“Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism”

Last week in class we were shown the documentary “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism” outlining the damaging effects of FOX news. They have called themselves “Fine, Balanced Journalism” however they have distorted the facts and have altered their news to be completely one-sided. This is shown throughout the documentary in how they have undermined the democrats and have influenced their viewers to vote for George W. Bush. Not allowing their audience to make informed decisions about the election. Instead Rupert Murdoch has ordered his employees to carry out republican right wing propaganda.

 

Rupert Murdoch has created an environment of fear at FOX News, not only for the reporters but for the viewers. Focusing their themes around generating and instilling fear in their audience, however this has drawn the viewers in to keep up with the alarming news. FOX News is also ONLY concerned with presenting entertainment and propaganda news. "They use cheap and easy stories that will get the viewers gut reaction" (John Nichols). David Hnatiuk (Former Fox Music Supervisor) created in 1999 the Fox News Alert “Shocking News” for stories like Columbine, however now they have been used to promote Yellow Journalism like the relationship between JLO and Ben Affleck.

 

I found this documentary to be eye opening as we have learned that FOX News goes against the articles written in the Canons of Journalism. First FOX has not shown responsibility (article 1) to their viewers as they have not given them the right information to allow them to make an informed decision. Another example that goes against the Canons of Journalism is Fair Play (article 6) Bill O’Reilly is shown as an arrogant reporter who does not allow his interviewers a chance to defend themselves once he starts to attack them on national television.