Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday May 30, 2012 aired a scathing review of the first three years of President Barack Obama's term in office, countering his "hope" and "change" motto with a series of "then and now" facts about the national debt, jobless rate, gas prices and more.
It is not a mystery to most of us that Fox News is a political operation pretending to be a news channel. In fact, we're pretty sure most of the country is aware of that fact.
There are, however, a few well-meaning intelligent people in the media who have defended Fox from the assertion that it's a political operation first. The Baltimore Sun's TV critic Dave Zurawik is one of those people.
After Fox News aired their 4-minute attack ad aimed at President Obama this morning (above), Zurawik changed his mind.
But as the guy who challenged the Obama administration two years when it tried to deny Fox News access to interviews and other opportunities offered to the media on the grounds that Fox was not a legitimate news operation, I have to tell you even I am shocked by how blatantly Fox is throwing off any pretense of being a journalistic entity with videos like this. Don't be fooled by Bret Baier's Boy Scout smile or all the talk about how some shows are news and some are opinion on the channel. Any news organization that puts up this kind of video is rotten to the core.
Zurawik's whole critique is really worth a read.
UPDATE: Brian Stelter of the NY Times reports on the fallout from the video...
The video was broadcast one day after Mitt Romney officially secured the Republican nomination for president, having picked up the necessary number of delegates after a long primary campaign season. Asked whether the Obama campaign viewed the Fox video as a Romney campaign ad in disguise, a spokesman declined to comment.
A spokeswoman for Fox News, which is run by the former Republican strategist Roger Ailes, did not respond to requests for interviews. However, when asked about Mr. Ailes, she said, “Roger was not aware of the video. ”



Every now and then, a blind squirrel finds an acorn.
Nno not william j. green again. and again with your unfounded lies. you must idolize fake news and the so called "NEWS" mongers
Faux news / propaganda is Rotten to the core = No-Sh!t !!!!!
What part of that add was not true? Go look at Media matters, the left wing fact check, and then try again at finding something false with that add.
Fox News add about President Obama. Funny. MSNBC saying Mitt doesn't have enough job experience to run the country. Funny. Ed Schultz and Rosie O'Donnell. Same person. MSNBC calling any other New Organization political. Priceless.
chemdmd its also funny that chris mathews and keith olbermann asked senator watson the very same thing before the last election about obama..to list any accomplishments obama had as a Senator..( check youtube for video) and he could not list one..even mathews was wondering. PRICELESS
And it's just as rotten on the left as it is on the right. I'll be happy the day they take Fox News off the air... as long as they remove MSNBC the same day. Both networks are ridiculously partisan to the core. The only difference is Fox actually runs a few legitimate CNN-esque news stories in between propaganda shows as "breaking news" while MSNBC abandoned all pretenses somewhere around the time Olbermann got fired for violating his contract and making illegal campaign contributions as a member of the press. Show me a time when MSNBC actually reported what's going in empirically instead of either talking about his right the Dems are or condemning someone for disagreeing with them. Show me a time when they report things without passion or prejudice as the news should be reported.
Yes, Fox is far too partisan in it's reporting. So is MSNBC. You want news? Watch the BBC. The rest of this is poorly acted theater for bigger fish.
I would say you're one of them. And they got you hooked.
So many of Obama's, Pelosi's and other prominent Democrats' OWN WORDS, and they all have come back to haunt them because they reveal how feckless, hypocritical and inept they are!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4157155246813&set=a.2405996148930.2147205.1221949455&type=3&theater
fux news-the propaganda arm of the repub/bagger party.
Hi Beth D = What - you just wanted to show your avatar ???? he he he !!!
Im confussed they showed video of Obama saying he would cut the deficit in half. Was that video doctored and he didnt say it? They showed video of him saying jobs would be # 1. However after the stimulus it was heath care # 1. Did Nancy not say that about food stamps? Fact of the matter is its not propaganda when its true. So unless the videos were doctored its not propaganda.
Suzzette: You sound really smart: "fux news-the propaganda arm of the repub/bagger party." Do you graduate from playground name calling to actual adult discussions, soon? Will there be a ceremony?
It's funny to watch the Democrats twist themselves into knots as they run away from the words spoken and actions taken by their own leaders to display their failures and hypocrisy. They cry about Fox News, but can't refute the message.... darn those inconvenient facts. You have CNN and MSNBC in the pockets of the Obama campaign; thank god for Fox "fair and balance". Obama is spouting for more "Hope & Change".
It isn't news. It's propaganda. Brought to you by the Fox Propaganda SuperPac.
But then, it isn't any sort of departure from their usual format.
Facts are facts and I hope Fox News keeps pounding the politicians with them daily. Unlike MSDNC that edits video and distorts the truth by taking statements out of context, or simply ignores the facts.
I agree
You apparently misunderstood the point of the article. But then, you're a Fox Propaganda watcher, and think their infotaintment is news.
Well he thinks Hillery is behind the birther movement because chain e mails showed up at her headquarters from unknown sources. Cause you know democrats send chain e mails just like the tea baggers do. Oh good lord are these people a joke on humanity.
oh wacko you just cracke me up FOX NEWS IS FAIR AND BALANCED really
It's a well known fact according to many sources - left and right - that Hillary Clinton supporters initiated the Obama "Birther" movement because they were desperate to create a wedge issue once they realized his campaign was real and passing them by. I love the irony in this - a video from MSNBC! Again, the racist birther issue was initiated by Democrats and Progressives. You people! youtube.com/watch?v=KJU37U5_rbc
wack - excuse me - Who is making this a wedge issue ????? Tell US just Who is making this a wedge issue ????? maybe someday you will Think and Realize just what you Spew About !!! Maybe ???
This comes from an MSNBC host who said he wanted to rip Dick Cheney's heart out and stomp on it.
As if MSNBC is a true news media outlet, they are more one sided and left leaning than any other channel.
Well of course but really you need professional help your delusions are getting the better of you.
everybody knows that MSNBC leans to the left-but they are NOT the propaganda arm of the democratic party like fox is to the repubs.
to stacy you are really are there with the right wing-nuts aren't you. the only ones doing the propoganda is the repukes and fake news. none of them would know the truth and right reporting if it hit upside their heads
uhm..yeah ok. and ed schultz has awards for journalistic integrity doesnt he.
MSNBC must have a clause in their employee contracts,
" investigate the days news".
" Put your spin , twist, personal politics ( as long as its far left ) on it and praise democrats no matter what."
" Look the other way when the editing dept edits video or transcripts to make events appear anti democratic, racist, or anti-women".
" depending on our station ratings, only mention stolen Fox News clips we air every ten minutes."
" when the spins get boring, impress on the gullible viewers the feeling that Bill O'reilly is actually Satan".
True dat. But that's one host, not a statement by the network.
What about Martin Bashir, Rachel Maddow, do you consider them news anchors or hosts? Do you think they bring the real, true news to the public?
I think the article is about the network, not a "Post your favorite rant here" opportunity.
Check out "TV by the Numbers" to look at the Cable News Channel ratings each month and you will see what an irrelevant joke MSNBC has become based on their one sided pro-Obama perspectives. I think Chris Mathews still gets a thrill running up his leg when he sees Obama. America has spoken.
That is what I am referring to. Comparing one network with another. Of course MSNBC watchers don't like Fox and vise versa. I do watch both and they both have their good and their bad. If Fox & Friends made this ad, then yes I will say they are wrong. If they are showing an ad that someone else made, that is fine.
Try reading the article. Fox produced it, and is passing it off as "news."
IF fox and friends made this ad? how about if FNC made this ad, and fox and friends plays the ad?
fox "news" channel made the ad, and you can be sure that other fox news shows will be playing the ad, especially HANNITY.
this "ad" is completely in line with their stance as the propaganda arm of the repub/bagger party.
and with gretchen carlson's implants and legs front and center, we get another view of the rampant sexism and exploitation of fox's female "reporters".
another sign of fascism.
More the sign of a male audience.
Are we saying that the videos were fake? Unless they were its facts that they showed, Obama was caught on tape saying the deficit would be cut in half, Did he not say that? Did he not say that jobs was #1 and then spend the first year on health care law that is now in the highest court in the land because nobody read it. Was that not Nancy saying that food stamps were the best way to stimulate the economy. Im sorry but unless those videos are complete fake that is not propaganda when he was caught on tape.
Are you not a fool? Are you not a moron? Are you not a jerk? You've proven it many times over. It must be true.
Regadless of what I am these vidoes are facts and to call them propaganda makes you a bigger fool, moron and a jerk. Only a complete idiot with no sense whatsoever would call these vidoes propaganda. Its Obama on tape fools the tapes are real and they were show on MSNBC, CNN and all of the channels as well. He actualy did say these things. Nancy did indeed say that food stamps would stimulate the economy. So Chris you are a real idiot not to know these tapes are fact.
Fox news wouldn't know a fact if it jumped up and slapped it. What a joke ! They have even stopped trying to pretend to report the news..Now they have started playing a form of " trivia " game instead..Idiots !
Well, they make trivial points.
Its video of Obama saying these things, that is fact We all watched it fact. Unless the video was fake its all true. Somebody explain why it not true, are we saying that the video footage is fake?
We've all read your comments. We can see you're an idiot. The facts speak for themselves.
I may be but I do know what the definition of propaganda is. Saying that the vidoes are not fact is propaganda, These vidoes show Obama actualy really saying thes things. So by you saying that these vidoes is propaganda in fact is propaganda itself. See you guys are committing propaganda because these videos were real. Im sorry but this is a fact, it really makes you look very very stupid to say that these actually factual vidoes is propaganda. The only way it would be propaganda would be if the vidoes are fake. So you can call me whatever you want facts are facts. Its not propaganda when its facts.
Hallelujah!
see between right and the left and vote for good not evil do your reseach before voting
shut up
Another classy and informative response from the wacky left.
Another classy and informative response from the Wacky Wrong !!! what - Faux propaganda Sux !!!
I see wacko has joined the rightie name calling group. Still shows the empty air between the ears. But then, all his comments have done that. And just FYI wacko, MSNBC states it is a left leaning political network. The name Fox News states it's a news network. It has no clue what news, truth or facts are. It only takes 10 min. and some common sense to know what kind of people are on. Fox Lies.
Fox News is nothing but the bully boy propaganda arm for corporate fascism in this country. They lead the charge against voters rights, clean air and water, democracy and free speech every chance they get, not letting for one second anything resembling facts getting in their way, calling their hate speech free speech. Herman Goebbels couldn't have done a better job. Anyone with only a couple of rational brain cells can see this. Those that can't, won't. Are you a "Good German?" It's past time to take them down. Their bosses, Rush Limbaugh and Rupert Murdoch, should be sent to prison for treason and sedition, their assest seized, and the keys thrown away. We're tired of that 1% telling us how it's going to be, therefore, if this coming election is stolen again (remember 200 and 2004, we that actually believe in our constitution, rather than using it as a fake talking point, should be prepared to take up arms to protect our democracy.
Take up arms? Against what? Drones, tanks, and nuclear weapons??
Fox trash news ( LOL ) for white trash
from you pic, u look a tad trashy there sugar dumplin. Look like you waer a friend of maddow thirt too.
And once again the rightie can't think of anything so just start calling names. More empty air.
Fox news is nothing more than a right wing propaganda machine. All they know is attacking people. Cases in point, Trayvon Martin and Sandra Fluke and I'm sure there are a whole lot more.
holy smokes..MSNBC really does have you brainwashed.." All they know is attacking people"??? are you serious? that is all MSNBC does!!
Apparently you've never caught it when they cut from a set show to an actual news desk and report actual breaking news. I can understand the confusion because MSNBC never cuts away from its own propaganda to acknowledge the rest of the world unless it fits into their agenda.
And as for who is worse? Why can Bill O'reilly and Jon Stewart maintain a comfortable antagonism bordering on something you'd see in a buddy cop show while appearing on each others' shows but I have never seen one instance (other than Sharpton who is more of a public figure than a TV host) where MSNBC hosts would volunteer to go on a Fox show to defend their points of view?
STUDY: Watching Only Fox News Makes You Less Informed Than Watching No News At All
Michael Kelley | May 22, 2012, 5:26 PM
Media outlets such as Fox News and MSNBC have a negative impact on people's current events knowledge while NPR and Sunday morning political talk shows are the most informative sources of news, according to Fairleigh Dickinson University's newest PublicMind survey.
Researchers asked 1,185 random nationwide respondents what news sources they had consumed in the past week and then asked them questions about events in the U.S. and abroad.
On average, people correctly answered 1.6 of 5 questions about domestic affairs.
Because the aim of the study was to isolate the effects of each type of news source, they then controlled for variables such as other news sources, partisanship, education and other demographic factors.
They found that someone who watched only Fox News would be expected to answer 1.04 domestic questions correctly compared to 1.22 for those who watched no news at all. Those watching only "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" answered 1.42 questions correctly and people who only listened to NPR or only watched Sunday morning political talk shows answered 1.51 questions correctly.
In terms of international news, people correctly answered an average of 1.8 of 4 questions.
With all else being equal, people who watched no news were expected to answer 1.28 correctly; those watching only Sunday morning shows figured at 1.52; those watching only "The Daily Show" figured at 1.60; and those just listening to NPR were expected to correctly answer 1.97 international questions.
Those watching only MSNBC were expected to correctly answer only 1.23 out of 4, while viewers of only Fox News figured at 1.08. The study noted that the effects of Fox News, MSNBC and talk radio depended on the ideology of the consumer.
"Ideological news sources, like Fox and MSNBC, are really just talking to one audience," Political scientist and poll analyst Dan Cassino said in a press release. "This is solid evidence that if you're not in that audience, you're not going to get anything out of watching them."
Thus, those who watched no news—answering questions by guessing or relying on existing knowledge—fared much better than those who watched the most popular 24-hour cable news network (i.e. Fox News).
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/study-watching-fox-news-makes-you-less-informed-than-watching-no-news-at-all-2012-5#ixzz1wNqrtmAb
this is funny ( FOX NEWS ) == HA HA LOL HAHA LOL LOL HAHA TRASH
I suppose you like MSNBC..... the most liberal news there is, a buch of non Journalist.
And just how many journalists are on Fox Lies? MSNBC host have never claimed to be journalist. Some have said they are not journalists. But you wouldn't know a real journalist.
The world was a better place before FauxNews! Nuffsaid!
John Stewart viewers get more news then the Fox news viewer, sad that these people try to claim they are exceptional isn't it.
If they don't, who will?
the world will be a better place when MSNBC folds and the propraganda artists will crawl back to therapy sessions..what the rest of you clowns that fawn over it will do...who the heck cares...fall of the face of the earth..the rest of us will be better off..
whomitmay, yes they do. They also get more news than they do from MSNBC. I especially like how Stewart calls Ed on his BS when Ed crosses the lines of sanity and good taste.
Fox News is Disgusting ! How any body can watch this reality TV show is beyond me and they dare to call it news ! When you deliberately do what they do it should be banned! We can all hope as they investigate Rupert Murdock they look at the barrage of insults and lies spread each day by FOX. This is propaganda and the Re pubs and Tea Party crank it out. They should be tried for character assignation and be held accountable for sensationalized news.
The MSNBC The Ed Show only gets less than 1/2 the ratings than the Fox Bill O'Reilly show according to independent "TV by the Numbers". America woke up and is now learning the truth while you have flunkies like Keith Olbermann that gets fired and runs to Gore Current TV, and gets fired again! Truth is Beautiful!
Please, NBC did a whole show hyping Obama..... the media is so liberal. MSNBC is not Journalism,
Really? 89% of ALL media outlets are owned by conservatives. MSNBC is 50% owned by a right conservative.
But you never say why he was fired. Any clue or just want to irritate people? And just what does that have to do with this topic? I'm sorry. I forgot you just want to use MSNBC blogs to bitch about MSNBC.
oh my dear wacko you are completely are whacked if you really believe that crap about hillary and the birther issue,besides the repukes keep bringing it up with plenty of help from your beloved fake news.
I find this rather telling:
Net
8PM
P2+ (000s)
25-54 (000s)
35-64 (000s)
FNC
THE OREILLY FACTOR
2,452
534
930
CNN
Anderson Cooper 360
295
121
133
MSNBC
Ed Show
693
197
329
CNBC
60 Minutes ON CNBC
190
82
101
HLN
HLN LOCAL EDITION
265
115
169
And this is always a kick in the pants:
According to Pew, 53 percent of MSNBC's viewers identify themselves as Democrats, compared to 47 percent at CNN and 21 percent at Fox News. Applying those percentages to the August Nielsen ratings, it means that the average number of Democrats watching Fox News is 214,200. MSNBC has 199,810 Democrats, and CNN 179,070.*
Hey just proves that liberals have a good sense of humor. Doesn't mean they agree. No liberal in their RIGHT mind would support fascism.
The Democrats are DESPERATE to make the 'birther' issue and Rev Wright an issue again leading up to November as witnessed by The Ed Show forum and MSDNC. You don't see anyone in the Romney campaign bringing up this issue; only the left in order to *try* and look the "victim". Trying to take a page from the professional race pimps, aka "Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton" aka MSDNC talking heads.
Go see how Britian feels about the Murdock empire, Canada wouldn't let Murdock in their country, Fox puts palm trees in wisconsin in the winter and says look at the people for walker, only to be a video of a rally in calif. Fox won a court case in Florida that they can lie on their news. Google it, then believe everything fox tells youi. England doesn't. Oh and the fire storm in England just might have jumped the atlantic, Murdocks trouble just might be in the USA too. It's all there google it and read.
Uh, Keesha, let me clue you in on a widely known fact: FOX is available on numerous providers throughout Canada. See, if you watched Fox, you would know this. You can google the Canadian Fox channels, if you're ever in Canada. Just a traveling tip for you.
I have family in Canada and always watch FOX while visiting them in.... Canada. While COMCAST drops MSDNC shows...
Funny how you, Conservatives, love to point to the ratings of Faux News are stellar! Conservatives in general watch Faux News, almost exclusively. Thus higher rating for the Faux News.
However, Democrats & Independents (I am an Indie) watch a VARIETY of news channels, and listen to NPR, also, watch PBS news show. Which explains why the say, MSNBC, does not beat Faux News in ratings. We, the sane people, like to hear from all sides, not just one.
Uhhh: What supports your theory that Conservs only watch Fox? I surf just like you. However, my "Main" channel is Fox. I can tell you all about every other news show, too. From Meet the Press to the Ed Show.
Ratings are not based on "What is the only station you watch."
Keep USDA inspectors and our food safe. Petition
http://wh.gov/EAQ
Seems the people on here that defend Fox doesn't keep up with the news. Murdock's empire is falling in England because of his corruption and the power Murdock has ove the politicians in England. The facts are the facts and the truth is the truth, at least England finally got it right and is after this slime ball murdock and his son.
I still dont understand was the vidoe of Obama saying these things not true. Did he say he was going to cut the deficit in half? Did he say that jobs were #1? Did Nancy not say that food stamps were the best way to stimulate the economy? Its on video so unless its a fake video they did say these things right? He ended up not cutting the deficit in half or has he? So just exactly what is the lie in this? Sombody please point out the lies in this ad here.
Fox has never been nothng more than a televised tabloid, much along the same lines of any national rag sold at checkout lines nationwide.........wonder what they will do if the R's win this time and it really turns to @!$%# like it was before......what will they do then? eat their young?
Still confused are the videos fake. Was that not Obama in these videos?
...............And more Democrats watch Fox than any other station. So: All the "Fox" comments above are relevant How? That's what I thought. Good night.
I am a Democrat and I do go to Fox for about 2 or 3 minutes( it is all I can stand) but I like to see how they are going to spin things in the news. MSNBC pundits admit whether they are Liberal or Conservative, just like CNN in the morning. They do have people on from both sides of the issue and debate things. Now Fox is another animal, the say they are fair and balanced, which we all know they are on the Conservative side of everything. Which is fine, but quit trying to lie about it, everyone knows. We all know how much you hate Obama and that you will lie, distort, call him names, do anything to show your hatred, so just be honest about it. And people who follow you in your dishonesty are no better. There is a reason Rachael Maddow can't get Republicans to come on her show, she is so much smarter than any of them, and she does her homework, and call them out on their lies and half truths. They are afraid of her. If she says something that is untrue and it is pointed out to her, she comes on and corrects it, if it is indeed incorrect. You can't compare these shows to Fox, because there is no comparison.
Im still confussed were these videos fake?
Bette, AL Sharpton has been on several Fox news shows over the years, including regular panels with Hannity, before he signed a contract with MSNBC. How is that not bringing in a liberal perspective again?
I'd like to expand on what Bette (above) said regarding MSNBC being more well rounded than FOX.
MSNBC has Morning Joe in the morning featuring Joe Scarborough, a former Florida Republican Congressman and self-professed "small government conservative". They have associations with former RNC Chair Michael Steele and former McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt as analysts, as well as associations with several other former Republican notables. Until recently Pat Buchanan was an MSNBC analyst.
Their prime time talk shows (i.e. Rachael Maddow, Ed Schultz, Lawrence O'Donnell) come from a left-of-center perspective, but they bring in Republican guests and engage in constructive debate.
What about FOX? To the best of my knowledge, their hosts (Hannity, O'Reilly, Kelly, the FOX and Friends cast) rarely, if ever, engage in debate with opposing political figures. All these hosts have other conservatives on their shows as guests and the discourse is always a one-way diatribe against "tax & spend liberals", Obama, Pelosi, et. al. I don't watch either FOX or MSNBC because I don't have a television set, but I canvass Youtube to see what Hannity et. al. are saying, and I canvass MSNBC's website mainly for news (yes, they DO do news) and often visit the talk shows (Morning Joe, O'Donnell, Maddow and others). I am unaligned with any political ideology, so I can be fair when I say that FOX qualifies as propaganda, while MSNBC not so much.
The Five, the show that replaced Glenn Beck, has democratic strategist Bob Beckel as one of its regular daily panel. They have had Al Sharpton on more than one show several times until he signed with MSNBC as a commentator and Jon Stewart has been on Bill O'reilly's show several times (and vice versa.) They seem fine with booking a liberal guest when they can get one.
In fact, here's a secret... having controversial guests like that would equal bigger ratings, and therefore more money. I think they would be fine with it for just that reason.
Russel: You have not watched enough of Fox, then. Shep Smith, Cavuto, Megyn, etc. have a liberal guest EVERY DAY. It is rare to see a debate on a topic during any of these shows without have Both Sides. ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE HAS NOT WATCHED FOX OR IS LYING. I have Fox on eight hours a day while I work. I hear liberal's presenting their views ALL DAY LONG.
i sometimes watch megan kelly and also watch bill o'reilly, hannity, and greta van sustren nightly.
o'reilly does have liberal guests on his show, most of whom he's able to talk over and bully. a few exceptions are princeton professor marc lamont hill ,who he once insulted by saying he looked like a drug dealer, cornell west and travis smiley.
fox many times has liberal guests that are still carrying the torch for hillary clinton, like kirsten powell and several other president obama hating libs, who put him down nearly as much as the right wingers. this is worse than having no liberal representation at all.
other left wing regulars such as juan williams and bob beckel can't debate their way out of a ripped paper bag.
tonight on the show 'the five' one of the short skirted six inch heeled women was going on and on disparagingly about how john edwards political career should be totally finished for cheating on his wife who had cancer. instead of swiping back with eye of 'newt' bob beckel throws out dem elliot spitser.
it's as though beckel and williams are afraid of pushing back too hard on the right wingers for fear of losing their positions.
I agree with Jon Stewarts comment with regards to Fox news: "Fox news undermines the role of an independent press by constantly whining that any reportage that deviates from a staunch conservative narrative is bias, while at the same time filling the editorial vacuum that that creates by building a conservative propaganda
juggernaut in the guise of a news organization – and the chairman Roger Ailes fanatically micro-manages this media fiefdom where his own far right agenda and personal sense of victimhood drive every aspect of the operation and then the real irony he calls it, “ balanced.”