The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Fox News Is Corrupt and Unethical

Posted on | February 27, 2016 | 48 Comments

It was never a good idea for conservatives to put all their media eggs in Rupert Murdoch’s basket, and this story about Marco Rubio’s role in the 2013 “Gang of Eight” deal explains why:

A few weeks after Senator Marco Rubio joined a bipartisan push for an immigration overhaul in 2013, he arrived alongside Senator Chuck Schumer at the executive dining room of News Corporation’s Manhattan headquarters for dinner.
Their mission was to persuade Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the media empire, and Roger Ailes, the chairman and chief executive of its Fox News division, to keep the network’s on-air personalities from savaging the legislation and give it a fighting chance at survival.
Mr. Murdoch, an advocate of immigration reform, and Mr. Ailes, his top lieutenant and the most powerful man in conservative television, agreed at the Jan. 17, 2013, meeting to give the senators some breathing room.
But the media executives, highly attuned to the intensifying anger in the Republican grass roots, warned that the senators also needed to make their case to Rush Limbaugh, the king of conservative talk radio, who held enormous sway with the party’s largely anti-immigrant base. . . .

Read the whole thing. (Hat-tip: Mark Krikorian on Twitter.)

 

Category: Fox News, Immigration, Marco Rubio

Comments

48 Responses to “Fox News Is Corrupt and Unethical”

  1. Mike G.
    February 27th, 2016 @ 10:36 pm

    Well, the #FreeStacy hash tag is back auto loading now.

    I rarely watch Fox News anymore. Their on air personalities have become smug pretentious asses because of their success. And I don’t believe most of them are as conservative as they purport to be. They just played us for a bunch of fools over the years.

  2. smitty
    February 27th, 2016 @ 10:44 pm

    One America News Network.

  3. DeadMessenger
    February 27th, 2016 @ 11:03 pm

    I say this at work all the time about software salesmen: Assume everything out of their mouths is a lie until proven otherwise, and you will never get burned. Same thing applies to ALL salesmen. And ALL media. Fortunately, Stacy puts his citations right in his articles, or links to them, so it’s easy with him.

  4. Mike G.
    February 27th, 2016 @ 11:08 pm

    One World News Network

    FIFY.

  5. DeadMessenger
    February 27th, 2016 @ 11:14 pm

    Dear Senator Rubio,

    You are a weasel. I’ve lived in Florida my whole life, and I voted for you once. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Not gonna happen.

    And by the way, everytime I happened to pop by your office in downtown Orlando, no one was ever there. What’s up with that?

    Your former supporter,

    DeadMessenger

  6. Ilion
    February 27th, 2016 @ 11:41 pm

    I always knew that Fox wasn’t conservative.

  7. Matt_SE
    February 27th, 2016 @ 11:59 pm

    You could feel over the last 7 years that Fox was becoming establishment…becoming safe. There was some Sunday show they had years ago that got canceled because the executives didn’t want investigations of Fox sponsors. I can’t remember the name…it had a man and woman reporter.
    Ever since then, it’s been a slow slide.
    That’s what happens when there’s no competition.

  8. DeadMessenger
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:09 am

    TWTR: “The #FreeStacy hash tag is back auto loading now, so no one can say we’re discriminating against conservatives.”

    #IronyFail

  9. DeadMessenger
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:20 am

    You could accurately say, though, that they were slightly more conservative than, for example, LRNBC (Leni Riefenstahl NBC).

  10. Jason Lee
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:42 am

    On a tangent…

    “the party’s largely anti-immigrant base…”

    “Anti-immigrant”, “anti-immigration” and “anti-illegal immigration” aren’t the same things. (On the other hand “anti-American” and “Democrat” are roughly interchangeable.)

  11. Truth Offends
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:52 am

    .

  12. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    February 28th, 2016 @ 1:57 am

    Media is what it is: Mostly a form of prostitution. Sure there is a myth of the prostitute with the heart of gold–and I do not want to suggest that can never exist. Still, good luck finding that.

  13. Finrod Felagund
    February 28th, 2016 @ 2:40 am

    Fox News has been pushing Rubio this whole primary season, and giving the rest of the airtime to Trump when they’re not fellating Rubio.

    I’ve seen people say they’ve stopped watching Fox News because CNN of all places is actually covering the GOP primaries more fairly.

  14. Elaine Griffin
    February 28th, 2016 @ 2:49 am

    ?my .friend’s mate Is getting 98$. HOURLY. on the internet.”….two days ago new McLaren. F1 bought after earning 18,512$,,,this was my previous month’s paycheck ,and-a little over, 17k$ Last month ..3-5 h/r of work a days ..with extra open doors & weekly. paychecks.. it’s realy the easiest work I have ever Do.. I Joined This 7 months ago and now making over 87$, p/h.Learn. More right Here`!b183????? http://GlobalSuperEmploymentVacanciesReportsData/GetPaid/98$hourly…. .?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:?2:::::`!b183…….

  15. Ilion
    February 28th, 2016 @ 3:40 am

    Damning with faint praise, are we?

  16. RKae
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:01 am

    Fox has always been about pandering. Their facade of “We’re fair and balanced…” (whisper) “…but you right-wingers know we’re really your pals, right? Wink, wink!” was always countered by their “entertainment” shows which were among the most disgusting and (I’m gonna say it) satanic on TV.

    They’ve always wanted both sides of the fence to think they’re cool.

  17. RKae
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:04 am

    My head’s gonna pop if I have to hear the phrase “immigration reform” one more time.

    If I come home and my neighbors are flopped on my sofa, watching my TV and rummaging through my fridge, I would ask them, “What the hell are you doing in here?” When they say, “Oh, our cable got shut off and there’s no food in our fridge, so we broke into your place,” I would not think, “Gee, I need to reform.”

    I would throw them out, lock the door, and the devil take the hindmost.

  18. ArdvarkMaster
    February 28th, 2016 @ 7:28 am

    RUBIO! – working the long con

  19. Squid Hunt #BootTwitter
    February 28th, 2016 @ 7:42 am

    Fox has turned conservatives into reactionary little neocons. All they have to do is snap their fingers and conservatives start snarling about blowing people up, cause we’re America and our freedoms are better than their freedoms.

  20. kilo6
    February 28th, 2016 @ 8:48 am

    I agree, but I’d make a small exception for the writers on The Simpsons, after all they called the current political situation 15 years ago
    http://youtu.be/ZtparSnQhFc

  21. Art Deco
    February 28th, 2016 @ 8:50 am

    You recall the recent imbroglio over Marc Ambinder acting as an extension of HRC’s press office in 2009, happily allowing her press agent to dictate the content of his news stories? He’s not losing his job. The decline in the economic prospects of journalists mean you’re getting people who are absolutely the dregs.

  22. kilo6
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:08 am

    A few years ago I heard someone say “reform” actually stands for “Remarkably Effective F**k-Over Method” and that’s definitely appropriate for this so-called immigration reform.

  23. From Around the Blogroll – The First Street Journal.
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:17 am

    […] Robert Stacey Stacy McCain: Fox News Is Corrupt and Unethical […]

  24. Matt_SE
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:44 am

    And the dregs are one reason journalism is declining. A very “circle of life” thing there.

  25. Matt_SE
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:47 am

    Yep. There’s a virtual embargo on Cruz. The fix is in.

  26. CrustyB
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:57 am

    I’ve never watched FOX news and I haven’t watched any television news program in about 20 years. When a lib gives me one of his “You have to stop being brainwashed by FOX news, dude” speeches I tell them that and then they stare blankly at me for ten minutes. Their little mental database of bumper-sticker comebacks just breaks down.

  27. JadedByPolitics
    February 28th, 2016 @ 10:02 am

    Anyone who watched MarcO and listened to talk radio in 2013 knows that this is being painted with quite a broad brush, Ingraham never bought in to amnesty, she is why Brat is in and Cantor is out. Rush had MarcO on twice to explain his bill but NEVER said nor intimated it was a good bill, Levin has NEVER tried to sell amnesty.

    Lets get to the ones who did, Hannity who didn’t try to sell it but let MarcO come on night after night to whine and cajole and gave him no pushback. O’Reilly who has been an amnesty pusher since Bush’s 2005 bill.

  28. daialanye
    February 28th, 2016 @ 10:41 am

    This place is beginning to sound like conspiracy headquarters, though due to having cut the cable connection three years back I’m in no position to respond by citing actual viewings. Someone tell me, though—has Greg Gutfeld also sold out?

  29. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:17 pm

    Fox is just typical news slanted slightly right on the spectrum. CNN is way left (mostly) and MSNBC might as well have its studios in Venezuela or Cuba.

  30. Adobe_Walls
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:57 pm

    Most of of them Megan Kelly and Chris Wallace for instance don’t purport to be conservative. We shouldn’t assume they are just because they’re not as flaming as Vapid Hair.

  31. Adobe_Walls
    February 28th, 2016 @ 12:59 pm

    Saudi money.

  32. Adobe_Walls
    February 28th, 2016 @ 1:03 pm

    But our freedoms are better than their freedoms.

  33. robertstacymccain
    February 28th, 2016 @ 1:57 pm

    You should examine the history of Fox News, particularly how, when Geraldo Rivera insulted Michelle Malkin, Bill O’Reilly sided with Rivera. When was the last time you saw Michelle Malkin on Fox News? Or, for that matter, what about Mark Krikorian? Fox News executives are pro-amnesty, but most conservative journalists are silent about that organizational bias because they don’t want to cut themselves from a potential source of publicity.

  34. Bumr50
    February 28th, 2016 @ 2:12 pm

    Preach. I interrupted a spirited barroom argument last year (and broke my rule of never discussing politics in bars here around largely pro-union Pittsburgh) by simply stating that I was a libertarian leaning conservative and that I and almost everyone I know of the same political bent didn’t watch Fox News and largely couldn’t stand the outlet.

    It was like I was arguing that the sky was indeed yellow. I was floored by the reaction.

    I think that hardcore Dems think that by watching FNC they completely understand the right wing in this nation.

  35. McGehee
    February 28th, 2016 @ 2:47 pm

    I stopped watching Fox News Network because it, as much as CNN and MSNBC, ignores my instructions to shove the talking points and just tell me what happened.

    I really don’t need a representative from both major political parties to comment on the longterm political consequences of a car chase in Reseda.

  36. Squid Hunt #BootTwitter
    February 28th, 2016 @ 3:42 pm

    All the more reason to attack them preemptively.

  37. CaptDMO
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:07 pm

    “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Not gonna happen”
    Sheesh (ok, I can’t spell that avatar DM)
    If your going to go all party of Lincoln on the folks who pretend to follow it..go full Abraham on their (and Rupert’s) buttocks.
    You can fool ALL of the people SOME of the time
    You can fool SOME of the people ALL of the time
    You CAN”T fool ALL of the people ALL of the time.

  38. CrustyB
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:09 pm

    I don’t think Dems understand that conservatism has been around long before Fox News came on the air. Conservatives don’t sit around thinking “Jeez, I don’t know where I stand on this issue. I better turn on Fox!” Fox came on in 1996 for pete’s sake. I’ve been a conservative since I supported Reagan in 1979.

  39. CaptDMO
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:10 pm

    SEE: The Blaze

  40. CaptDMO
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:12 pm

    Hmmm….and rock salt take the hindmost?

  41. Jeanette Victoria
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:17 pm

    One of the positive things abut dumping TV I no longer see commercials or watch the pablum that is called news these days

  42. CaptDMO
    February 28th, 2016 @ 4:36 pm

    Kinda’ like abortion, and “FREE” abortion on demand, AND for minor girls without parental notification, AND as a means of repeated contraception, AND excluded from the PP ACA electronic record keeping system, AND in any mini mall 5hit hole butcher shop, are NOT the same to
    Old Rich White Handsome Intelligent Funny Conservative Taxpayer Males, with big…feet, and can Sing well! (Hey, I gave it a shot)
    How old? Crusty B cited Reagan. There’s a News photo of me with Goldwater on the campaign trail!
    (ok, ok, I think I was 4)

  43. daialanye
    February 28th, 2016 @ 5:06 pm

    Jerry Rivers, Bill O’Reilly, that pretty-boy who’s on early, Martha MacCallum or whatever her name is—these people are no more conservative than Donald Trump. Still, it’s the best thing we’ve got, so let’s slap them around on immigration but not classify them as all-RINO, allatime.

  44. Fail Burton
    February 28th, 2016 @ 5:34 pm

    MSNBC positioning itself for access to Trump almost certainly got Melissa Harris-Perry let go. That’s a win for America right there. That obnoxious bigot did nothing but preach racial incitement

    It’s a case of ratings. They took one look at the balance sheet and off the racist went.

  45. Joe Joe
    February 28th, 2016 @ 6:34 pm

    Maybe she’ll auction off her tampon earrings.

  46. Prime Director
    February 28th, 2016 @ 8:02 pm

    Well played, “elain”

  47. News of the Week (February 28th, 2016) | The Political Hat
    February 28th, 2016 @ 9:22 pm

    […] Fox News Is Corrupt and Unethical It was never a good idea for conservatives to put all their media eggs in Rupert Murdoch’s basket, and this story about Marco Rubio’s role in the 2013 “Gang of Eight” deal explains why […]

  48. Fail Burton
    February 29th, 2016 @ 3:02 am

    If she fell back on her actual innate talents she’d be selling Bic pens and razor blades from some plastic tarp by the side of some muddy dirt road, none of which she could manufacture, not even the dirt road.