Fox got caught this week with their hand in the cookie jar, or should I say the ham sandwich. They went on-air with a flat out made up story. The story involved a ham steak being placed in front of Muslim students as a prank in a middle school in Maine. Fox News Channel believed a parody site that said that an Anti-Ham Response Plan had been implemented at the school to fight against ham sandwiches – and ran with the story on-air.
You know they wanted to believe the story. They ran it because it's the kind of thing Fox eats up. They love to ham up these fake stories of political correctness. And this involved making fun of sensitive Muslims, even better. Fox was in hog heaven.
This is their silly "War on Christmas" type of story on crack. Instead of embellishing and making up stories on their own, this time they made the mistake of using an actual parody that could be proven to be fake. That was their real error. They're usually savvier than that.
I have called Fox, "Fake News Channel" before because of their penchant for putting so much bias in stories that they aren't representative of reality. That's actually a much worse transgression than this because there they convince the mainstream media to cover real stories with their false slant -- and the press usually falls for it. In this case, it's good to see that they lived up to the title of literally being the Fake News Channel.
I remember when Fox News demanded that all of the CBS producers and anchors be fired when they went with an uncorroborated story on-air. I am sure they will apply the same standard to their staff, right?
166. Dan Rather went to town with forged documents -- nothing happened to him, in fact he got another award. Katie Couric literally read a story from another columnist as a page from her "notebook" -- nothing happened to her. Fox did get some of the details of the ham "sandwich" (steak) story incorrect and whoever is responsible for their fact checking should be held accountable. From a journalism/truth standpoint, Dan and Katie made far more glaring and significant errors.
167. I am a Vietnam Vet and the Bush Years have been OZ! GW Bush (aka the Scarecrow w/o a brain) got Daddy to buy him into the Texas Air National Guard where he never finished his required time. Dubya never volunteered for Nam but vigorously supported sending others to die for him. Dick Cheney (aka the Cowardly Lion) used 5 draft deferments in order to make sure he never served and sent others to die for him. Per Cheney, "He Had Other Priorities!" Bush & Cheney are cowards. They "ducked" their war but supported others dieing for them. Now, they send others to die in another needless war.
169. COME ON PEOPLE, IF THE ISSUE IS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF 'REPORTING' AT FOX NEWS, SOMEONE MIGHT AS WELL SET UP A WEBSITE AND BE PREPARED TO MAN IT 24/7 TO ADDRESS THE CONSTANT STREAM OF MISLEADING, BLATANTLY INACCURATE AND/OR SHAMELESSLY BIASED PROGRAMING. I MUST GIVE RUPERT PROPS FOR REALLY KNOWING THE BUSINESS AND MARKET TO HIS BASE ALSO, ULTRA RIGHT MEDIA WHORE, RODGER AILES AND A BIG HONORABLE MENTION TO MAJOR SELL OUT, RIGHTY MOUTH PIECE AND PROFESSIONAL SPIN DOCTOR OF THE WORST KIND, GOOD OLE BOY SEAN HANNITY AND HIS NEW OVER THE TOP ULTRA-CON 'NEWS' MAGAZINE, WE FIND IT QUITE ENTERTAINING. I TIVO SEGMENTS REGULARLY AND FEATURE THEM AT OUR WEEKLY 'TRASH AND BASH' NIGHT ALONG WITH OTHER CLASSICS LIKE PARTICULARLY SCANDALOUS EPISODES OF JERRY SPRINGER, SO YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY SEAN, (WE LOVE JERRY!) AND YOUR SHOW IS CONSISTANTLY GOOD FOR SOME GREAT CRAP TV. THANK YOU!!!
171. Republicans are currently the most hypocritical, unethical, malevolent force this country has ever experienced. Democrats should not be rejoicing, as their history is nothing to brag about. But Bush and his neoconservative crooks are as big biased liars as the liars, spin artists and fools of Fox News. Rupert Murdoch floats memos to staff telling them how to report. The jackasses that pose as journalists are exactly the type of hotair talking heads that other countries point to as proof of our narcissism and ignorance. Vote Kucinich for a real politician with integrity and the balls to say what he means and do what he says.
172. Yeah man, I have this fleeting nightmare of Ann Coulter banging Sean Hannity with an instrument, with Bill O-Reilly pleasuring himself in the background. What a bunch of freaks. All couched in Christianity. Evil is Fox News
173. Fake news stories on FOX, perish the thought! FOX is not a news network, it is an opinion service catering to the fears of angry old white guys. When the head of the network is Roger Ailes, the man that invented the Willie Horton campaign, are we to expect straight news? Fair and balanced lol.
The is the second recent example of their shoddy journalistic standards. The other was the "Clinton's campaign is investigating Obama's muslim education" crock which they also aired without bothering to fact check.
174. Ted Nugent described you Anti-Fox people perfectly on the Hannity and Colmes show tonight. He called you soul-less. By the way some of you people talk, you are not the kind of people that would make good citizens in any civil society. Read Chris' rantings, you think I would want my daughter dating or marrying some idiot like that. I believe that there is a real difference in Americans and United States citizens. Because you have lost your souls you have lost your ability to be Americans. Americans used to be revered, now because of the decline in the morals of my country we are attacked and called the Great Satan. Because of the idiotic opinions of the liberal left and the soul-less rantings I see on this blog I can understand why. You people don't care anything about America, you just want a country where you can do your soul-less things undeterred. The Bible says live as free men but don't let your freedom be an excuse to do evil things. It also says With Great things come great responsibilities and we have been irresponsible in the United States. You can't have a great Nation without great people, and you people no matter how intelligent you seem ( the Bible also says they will fail by their own counsel) are not great people. You are tantamount to anarchist and you destroying the greatness of this country. America is great because she is good, she will cease being great when she ceases to be good. I'm afraid we have started down that road.
175. 13. Liberals upset with fox news?I guess they believe everything on abc,cbs,nbc,cnn,pmsnbc if you want to listen to rhetoric and things taken out od context just listen to the drive by media.and look at the democraps running for president they won't debate on fox news for one reason they will be asked questions that they don't want to answer.and if there afraid of Brit Hume what will they do went then confronted with a terrorist.
robert kennedy at 9:48AM on Apr 28th 2007
Fox news appeals to Republiscums like this illiterate fellow because it aims at their level, supplying ignorant anchors to spew Rove-generated propaganda to all those ignorant Red State viewers who get credit for having secured another dismal four years for THE dumbest, the most divisive, the most Rove-whipped, yet arrogant man to ever, ever sit in the White House in all of American history. Liberals (i.e. those with education, brains, and the will to use them) don't like Fox? You bet, and with good reason.
Oh wait... reason is something Republiscums avoid, for fear of discovering the truth! And we come full circle to the basic fact that, since Fox News couldn't report the unbiased truth if it fell into Brit Hume's lap, Republiscums scurry to watch and be assured that their fantasy take on life in the Good Ole U.S. of A. matches their fearless leader, Mr. Rove, who manipulated the ignorant red-staters into voting his puppet, Bush, to a second term. I'm not upset with Fox News, I just realize it isn't news, unlike it's blind defenders like Mr. Robert Kennedy here, who is obviously nothing like the original Bobby Kennedy.
167. "Fake news stories on FOX, perish the thought! FOX is not a news network, it is an opinion service catering to the fears of angry old white guys. When the head of the network is Roger Ailes, the man that invented the Willie Horton campaign, are we to expect straight news? Fair and balanced lol."
"The is the second recent example of their shoddy journalistic standards. The other was the "Clinton's campaign is investigating Obama's muslim education" crock which they also aired without bothering to fact check."
Rebecca, I am truly amazed at how people like you can twist a story to fit your defunct agenda. You write of failures by Fox to back check while you obviously feel immune to those same prereqisites. You do of course know that the Willie Horton story was created by Democrats, or is this yet, another instance of "change history because the truth hurts?" by Blacks (and their little pet white rabbits to avoid the truth?)Perhaps angry young Blacks?. Just to "keep it real";was the story true? Did Horton, while on work release from prison,rape and torture a young newlywed white couple? DID HE DO IT OR NOT?? There are no BUT,BUTs; it is simple, did this animal do the deed or not? Did Do cok us want to expand the program? I do not remember if he killed anyone. See,I am honest; I do not pop off about things I am ignorant about nor do I fill in the blanks to MY satisfaction
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with
the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured
on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was
published by Crown in 2004.
Reader Comments ( Page 12 of 12)
166. Dan Rather went to town with forged documents -- nothing happened to him, in fact he got another award. Katie Couric literally read a story from another columnist as a page from her "notebook" -- nothing happened to her. Fox did get some of the details of the ham "sandwich" (steak) story incorrect and whoever is responsible for their fact checking should be held accountable. From a journalism/truth standpoint, Dan and Katie made far more glaring and significant errors.
mj at 9:36PM on Apr 30th 2007
167. I am a Vietnam Vet and the Bush Years have been OZ! GW Bush (aka the Scarecrow w/o a brain) got Daddy to buy him into the Texas Air National Guard where he never finished his required time. Dubya never volunteered for Nam but vigorously supported sending others to die for him. Dick Cheney (aka the Cowardly Lion) used 5 draft deferments in order to make sure he never served and sent others to die for him. Per Cheney, "He Had Other Priorities!"
Bush & Cheney are cowards. They "ducked" their war but supported others dieing for them. Now, they send others to die in another needless war.
oldewey at 10:36PM on Apr 30th 2007
168. Bill,
"Real thinkers" get their news from the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=319
lil_turk at 1:50AM on May 1st 2007
169. COME ON PEOPLE, IF THE ISSUE IS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF 'REPORTING' AT FOX NEWS, SOMEONE MIGHT AS WELL SET UP A WEBSITE AND BE PREPARED TO MAN IT 24/7 TO ADDRESS THE CONSTANT STREAM OF MISLEADING, BLATANTLY INACCURATE AND/OR SHAMELESSLY BIASED PROGRAMING. I MUST GIVE RUPERT PROPS FOR REALLY KNOWING THE BUSINESS AND MARKET TO HIS BASE ALSO, ULTRA RIGHT MEDIA WHORE, RODGER AILES AND A BIG HONORABLE MENTION TO MAJOR SELL OUT, RIGHTY MOUTH PIECE AND PROFESSIONAL SPIN DOCTOR OF THE WORST KIND, GOOD OLE BOY SEAN HANNITY AND HIS NEW OVER THE TOP ULTRA-CON 'NEWS' MAGAZINE, WE FIND IT QUITE ENTERTAINING. I TIVO SEGMENTS REGULARLY AND FEATURE THEM AT OUR WEEKLY 'TRASH AND BASH' NIGHT ALONG WITH OTHER CLASSICS LIKE PARTICULARLY SCANDALOUS EPISODES OF JERRY SPRINGER, SO YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY SEAN, (WE LOVE JERRY!) AND YOUR SHOW IS CONSISTANTLY GOOD FOR SOME GREAT CRAP TV. THANK YOU!!!
FRED at 2:52AM on May 1st 2007
170. why would this story suprise you Fox reports only about things that are just below crap
anthony at 11:32AM on May 1st 2007
171. Republicans are currently the most hypocritical, unethical, malevolent force this country has ever experienced. Democrats should not be rejoicing, as their history is nothing to brag about. But Bush and his neoconservative crooks are as big biased liars as the liars, spin artists and fools of Fox News. Rupert Murdoch floats memos to staff telling them how to report. The jackasses that pose as journalists are exactly the type of hotair talking heads that other countries point to as proof of our narcissism and ignorance. Vote Kucinich for a real politician with integrity and the balls to say what he means and do what he says.
David Boz at 10:43PM on May 1st 2007
172. Yeah man, I have this fleeting nightmare of Ann Coulter banging Sean Hannity with an instrument, with Bill O-Reilly pleasuring himself in the background. What a bunch of freaks. All couched in Christianity. Evil is Fox News
David Boz at 10:46PM on May 1st 2007
173. Fake news stories on FOX, perish the thought! FOX is not a news network, it is an opinion service catering to the fears of angry old white guys. When the head of the network is Roger Ailes, the man that invented the Willie Horton campaign, are we to expect straight news? Fair and balanced lol.
The is the second recent example of their shoddy journalistic standards. The other was the "Clinton's campaign is investigating Obama's muslim education" crock which they also aired without bothering to fact check.
Rebecca at 1:32PM on May 2nd 2007
174. Ted Nugent described you Anti-Fox people perfectly on the Hannity and Colmes show tonight. He called you soul-less. By the way some of you people talk, you are not the kind of people that would make good citizens in any civil society. Read Chris' rantings, you think I would want my daughter dating or marrying some idiot like that. I believe that there is a real difference in Americans and United States citizens. Because you have lost your souls you have lost your ability to be Americans. Americans used to be revered, now because of the decline in the morals of my country we are attacked and called the Great Satan. Because of the idiotic opinions of the liberal left and the soul-less rantings I see on this blog I can understand why. You people don't care anything about America, you just want a country where you can do your soul-less things undeterred. The Bible says live as free men but don't let your freedom be an excuse to do evil things. It also says With Great things come great responsibilities and we have been irresponsible in the United States. You can't have a great Nation without great people, and you people no matter how intelligent you seem ( the Bible also says they will fail by their own counsel) are not great people. You are tantamount to anarchist and you destroying the greatness of this country.
America is great because she is good, she will cease being great when she ceases to be good. I'm afraid we have started down that road.
Rocky Williams at 8:40AM on May 3rd 2007
175. 13. Liberals upset with fox news?I guess they believe everything on abc,cbs,nbc,cnn,pmsnbc if you want to listen to rhetoric and things taken out od context just listen to the drive by media.and look at the democraps running for president they won't debate on fox news for one reason they will be asked questions that they don't want to answer.and if there afraid of Brit Hume what will they do went then confronted with a terrorist.
robert kennedy at 9:48AM on Apr 28th 2007
Fox news appeals to Republiscums like this illiterate fellow because it aims at their level, supplying ignorant anchors to spew Rove-generated propaganda to all those ignorant Red State viewers who get credit for having secured another dismal four years for THE dumbest, the most divisive, the most Rove-whipped, yet arrogant man to ever, ever sit in the White House in all of American history. Liberals (i.e. those with education, brains, and the will to use them) don't like Fox? You bet, and with good reason.
Oh wait... reason is something Republiscums avoid, for fear of discovering the truth! And we come full circle to the basic fact that, since Fox News couldn't report the unbiased truth if it fell into Brit Hume's lap, Republiscums scurry to watch and be assured that their fantasy take on life in the Good Ole U.S. of A. matches their fearless leader, Mr. Rove, who manipulated the ignorant red-staters into voting his puppet, Bush, to a second term. I'm not upset with Fox News, I just realize it isn't news, unlike it's blind defenders like Mr. Robert Kennedy here, who is obviously nothing like the original Bobby Kennedy.
Ronald Reagan at 4:40AM on May 4th 2007
176. Rebecca at 1:32PM on May 2nd 2007
167. "Fake news stories on FOX, perish the thought! FOX is not a news network, it is an opinion service catering to the fears of angry old white guys. When the head of the network is Roger Ailes, the man that invented the Willie Horton campaign, are we to expect straight news? Fair and balanced lol."
"The is the second recent example of their shoddy journalistic standards. The other was the "Clinton's campaign is investigating Obama's muslim education" crock which they also aired without bothering to fact check."
Rebecca, I am truly amazed at how people like you can twist a story to fit your defunct agenda. You write of failures by Fox to back check while you obviously feel immune to those same prereqisites. You do of course know that the Willie Horton story was created by Democrats, or is this yet, another instance of "change history because the truth hurts?" by Blacks (and their little pet white rabbits to avoid the truth?)Perhaps angry young Blacks?. Just to "keep it real";was the story true? Did Horton, while on work release from prison,rape and torture a young newlywed white couple? DID HE DO IT OR NOT?? There are no BUT,BUTs; it is simple, did this animal do the deed or not? Did Do cok us want to expand the program? I do not remember if he killed anyone. See,I am honest; I do not pop off about things I am ignorant about nor do I fill in the blanks to MY satisfaction
Bill at 3:30AM on May 11th 2007
177. FAUX NOISE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A NEWS CHANNEL IT SHOULD BE ON COMEDY CENTRAL AS IT IS NOTHING BUT A JOKE!
ANN at 11:59AM on May 14th 2007
178. who in hell is "cent uygur "???? aside from being a jackass ?
jackie at 4:35PM on May 14th 2007