a liberal reporting the truth? Most conservatives blow? Tell me, are you a college student, in college democrats with a mean, mean young republicans club over there?

Most conservatives blow? I'm a liberal-leaning libertarian and even I thought that was dumb.THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH LIBERALS, they don't love being liveral, they hate conservatives.

Meanwhile, conservatives love being conservative.

Celebrate your values!

#7 — September 8, 2006 @ 16:04PM — dee

Your obviously not too bright. Let's see, I'm not delivering the news, therefore I don't have to tell the truth, therefore I can say conservatives suck and it doesn't matter if its the truth or not. Its my opinion stupid. I graduated college a while ago. Wrong, I absolutely love being liberal, its the only way to be for me, and part of that love is hating on you dumbazz neocons. It really depends on the issue though I do hold some conservative views on a few issues. I do hate most conservatives though you can do both love your "values" as you call them and hate someone else's its called multi tasking probably way over your feeble head.

PS - I think your dumb.

#8 — September 8, 2006 @ 16:35PM — Arch Conservative

Dee it's "you're obviously not too bright" not "your obviously not to bright." ANd it's "it's my opinion" not "its my opinion." Perhaps you should go back to school Dee.

If brains were chocolate you'd be unable to fill an M & M Dee. I mean there are some dim bulbs posting on BC but you definitely take the cake.

As for the liberal media..they are the ones in the proaganda business with their race baiting, class warfare ultra leftist nonsense.

"Also, the country is not mostly conservative. The liberal states, altough less in number than the conservative states, are more populated. Therefore, in reality, which is hard for you neoclowns to realize, the country is more like split fifty fifty. Oh yeah, did I mention most conservatives blow."


Another shining example of your mind boggling stupidity Dee. In fact the majority of the population is center to slightly right of center. Your more people live in the blue states argument is completely bogus as not as blue staters are liberals and not all red staters are conservatives. Also Bush won both the electoral college and popular vote in 2004. There are other examples that show we are not the leftist socilaist morons that you and your ilk would like us to be Dee. First of all is the rejection of universal healthcare. Hillary clinton couldnt get her universal healthplan passed because the American people weren't having any of it. Also most Americans are christians not aclu loving atheist christophobes. Most Americans also oppose gay marriage. Most Americans are not die hard abortion supporters. I could cite more examples but you're too stupid to see how they would reflect the sociopolitical views of mainstream America Dee.

#9 — September 8, 2006 @ 18:13PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

LIBERAL, anti-war, equality loving, liberal.

Conservatives are NOT stupid. They managed to take over the entire American government for the last eight years. How stupid can they possibly be?

Again, that's the problem with many Democrats. The problem isn't "stupid conservatives" who win all the time. The party needs to take responsibility for its own shortcomings.

#10 — September 8, 2006 @ 18:32PM — Peter J [URL]

Sometime being in the middle can be pretty cool,
I don't want to be a liberal and I don't want to be a conservative, I guess I'm about 50/50 of 60/40 or whatever.
When Michael Moore did Fahrenhiet 9/11 I could relate, I can't take bush, no way, so we were in agreement on that (I can't see how anyone can) but when he busted on Charlton Heston I wanted to kick his sorry, sod ass. I like guns and I like Heston and the only control I would agree to is a check out to be sure someone didn't escape the mental ward.

It's a blast watching 2 extremists , 1 liberal, 1 conservative, go apeshit on each other.
Of course there are liberal media and conservative media. That's how it needs to be but no matter which it is their job is to report the news, not make or createit.

I enjoy listenning to O'Reilly but when FOX reported erroneoosly that bush took Fl in 2000 before the count was even finished, causing other networks ( liberal? or stupid?)to follow suit and change their previous reports I was floored. What the fuck was wrong with these people? I was channel surfing the networks and CNN , all reporting Gore took Fl. then all of a sudden, 1 by 1 their all changing, how could all of these networks be wrong and what would sway them to go with the only other network to be reporting differently?

Now, before all the bush lovers (remember, not liking bush does not make you a liberal) jump up, consider if that scene were reversed. You'd be foaming at the mouth, not at all like the liberals , who just pussied out and let it all fall apart.

This is why I'm in the middle, for whatever good their is in one party is balanced out by their shit.
Extreme conservatives are blowhards, extreme left wingers are pussies.

Isn't there one blowhard pussy out there?

#11 — September 8, 2006 @ 18:43PM — dee

Arch [Edited] thankx for the grammer lessen. Its appreciated but I wasn't paying attention and making sure I spelled everything or used every work right unlike you I have other things to do in my life. You should consider teaching English as a career [Edited] No, neoclowns show the propaganda and smelly conservatives like yourself buy into it. Conservatives are [Edited] close minded and thankx for proving that with your abortion and gay marriage comments. Kill the embroyos who cares, its not your body [Edited]. Let the gays get married it will have zero effect on so called "traditional marriage." Conservatives suck because the promote hate and devision as you have just proved. [Edited] No my argument about population is absolutely true [Edited]. Bush stole the election, both times, he blows [Edited]

#12 — September 8, 2006 @ 18:48PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

Wow
You are actually a total and complete representation of every, single thing that's wrong with the left wing today. You didn't miss a single part!

Good job.

I never get into it like this with comment-people, but wow. I'm trying to say that the KEY to liberals taking over the White House is to focus on the GOOD Things about LIBERALS and not the bad things about conservatives. And you pop up.

Oh, and I may be socially liberal, but I'm Italian Catholic so think before you talk. You don't have to believe in anything, but I have the right to believe whatever I want.

#13 — September 8, 2006 @ 18:56PM — dee

No. I'm everything that is right with the left wing today. They need more people like me. Fuck the "good" things with everything that the current neocons have done to the country. Fight fire with fire. I can and will say everything that is bad with conservatives becasue that is exactly what they are. They are BAD for America. I'm socially liberal too, do think before I talk, but just don't care if your offended or not. I'm going to say what I want to say. I don't care if I hurt your feelings. And I'm not trying to take away your right to believe in a fake story. Go right ahead. Maybe if there was a push to close or burn all churches maybe then I would get worried but that's not happening. All I'm saying is wake up to the truth. Religion is a pharse. Also, I don't need you to OK my right to believe in evolution.

#14 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:01PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

Condoleeza Rice and Mitt Romney thank you for your support.

#15 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:08PM — Arch Conservative

Dee you are as vulgar as you are misinformed and ignorant.

You're quite pathetic actually...whining about how Bush stole the election.

guilfoil is has you pegged. It's people like you, elitist, deluded, bitter, left wing zealots suffering from superiority complexes that are why the dems can't win an election to save their lives.

You're so deluded and narcisstic that your two miniscule brain cells can't even get together long enough to realize that you're the minority and I'm the majority. Most Americans are not far left ignoramuses such as you. They are moderate or slightly conservative traditionalists. They do not need your rationalization of infanticide guised as "choice" nor do they need you to tell them how closed minded they are because they do not agree with every uber liberal talking point.

They do not believe in the ACLU sticking up for terrorists and bashing Christianity 24-7, they do not get excited at the prospect of an Iranian terrorist coming to speak in America, they do not go on and on about how inferior America is to other nations, and they sure as hell aren't going to vote for Hillary in 2008.

The sad thiong is that you don't get it and you never will Dee. You will still be on here bitching about how bad conservatives are after the dems fail to win congress back in nov and wwhen they lose the pres election in 2008.

#16 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:13PM — John Guilfoil [URL]

And there, my dear readers, we have case in point. The exact thing I have written about:

Liberals hope conservatives lose.

Conservatives know they are going to win.

#17 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:16PM — Arch Conservative

Well John if your side insists on running Hillary in 2008 I don't see how the GOP can lose. If you run someone else and run a John Kerry "at least we're not those awful repubs" campaign you will lose too.

#18 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:16PM — dee

We will see. Neoclowns are in denial. Its sooo fucking funny. Repubs. are going to get slammed in the upcoming midterms and the next presidential election. Your in denial. So what if I'm vulgar. Freedom of speech [Edited]. Conservatives like yourself are a dying breed. I love bashing Christianity, beleive in your lies [Edited]. Religion is made up. Its fake. Its a nice story. That's it. I love the ACLU and I think the former Iranian president should be able to come here. After all, the government gave him a visa didn't they? So who's sticking up for terrorists now? I wouldn't vote for Hillary either. And I don't want to "get" whatever it is your warped mind is pushing.

[Edited]

#19 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:20PM — Arch Conservative

Dee save it .............

I heard it from you moonbats in 2004 when Bush was going to lose so badly to Kerry.

The Dems may pick up a seat or two but they will not gain control of congress in nov and I will be here to gloat Dee.

#20 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:23PM — dee

No... you can't shut me up. Wake up, your in denial. Bush did lose to Kerry, our fucked up electoral system handed the election to king bush. They will gain control, of almost everything, except maybe not the senate. And I will be here to rub it in your [Edited] face.

#21 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:33PM — dee

CENSORSHIP SUCKS... ATTEMPT TO SILENCE ME

#22 — September 8, 2006 @ 19:55PM — Arch Conservative

UMMM no you're the one in denaial. Bush won because more people voted for him in the popular vote and he won the electoral college.

You're just such a meglomaniac that you refuse to believe that anyone you liked could have lost legitimately.

Come talk to me in mid nov Dee [Edited].

#23 — September 8, 2006 @ 21:01PM — Clavos

Also, I don't need you to OK my right to believe in evolution.

Funny how someone who is such a throwback to the Stone Age is such an ardent proponent of evolution.

Makes me want to change sides and start supporting ID.

#24 — September 8, 2006 @ 21:32PM — Peter J [URL]

Wow

#25 — September 9, 2006 @ 07:04AM — empath

I thought there were supposed to be no personal attacks here. Some of this "you're stupid," crap seems pretty darn personal. Nice debate, geniuses.

#26 — September 10, 2006 @ 11:10AM — JP

Wait. Let me get this straight: "The question liberals are asking themselves is not why shouldn't I vote for Republicans. The question is why SHOULD I vote for Democrats?" -- Aren't we talking about the party whose operatives (Hannity) are out there screaming "Vote for Republicans so Nancy Pelosi doesn't become Speaker!"?

As for a "viable plan" for Iraq, every plan the Democrats submit is attacked as "unviable" by Republicans if it doesn't match their own exactly: stay there until we "win," regardless of the fact that "win" is still undefined. There is no intellecutal honesty in continuing to argue that no alternatives have been presented.

#27 — October 16, 2006 @ 04:52AM — sam [URL]

perhaps it is true that outfoxed itself is liberally minded and perhaps most do realise that the Fos network is conservative propoganda without being told. however any person or company such as newscorp that has enough power to not only put out thier opinions but effectively change the truth needs ratting on anyway. television has become our greatest source for accessing the 'truth' and because not many of us have acces to first hand information what we are told essentially becomes the truth. all i can say is read George Orwell's 1984, watch outfoxed then try watching television. then try not to scream too loudly

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