Letter from David Brock to Rupert Murdoch

[quaoar]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200504200004

April 20, 2005

Rupert Murdoch
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Fox Broadcasting Company
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-8799

Dear Mr. Murdoch:

I was intrigued to read your recent statement to World Screen magazine about alleged conservative bias at the Fox News Channel. "We are fair and balanced and we challenge anyone to show Fox News has any bias in it," you said.

My organization, Media Matters for America, has been monitoring the U.S. media, including Fox News, for nearly a year. We try to avoid using the term "bias" in describing news coverage, preferring to focus on the observable content of news stories, rather than try to discern the private attitudes of those who produce them, which amounts to speculation. Still, we can't help noticing a pronounced rightward tilt in your channel's news programs.

Attached you'll find just a few of the many examples that Media Matters has compiled, which demonstrate that conservative voices on Fox far outnumber progressive voices; that Fox anchors, reporters, and ostensibly non-ideological guests routinely inject pro-Republican opinion into "news" programs; and that even Fox's "hard news" anchors and reporters regularly distort the news to further the GOP agenda.

Many more examples of Fox News' promotion of conservative misinformation can be found on the Media Matters website.

Finally, Media Matters responds with a challenge of its own: Because we suspect your challenge was rhetorical, rather than a reflection of a sincere desire to assess Fox News' "balance," I suggest submitting these examples to a mutually-agreed-upon panel for review. Let's let a neutral body, rather than the CEO of Fox News' parent company, decide if Fox News "has any bias in it."

Sincerely,

David Brock
President & CEO
Media Matters for America

cc: Roger Ailes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fox News Channel


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Here are some examples of Fox News' advancement of conservative opinion and misinformation:

Imbalance: Conservatives outnumber progressives

Hannity & Colmes' Schiavo case guest list not "fair and balanced"
Hannity & Colmes repeatedly featured Minuteman Project organizers and supporters, with almost no opposing viewpoint
Special Report's solo interviews reserved for "liberals" with conservative views
FOX aired 48 minutes more (20 percent) of RNC speeches than of DNC speeches (Even Fox News host Cal Thomas seemed to agree this fails the "fair and balanced" test)
Dems invisible in Fox News Channel Bush speech coverage
Unfairness: Injecting pro-GOP and conservative opinion at every opportunity

Fox News doctors AP reports to mimic White House terminology
Fox & Friends anchors heaped insults on Democrats during inauguration coverage
Fox's Kerry-bashing real estate agent
On Fox: "I really haven't heard anything negative about John Negroponte"
Cameron's fake Kerry story capped Fox commentators' manicure fixation
Led by Fox, "hard news" anchors on cable injected opinion into Schiavo coverage
33 internal editorial memos reviewed by Media Matters reveal Fox News Channel's inner workings
Inaccuracy: "Hard news" reporters make false claims

Distorting FDR: Bennett and Hume claimed father of Social Security system wanted privatization
Fox News reporter echoed Hannity's misleading claims on ANWR drilling
Hume accused Kerry of lying about Vietnam

[Roland99]

1. Reminds me of the quip...

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, is there still sound?



If Murdoch is provided with the truth, will he not only see it but acknowledge it?

[quiet.american]

2. Just finished "Blinded by the Right"

Have to give it to David Brock -- he's come a long way, baby.

[Maat]

3. That's what got me into funding my progressive causes ...

leading to my involvement in the Dean campaign, the Kerry Campaign, and now, Democracy for America.

I read his book and knew that I had to take action.

[quiet.american]

4. I'll bet inspiring a progressive is one thing Brock couldn't see coming --

-- back in the day!

Cheers to you and him.

[Maat]

7. Thanks! And cheers right back to a fellow progressive.

He and his dad were really close before his dad died, and that touched me deeply as an adoptive parent.

It sure took a great deal of courage for him to realize what was right, fight for it, and live it. He has my deepest respect.

[quiet.american]

11. Agreed -- and I was glad he and his dad grew closer, too! n/t

[kweerwolf]

9. Try his latest book, "The Republican Noise Machine"

It's a fascinating look at how conservatives managed to move the media to the right. Very frightening, considering that Brock has "been there, seen that."

I enjoyed "Blinded by the Right," but I had to shake my head in amazement a few times when reading about how Brock came out and was surprised to discover Republicans really do hate gays. D'uh!

[quiet.american]

12. I had to chuckle at that, too --

-- but one thing I admired about the book is that at each plateau he quite honestly acknowledged how even he couldn't believe how delusional/in denial/repressed he was. At some points, it was like being a fly on the wall during a therapy session.

But, I do admire his honesty. Most people aren't that honest in private, let alone in a book meant for mass consumption.

(Republican Noise Machine is on my list to get as well.) :)

[applegrove]

5. He should resubmit the letter until he gets a responce. n/t

[Totally Committed]

6. Outstanding...

I agree he should re-submit until he gets and answer.

TC

[bunkerbuster1]

8. It'll be like waiting for Brit Hume to acknowledge his misquoting of FDR

and any number of other RW wimpouts.

Rupert's a liar and a cheat, and he'll never answer these charges.

BTW, there's absolutely NO TRUTH to the rumor that he financed McVeigh and Nichols to do the OKC bombing. So don't spread that rumor about Rupert Murdoch financing those terrorists, OK? because That Would Be Wrong.

[LatePeriduct]

10. Rupert Murdoch, you lying shill..

I think your friends have called for you again.

http://www.yuricareport.com