Fawks isn't news and should no longer be labeled as such -- op-ed

[ificandream]

This article, which is a year old, pretty much lays out my feelings about Fawks. I also think more needs to be said like Hillary Clinton and Gavin Newsom did this week and make the public more aware of what that fake news outlet is doing to split this country apart. It may be the most dangerous enemy this country has besides Putin and Russia.
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It’s Time for Fox News to Stop Using the Misnomer ‘News’ in Its Channel Name
Variety/Michael Schneider
2/4/21

Remember when Fox News Channel launched in 1996 with the slogan “Fair and balanced”? Believe it or not, early on, the channel at least pretended to follow that idealistic goal, providing straight news during the day and balancing conservative voices with liberal ones on primetime opinion shows. Hell, even Sean Hannity shared a show with Alan Colmes, at least giving the impression of equal time.

But it was always a facade, with much of that “balance” more on paper than in reality. Colmes was there, but Hannity usually got the last word. Fox News was Rupert Murdoch’s and Roger Ailes’ attempt to shift the national conversation and muddy the waters of discourse in the nation — and it has been successful beyond their wildest dreams.

Eventually, Fox News dropped the “Fair and balanced” tagline — in a rare moment of acknowledgment that it was a lie — and moved deeper into the realm of preaching with the voice of the right wing. Hannity got his own show, and right-leaning commentary crept into all hours of the day. If you weren’t on board (see Shepard Smith), you were soon on the outs. By the time of the Trump administration, the network had moved on to full-blown propaganda, and not only served as a mouthpiece for Fox News but often set Trump’s agenda. The echo chamber became a cycle of Fox News hosts planting an idea, Trump running with it, and then Fox News reporting it as a Trump idea.

But even Fox News couldn’t ignore the reality of Trump’s loss at the polls in November. And that one spark of truth was enough for Trump and his followers to turn against their beloved network. As Trumpists started flocking to even more outlandish misinformation machines like Newsmax and OAN, Fox News decided not to stand by its reporting but instead double down on the noise.

Read more: https://variety.com/2021/voices/columns/fox-news-1234899836/

[CrispyQ]

1. Evidently there isn't any standard to meet to call yourself a news station.

From the FCC website:

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/fcc-and-freedom-speech

What is the FCC's Responsibility?

The FCC is barred by law from trying to prevent the broadcast of any point of view. The Communications Act prohibits the FCC from censoring broadcast material, in most cases, and from making any regulation that would interfere with freedom of speech. Expressions of views that do not involve a "clear and present danger of serious, substantive evil" come under the protection of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press and prevents suppression of these expressions by the FCC. According to an FCC opinion on this subject, "the public interest is best served by permitting free expression of views." This principle ensures that the most diverse and opposing opinions will be expressed, even though some may be highly offensive.

The FCC, however, does have enforcement responsibilities in certain limited instances. For example, the Courts have said that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution and cannot be banned entirely. It may be restricted, however, in order to avoid its broadcast when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience. Between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M. (when there is the greatest likelihood that children may be watching,) airing indecent material is prohibited by FCC rules. Broadcasters are required to schedule their programming accordingly or face enforcement action. Similarly, the Commission has stated that profane material is prohibited between 6 A.M. and 10 P.M.

Finally, the courts have ruled that obscene material is not protected by the First Amendment and cannot be broadcast at any time. For more information about these rules, see our consumer guide.

What Are the Broadcasters' Responsibilities?

Individual radio and television station licensees are responsible for selecting all broadcast matter and for determining how their stations can best serve their communities. Broadcast licensees are responsible for choosing both the entertainment programming and the programming concerning local issues, news, public affairs, religion, sports and other subjects to be aired by the station. They also decide how their programs, including call-in shows, will be conducted and whether or not to edit or reschedule programs or material (for example, moving a program to a time slot during which children may not be listening or watching).

[ificandream]

2. There are, but unfortunately you can't stop Fawks for lying about it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I don't get the "Fawks" joke.

"Faux" I can understand. But "Fawks" is just a surname (not even the name of the guy you tried to blow up the English parliament - that was "Fawkes" ). It makes your thread title incomprehensible.

[ificandream]

4. I don't like to spell their name.

I think for some people "Faux" doesn't connect to "Fox." That's all.