The fourth estate has the responsibility to inform the public truthfully. Media organizations have a right to express their own opinions, but freedom of the press does not include the right to make up their own facts. Most broadcasters have fallen short of this responsibility, because they have their own corporate agendas, but one broadcaster is so dishonest that they are the Republican Ministry of Propaganda, Fox.
Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), asking the agency to deny renewal of three broadcast licenses held by Fox television stations. Because their licenses are set to expire in October, two Fox stations in Washington, D.C. and one in Baltimore – which are wholly owned subsidiaries of News Corp. – filed to renew the licenses this past June.
CREW is objecting to the renewals because under U.S. law, broadcast frequencies may be used only by people of good “character,” who will serve “the public interest,” and speak with “candor.” Significant character deficiencies may warrant disqualification from holding a license.
Read CREW’s petition to the FCC
“It is well-established that News Corp. has been involved in one of the biggest media scandals of all time. Its reporters hacked voicemails and bribed public officials while top executives – including Rupert Murdoch – either approved the conduct or turned a blind eye,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “To say those responsible are not of good character is a colossal understatement – ‘despicable’ and ‘loathsome’ are more apt. Retaining U.S. broadcast licenses is a privilege, not a right. Based on its egregious actions, News Corp. should lose that privilege.”
Last May, CREW asked FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to revoke News Corp.’s 27 broadcast licenses, but the FCC has taken no action to date. Under federal law, however, broadcast licenses must be renewed every eight years. Once renewal is sought, opposition may be filed within three months.
An investigation by Great Britain’s House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee condemned Rupert Murdoch as “not a fit person to exercise stewardship of a major international company,” and concluded that both Rupert and James Murdoch turned a blind eye to News Corp.’s illicit activities… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <CREW>
I would certainly defend the right of Fox, or any other news source, to express their own views in their editorial content, no matter how much I disagree with them. However, making up their own facts to distort truth for Republican partisan gain does not “serve the public interest” or “speak with candor” as required by law to exercise the privilege of using bandwidth in the broadcast spectrum that belongs to the people.
I applaud CREW and fully support their petition.
10 Responses to “CREW vs. the Republican Ministry of Propaganda”
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" Deny renewal of three broadcast licenses held by Fox television stations."
I support the petition… 🙂
I would certainly defend the right of Fox, or any other news source, to express their own views in their editorial content, no matter how much I disagree with them. per/TC
Absolutely agree ; At the very least each broadcast could contain the disclaimer ;( This is opinion , which may or may not be factual ; is the stated intent of the Publishers to influence the thinking and behavior of the public; As our opinion we are backed by Constitutional amendment privilege of free speech)
Or a like statement– In my Not so humble opinion
Not bad, but then they would have to give up their claim to Fair and Balanced!
FOX has been banned in Canada for their lies. I know their government isn't smarter than ours, but sometimes I wonder. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/5123-fox-news-lies-keep-them-out-of-canada
Excellent article Blue. Thank you. As a Canadian, I was one of those that protested the Rt Honourable PM Twit's attempt to subvert truth. Hope you don't mind that I am using this in my comment.
I did a piece on that a year or two. It has gotten more hits than any other article I have ever written, and still gets hits.
A quote from the following article which Blue mentioned in his comment. "Fox News Lies Keep Them Out Of Canada"
One of the things that I have always expected is a fair and balanced reporting of the news. That doesn't mean that errors don't happen. And it doesn't mean that the whole story comes out. Let's face it, we can't think of everything. But in Canada, by law, you cannot make up 'facts' and report them as news.
Personally, if a station (radio or TV) is giving their opinion, then they should say so. It is no different than websites which record statements as follows: Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates. Newspapers have editorial pages and Op-Ed pieces where clearly, these are the opinions of the newspaper or the writer. That still gives them their 1st amendment right to free speech, but it also puts the reader on notice that this is not necessarily confirmed fact.
To Rupert Murdoch I say "Bye bye!" I support the non renewal of Fox News licenses. Truth win out!
Excellent!! I so agree!~
I certainly appreciate CREW's effort to keep fox news quiet – spreading propaganda belongs to the Communists of the 1940's.
Princess Lisa! 😀
Yes, and to the fascists of the 1930's.