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Fox teas up a tempest (the Beltway is pouting, FNC slammed)
Politico ^ | 4-15-09 | Michael Calderone

Posted on 04/15/2009 9:59:33 PM PDT by STARWISE

On “America’s Newsroom” Wednesday morning, Fox News host Megyn Kelly declared that “it’s tea party time, from sea to shining sea.” A short while later, “anti-tax tea parties” rose to the top of the network’s Hot List.

In between, Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins — who earlier this week donned colonial garb as he traced the history of the tea party movement — reported on a tea party protest in Washington’s Lafayette Park.

Meanwhile, Fox hosts Neil Cavuto, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren were all preparing for their own on-the-scene reports from tea parties around the country.

Protesters gather outside of the White House. Protesters gather outside of the White House. Photo: AP

On “America’s Newsroom” Wednesday morning, Fox News host Megyn Kelly declared that “it’s tea party time, from sea to shining sea.” A short while later, “anti-tax tea parties” rose to the top of the network’s Hot List.

In between, Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins — who earlier this week donned colonial garb as he traced the history of the tea party movement — reported on a tea party protest in Washington’s Lafayette Park. Meanwhile, Fox hosts Neil Cavuto, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren were all preparing for their own on-the-scene reports from tea parties around the country.

“Can’t get to a tea party?” Fox’s Bill Hemmer asked viewers the other day. “Fox Nation hosts a virtual tea party — you can check it out on the site, a location of a tea party in your area.”

Nobody’s covering the tea parties quite like Fox — and that’s prompting critics and cable news competitors to say that the network is blurring the line between journalism and advocacy.

“Fox appears to be promoting these events at the same time it is presenting them in a way that looks like reporting,” said Stephen Burgard, director of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism. See Also

* Tea parties take to D.C.

Burgard called the practice “pseudo-journalism,” adding: “We have seen this before from Fox News Channel, but its role as galvanizer of opposition to President Obama's policies and leadership posture appears to be emerging.”

A Fox spokesperson said the network did not have an executive available to speak about its tea party coverage. A second Fox representative declined repeated offers to address the charge that it was blurring the lines between journalism and advocacy.

While tea party organizers say their movement is nonpartisan, the protests lean hard to the right: Newt Gingrich and Michelle Malkin are on board, as is Freedom Works, an organization run by former Republican Majority Leader Dick Armey. And more than a dozen prominent Republicans were set to participate in tea party protests Wednesday, including South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and a slew of other Republicans from Congress.

While Fox has obsessively covered the tea party plans for days, CNN and MSNBC have given the protests scant mention. Indeed, MSNBC’s on-air personalities have taken to mocking Fox for its tea party attention — reveling in double entendres and juvenile jokes.

On Tuesday’s “Countdown,” Keith Olbermann played clips of Fox personalities talking up tea parties. “As ever,” he said, Fox was “showing both sides ‘fair and balanced’ — supporting the tea baggers and sponsoring the tea baggers.”

Similarly, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said that “our colleagues at Fox News are not just reporting on tea bagging, they are officially promoting it."

~~~ Rest at link.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government
KEYWORDS: cnn; fnc; foxnews; lamestreams; media; msnbc; olbermann; rachelmaddow; taxday; teaparty
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ROFL. What pathetic, jealous, sniveling dweebs. They promote 0 24/7, but outraged Americans and FNC are the bad guys.

Including the 'journalist' - Michael Calderone:


1 posted on 04/15/2009 9:59:34 PM PDT by STARWISE
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To: STARWISE

Who’s the dude that Olberman interviewing? :)


2 posted on 04/15/2009 10:00:58 PM PDT by ABQHispConservative (A Blue Dog Democrat is an oxyMoron!)
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To: ABQHispConservative

;)


3 posted on 04/15/2009 10:01:37 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (LIBS-STILL) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war- Richard Miniter)
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To: STARWISE

Uh oh the lesbian is in attack mode!


4 posted on 04/15/2009 10:02:41 PM PDT by Maelstorm
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To: STARWISE
CNN is just reporting it too. :)
5 posted on 04/15/2009 10:03:08 PM PDT by Tzimisce (http://groups.myspace.com/nailthemessiah)
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To: Tzimisce

She was outrageous ... very unseemly behavior
for an alleged reporter.


6 posted on 04/15/2009 10:05:53 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (LIBS-STILL) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war- Richard Miniter)
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To: STARWISE
 

7 posted on 04/15/2009 10:06:41 PM PDT by Salvation ( †With God all things are possible.†)
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To: STARWISE

Nobody’s covering the tea parties quite like Fox — and that’s prompting critics and cable news competitors to say that the network is blurring the line between journalism and advocacy.

“Fox appears to be promoting these events at the same time it is presenting them in a way that looks like reporting,” said Stephen Burgard, director of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism. See Also

* Tea parties take to D.C.

Burgard called the practice “pseudo-journalism,” adding: “We have seen this before from Fox News Channel, but its role as galvanizer of opposition to President Obama’s policies and leadership posture appears to be emerging.”

A Fox spokesperson said the network did not have an executive available to speak about its tea party coverage. A second Fox representative declined repeated offers to address the charge that it was blurring the lines between journalism and advocacy.

On Tuesday’s “Countdown,” Keith Olbermann played clips of Fox personalities talking up tea parties. “As ever,” he said, Fox was “showing both sides ‘fair and balanced’ — supporting the tea baggers and sponsoring the tea baggers.”

Similarly, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said that “our colleagues at Fox News are not just reporting on tea bagging, they are officially promoting it.”


If this wasn’t so pathetic, it would be commical. Funny how they have selective senility when it comes to their OWN ELECTION COVERAGE.


8 posted on 04/15/2009 10:07:46 PM PDT by Freedom56v2 (Wonder if our founding fathers would even recognize the USA?!)
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To: STARWISE

Beck's show with Nugent LIVE at the Alamo was great. They've got to do something like that again. Picking up the lead from Huckabee's show with live music.

9 posted on 04/15/2009 10:08:07 PM PDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity
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To: STARWISE

Interesting to note that the term “tea bagging” was flung about. Interesting that conservatives never thought about the term (I don’t know what it means and am not interested enought to look it up) but all the liberal press if flinging it about & they all do seeem to be familiar with it.


10 posted on 04/15/2009 10:08:35 PM PDT by Bhoy (TEA PARTY ON!)
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To: STARWISE

There were several thousands in Olympia, WA - right on the steps of the Legislative building.

The TEA parties are a solid start. But we, the people, have to follow up by having “Push Back Until” events later this year, early next year, and for as long as we have to: http://pushbackuntil.com.

It will not be easy, but how interested are we in saving our country from an irresponsible Congress? If we, the people, do nothing, our country is finished.

“Be in D.C. to Push Back Until!”


11 posted on 04/15/2009 10:08:43 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives countless, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: STARWISE

We had hundreds show up in Bakersfield . And 5 lefties. One lefty had a freedom works sign. I never heard of them. To the lefties mind that was the dark phantom behind this right wing evil. I made it point to take lots of pictures because I frankly was not counting on ANY media coverage.


12 posted on 04/15/2009 10:10:01 PM PDT by Nateman (He is Pres__ent Hussein until I see some id .)
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To: STARWISE

So, because Fox carried Obama’s speeches today and yesterday, they are advocating for Obama? /s


13 posted on 04/15/2009 10:10:14 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade, There are only two sides. Pick one.)
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To: ABQHispConservative

Nice looking young man.


14 posted on 04/15/2009 10:10:29 PM PDT by Semper Mark (Extreme Right-Wing Extremist)
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To: STARWISE
......and that’s prompting critics and cable news competitors to say that the network is blurring the line between journalism and advocacy.

Right - just like all those critics who were prompted to say that MSNBCNNBCBSABC blurred the lines between journalism and advocacy during the campaign.

Pathetic is not a strong enough word to describe these scum.

15 posted on 04/15/2009 10:11:49 PM PDT by capydick (''Life's tough.......it's even tougher if you're stupid.'')
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To: STARWISE

“Nobody’s covering the tea parties quite like Fox — and that’s prompting critics and cable news competitors to say that the network is blurring the line between journalism and advocacy.

“Fox appears to be promoting these events at the same time it is presenting them in a way that looks like reporting,” said Stephen Burgard, director of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism.”

Holy f’in crap. Here is a grass roots movement, and it is clearly grass roots because there is no celebrity presence trying to hijack these things, springing up in dozens and dozens of cities. But it’s not newsworthy, oh no, not unless these elites, these paragons of journalism deem it so and bless it as proper. Because you see, they’ve made up their minds that these just have to be right wing nutjobs attending these things, and hey, what’s this, the grounds weren’t trashed with 375 pounds of Doritos wrappers and Coke cans and plastic water bottles? What the hell, who are these disruptive protesters, what the hell do they think they’re doing? You mean we were wrong about them? Not possible, we know everything!

And here’s this so-called journalism professor who just has to get his sniveling little pissass two cent jab in. And “it looks like reporting?” What a completely worthless turd. How would you know, you stinking POS? What, does it seem a little...strange to have actual reporters on a scene, interviewing the participants? Who got off their asses and out of their chairs? Wow, what a concept. Does this mean that there’s a little window of possibility for journalism where you won’t be able to just sit on your ass and cut and paste comments from Kos or Huffington? Too bad, s**thead.


16 posted on 04/15/2009 10:20:16 PM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (Mr. Bernanke, have you started working on your book about the second GREATER depression?")
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To: STARWISE

I turned to CNN tonight to see for myself what they were saying about the tea parties. Rachel Maddow’s show was on. I’ve never watched her show before. Her behavior was disgusting. And her “report” was very biased.


17 posted on 04/15/2009 10:20:41 PM PDT by Tired of Taxes (Dad, I will always think of you.)
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To: STARWISE

Folks...it is a grand time when the major media start poo-pooing these anti-spending parties. We should be rejoice! The only time that this would get coverage is to demean - so let them have at it - it just generates news! They are not going to be able to spin this their way regardless of their attempts so just enjoy...


18 posted on 04/15/2009 10:21:01 PM PDT by Deagle
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To: Bhoy
Interesting to note that the term “tea bagging” was flung about.

It is rather unfortunate that we handed them the term "teabag." I guess that was a lack of foresight. I'm sure, Bhoy, that you DO know what it means, but for those who don't, look it up at urbandictionary.com. The context examples they offer are quite hilarious.
19 posted on 04/15/2009 10:22:56 PM PDT by LanaTurnerOverdrive ("I've done a few things in my life I'm not proud of, and the things I am proud of are disgusting.")
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To: Salvation

LOVE it !


20 posted on 04/15/2009 10:23:02 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (LIBS-STILL) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war- Richard Miniter)
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