Posted on 03/11/2010 5:34:32 PM PST by kristinn
One question has tugged at my professional conscience throughout the year-long congressional debate over health-care reform, and it has nothing to do with the public option, portability or medical malpractice. It is this: Why haven't America's old-school news organizations blown the whistle on Roger Ailes, chief of Fox News, for using the network to conduct a propaganda campaign against the Obama administration -- a campaign without precedent in our modern political history?
Through clever use of the Fox News Channel and its cadre of raucous commentators, Ailes has overturned standards of fairness and objectivity that have guided American print and broadcast journalists since World War II. Yet, many members of my profession seem to stand by in silence as Ailes tears up the rulebook that served this country well as we covered the major stories of the past three generations, from the civil rights revolution to Watergate to the Wall Street scandals. This is not a liberal-versus-conservative issue. It is a matter of Fox turning reality on its head with, among other tactics, its endless repetition of its uber-lie: "The American people do not want health-care reform."
SNIP
My great fear, however, is that some journalists of my generation who once prided themselves on blowing whistles and afflicting the comfortable have also been intimidated by Fox's financial power and expanding audience, as well as Ailes's proven willingness to dismantle the reputation of anyone who crosses him.
SNIP
As for Fox News, lots of people who know better are keeping quiet about what to call it. Its news operation can, in fact, be called many things, but reporters of my generation, with memories and keyboards, dare not call it journalism.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Fox’s viewers are too stupid to know the truth unless a liberal explains it to them.
His nose makes him look like an alcoholic.
Gee, Howie, why not just step up & put Fox in its place while you still have a notable circulation? Are you some powerless peon without a voice?
Oh, that’s right, you tried & failed already.
I guess you have become a peon... nice confession. Welcome to your well deserved irrelevance!
Two more words: Dan Rather.
I get a tingle up my leg whenever another dinosaur like Raines wails about the loss of the monopoly the Democrat newsrooms enjoyed for decades. They are just gnashing their teeth that people are (finally!) getting the truth about the Democrat party and its America-hating socialist agenda.
I’m surprised Raines hasn’t had a heart attack yet.
I’d love to see Howard as a “guest” on the Factor!
Is this man a moron. We read the bills. We don't want this "reform" because we know what it is, and it isn't about anyone's "health care."
Howell, your tenure at the New York Times puts the lie to your question. The NYT conducts propaganda campaigns on a daily basis.
Gee Howell perhaps it’s because they are telling the truth and other journalists don’t want to look silly for lying?
There are honest journalists?
Honest Journalists...that's one of them there oxymoron things.
To be honest, journalism should be removed from the list of majors that student loan programs should accept because the schools are only turning out propagandists...not journalists.
Howell Raines doesn't know any. That's for sure.
Raines is a pussy who would cry if he was called out to answer for his lies.
Maybe the reason nobody has taken them on is because you can't beat the truth with lies.
Raines asks that silly question because FOX News reaches more audience than Obama’s two propaganda networks combined.
Where was this guy during GWB’s presidency?!
Then I must state for the record that this man has no association with me.
Howell Raines = Head of the propaganda branch of the “progressives” (and when the hell did liberal become progressive?)
Enoyable read!
After thinking about it, that was a post from a man who realizes that his team lost on Heath Care and that his sun has set!
This article is garbage.
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