AOL News has a new home! The Huffington Post.
Click here to visit the new home of Politics Daily!Jonathan Zasloff, a law professor at UCLA, suggested that the federal government simply yank Fox off the air. "I hate to open this can of worms," he wrote, "but is there any reason why the FCC couldn't simply pull their broadcasting permit once it expires?"
But while Zasloff did make those comments, it's fair to also point out that they did not go unchallenged:
And so a debate ensued. Time's (Michael) Scherer, who had seemed to express support for increased regulation of Fox, suddenly appeared to have qualms: "Do you really want the political parties/white house picking which media operations are news operations and which are a less respectable hybrid of news and political advocacy?"
So what does this mean? Clearly, these quotes demonstrate that Zasloff is a liberal who has no problem with suppressing conservative thought. On the other hand, unlike the participants involved in efforts to kill the Jeremiah Wright story, Zasloff is not a journalist, and appears incapable of bringing about the results he desires.
My guess is that the more controversial revelations to come from this piece won't be about Fox News, but rather about Rush Limbaugh and Tea Party activists.
For example, the column reveals that Sarah Spitz, a producer with Santa Monica, Calif. radio station KCRW, said that if she witnessed Rush Limbaugh having a heart attack, she would "Laugh loudly like a maniac and watch his eyes bug out."
And Journolisters weren't above comparing conservative Tea Party activists to Nazis:
I agree with editing comments before publishing them. At times I have been shocked by the crude wording used by some of the responders. And as a rule, for all their offensive language, they really have nothing constructive to say. People who have to resort to vulger words lack the vocabulary to express themselves convincingly. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but name calling will never hurt me."
July 29 2010 at 4:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo, back to the question- "Is there any reason why the FCC couldn't simply pull their broadcasting permit..." OK, once again, is there? Do we as a country, need to subsidize lies?
July 22 2010 at 8:49 AM Report abuse Permalink -7 rate up rate down ReplyFox news is one of the most lucrative news ever. They do not survive on government subsidies. they live on the fact that they have HUGE ratings and sell ad space.
It really shows your government first oriented mindset that you seem to be saying that everything must be subsidised or it wouldn't exist.
Who would of ever thought the day in America that freedom of speach would be a debate.How sad for all of us.
July 21 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse Permalink +13 rate up rate down ReplyThis issue has little to do with free speech. Fox should be able to stay on, but not as be able to call itself 'news'. It's not a news channel it's a propaganda machine for conservatives. By using the word 'news' it gives them some false sense of crediabilty. It's a right spin channel. Plain and simple.
July 22 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink -7 rate up rate down ReplyI don't think the situation is that Fox News should be "closed down", but it should be required to report accurate, not "cherry picked" articles or reports, but a full report and let the audience decide how they wish to view such information. Accuracy is always what news, even cable news, should be about. Pundits, of course, are only opinion folks who put their own slant on the issues, not to be taken as "fact", just their views. It seems so many do not understand the difference between pundits and factual news. Since folks do not seem to research what is being said, then it is even more crucial that those responsible for coming in to our homes 24/7 be held to a certain standard. This includes CNN, MSNBC, as well as Fox, BreitBart (whatever) or others. It is important to know that is happening around you so that you can make responsible decisions for yourself and your country. Do folks really understand the health care issue? Obviously not, because somehow they don't seem pleased with it and believe it is socialism. Oh, my. Surely they are pleased with some federal regulations on banks, etc., Oops - - no. I wonder why? Are they listening to who, are they researching who? There are things I like and dislike about both, but I feel that I am informed as I can possibly be.
July 21 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse Permalink -11 rate up rate down ReplyThe correct word is "whom". Have you read the complete bllls? Neither of my senators nor any of my state's representatives have. They admit it.
So how could you possibly be informed. I voted for Obama who promised transparancy in government. I never thought it would be worse than under Bush. Two thousand page bills that nobody can explain and even Pelosi admits to not having read them entirely.
Next time I and independant will vote for anybody who IS NOT a Democrat or Republican. We'd do better grabbing people off the street and asking if they'd like to be a Senator. If they answer "No" they get the job.
you find attacks on fox news and rush limbaugh repulsive, but don't see anything wrong with the attacks by fox news and rush limbaugh on those that disagree with them??!~!! i'm an avid listener of rush, beck and hannity and have witnessed all 3 having no problem using half truths, innuendo and rhetoric to advance their positions. and oberman is no better on the left. on both extreme sides the truth, somehow, is the biggest loser. both sides claim it, but neither side proclaims it.
July 21 2010 at 4:40 PM Report abuse Permalink -9 rate up rate down Replycathie, Im so sorry to hear that you dont want to be informed,
but to deprive the rest of your family from the truth, is just wrong !!!
it is shame that the left wing is afraid of the truth.it sounds like they are going to a socialist type of news and news paper. they only want you the american public to read and hear in what they want to be put out. cause you see what has happened in souht america,china,n.korea.and russia. if they try to force fox news off the air. the american people need to stand up have our voice heard. or they will be silence forever.
from a concerened citzen
The only BROWN SHIRTERS here are the ones trying to suppress dissent of the journolist's opinions
July 21 2010 at 4:01 PM Report abuse Permalink +5 rate up rate down ReplyTo all my brother and sister liberals lets be the tolerant, peace loving people that we claim to be, it makes me very sad when i sense angry under tones in some of your comments. Even when we have dis-agreements we can still be friends and show our LOVE to those we disagree with. Lets keep the peace.
July 21 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse Permalink +6 rate up rate down ReplyInstead of Fox News channel, the should be called "Fox Opinion Channel". They highlight an edited video from the WEB and didn't verify it's authenticity. Fair and balanced? Enough said!
July 21 2010 at 3:55 PM Report abuse Permalink -11 rate up rate down ReplyI watched all channels all day at the only show supporting that poor woman who was forced to resing was Glenn Beck's and I usually can't stand him. Of course CNN (was it bought out by BET?) couldn't hang her fast enough. Only Gergen defended her.
July 21 2010 at 5:43 PM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down ReplyFollow Politics Daily
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