Coverage of "Outfoxed" press conference from Variety

[wndycty]

Fox dousing doc



News net lashes out at pic polemic

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

This article was updated at 9:59 p.m.

NEW YORK -- First there was Bush-bashing. Now there's Fox-flaming.

Fanning the fire ignited by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," documaker Robert Greenwald introduced his Fox News Channel-bashing "Outfoxed" to the media Monday.

Whistleblowers from within the company described the top-rated news cabler's internal spin machine, which they said skews news in favor of the Bush administration.

The press conference in a meeting room at the Ritz-Carlton in Gotham was packed by journos from major news outlets, including Fox. Fox reps outside the hotel handed out talking points meant to discredit the four ex-Fox staffers on the podium.

"The former low-level Fox employees are hardly worth addressing," Fox said in a prepared statement. "Some of the 'sources' for this documentary never worked for Fox News Channel. Some others left because of incompetence, and none expressed concern about the editorial policy while employees."
-snip-

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907640?categoryid=10&cs=1

(Subscription required)

[Voltaire]

1. I watched this last night

I ordered a copy and got it yesterday. Suffice to say, Faux is not going to be pleased, especially O'Really. They really expose him as the buffoon that he is. Hannity gets similar treatment. Here's to hoping that it spreads nearly as much at 911 has. Its not as well made as 911 but it is a grand example of what you can do with a little bit of money, a few dedicated individuals from all across the country who put up with watching that dreck to document it all and a LOT of sweat equity. I highly recommend it to any freeper friends you might have.

[flamingpie2500]

2. This is terrific!! Just ordered my copy.

I have to admit though, that when a really big news story breaks, especially in Iraq, or anything to do with the Bush administration, I just have to click on Fox to get their SPIN on it.

[emulatorloo]

3. Buy "Outfoxed" DVD for 10.00 here:

http://www.outfoxed.org/

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Democratic principles?

"The former low-level Fox employees are hardly worth addressing," Fox said in a prepared statement.<<

There they go again.... promoting democratic principles upon their own employees... hardly worth addressing.... well if that is true... then it is also true of the entire Fauxsnooze spin machine.

www.outfoxed.org

[wndycty]

5. Kick

:kick:

[Mike Daniels]

6. Fox's press releases and statements are consistently nasty in tone

I majored in press and broadcast communications and while I never seriously practiced it in the the real world, I don't see how half the text of the FOX press releases/statements get cleared for distribution.

Instead of taking the high road they consistently attack the messenger in the most base way possible. That anyone should take them seriously as a news source is laughable as they sure seem pretty thin skinned when it comes to any criticism.

[Flubadubya]

11. Well, if they would just drop the "Fair and Balanced" charade...

they wouldn't have to be so "thin-skinned". If they would just put themselves forward for who they really are (an arm of the RNC), then they wouldn't have to be constantly defending themselves against valid criticisms and accusations.

As soon as you decide to wipe away that "We are REAL NEWS" veneer, FOX, the better off you will be. Just say you are Republican idealogues and that you purport to disseminate that message and no one will have a problem with you. You would then be telling the truth and portraying yourselves honestly.

As it is, you are nothing but a bunch of transparent, lying shit sacks! :puke:

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. And some "left" for incompetence too!

What a silly statement. People don't leave for incompetence; but they sometimes are canned for it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. Well then... the whitehouse should be empty too.

What a silly statement. People don't leave for incompetence; but they sometimes are canned for it.<

Funny how all these leavings and terminations come at a time when there is a great divide within the admin... Pentagon... CIA... FBI... and just about everyone else who has had dealings with these warmongerers.... up to and including the Iraqis. Shame.

[Moderator]

7. wndycty

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.

Thank you.


DU Moderator

[wndycty]

8. I got this message after my time to edit expired. . .

. . .can you edit/

[DrWho]

10. just

just ordered, $13.45 total with shipping and all

[wndycty]

15. Thanks Skinner. . .

. . .I know I pushed it with how much I included but I tried to provide as much as possible since most DU'ers would not be able to access it. I figure since it was a very long article I could include more than normal. . .thanks for fixing my mistake.

wndycty

[Bunny]

12. Two things:

First, it didn't say anywhere that Fox denies the spin, just

>snip<
none expressed concern about the editorial policy while employees."
>snip<

In other words, it did not attack the basic message, just the messenger.

Second, for those more familiar with the movie, is there any indication of how coverage was biased against Clinton when he was Pres? I'd be interested to see some of THOSE internal memos!

[LiberalForEver]

14. Sounds like a 'non-denial denial'

They are just doing what comes naturally. Repuke self serving spin.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Typical Repugnican Denying Responsibility

The Faux Story:

Boy meets lies...boy spread lies...lies become assumed to be true. Rinse, repeat.

As expected, another corporate covering up for another. Of course the onus here is placed on the documentary, that uses Faux materials...just like Moore did...that shows without much commentary how this propaganda machine works. But then, Variety doesn't have a pot to piss in as they're whole purpose for being is to spread rumors and "dish" (the stuff Drudge seems to orgasm over) to make money for its corporate masters and their minions. And since Rupert Murdoch just happens to own 20th Century Fox and several television networks that buy product from Hollywood studios would have no bearing on how the review is presented here </sarcasm off>.

Faux still earns "credibility"...albeit nowhere near what it did a few years ago...based on its still high ratings (well among cable news channels...putrid compared to other networks) and until it's ratings fall, it's gonna be treated with kid gloves by the media types who live by the rule "don't hit 'em when they're down, kick them, it's easier".

Bottom line: Murdoch & Ailes intimidate all they see and there are a lot of people whose paychecks and careers are attached...directly or indirectly...to the Newscorp juggernaut that silence is golden.

I strongly suggest this movie for those who have "seen the light", but still are flashing red yet...this is sure to get their endorphins crankin'.

[nomaco-10]

17. Has O'Reilly's or Hannity's heads exploded yet.....

I can't bear to watch FAUX news, but I have to confess I've been surfing occasionally in the evening to see if either of them have blown a blood vessel or had a heart attack. Maybe the memos from upstairs are telling them to downplay this like they were told to downplay the bodies coming home from Iraq.

[Elidor]

18. Sources "never worked for Fox News?"

Pretty thin logic, there. Do their "reporters" work for the corporations they cover? A 5-year-old could come up with a better smear.

I sincerely hope this documentary strengthens the calls for media reform in this country. It ought to be a crime to spread blatant disinformation and unabashed propaganda in the guise of news.

And major props to anyone who punctures O'Reilly's balloon.

[wndycty]

19. Kick

:kick:

[granolagirl]

20. political propaganda

Personally I think the whole thing is complete political propaganda. Greenwald is such a wacko and it's not hard to see through his biased front. It's also a little discouraging that two of these so-called “whistleblowers” weren’t even Fox News employees. Usually fact checking is a good idea before making a movie.