FoxNew delegitimized, Dobbs gone would not have occurred were it not partially for the watchful ears and eyes of MediaMatters. Let’s keep them funded to keep up their good work.
Dear Friend, Over the course of the year, right-wing media figures have repeatedly shown that there are no depths they won’t sink to in order to derail progressive change in America.
And we’ve been there aggressively fighting back every step of the way. But we need your support to continue our work in 2010.
Fox News: A 24/7 Political Operation
Media Matters has been at the forefront of exposing the transformation of Fox News from a partisan news outlet into a 24/7 political operation that essentially functions as a right-wing advocacy group. This year, Fox News and its personalities coordinated faux-grassroots political events, actively lobbied for and against various pieces of legislation, and openly fundraised for conservative causes.
In March, the network devoted extensive airtime and space online to promoting the anti-Obama "tea party" protests. Over the summer, the network’s hosts and anchors encouraged people to disrupt health care town halls. In September, Media Matters posted video of a Fox News producer coaching attendees of the Glenn Beck-organized 9/12 March on Washington to start cheering seconds before a live report from the event. The footage led to major media outlets openly questioning the credibility of the so-called "news" network.
Thanks in part to Media Matters’ research, criticism of Fox News’ loss of its journalistic credibility became part of the national conversation. The White House bluntly called Fox "opinion journalism masquerading as news" and operating "as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party." Even Fox News’ Bernie Goldberg nervously acknowledged the growing criticism: "If they repeat this long enough and often enough — that Fox News is not a real news organization, it’s an arm of the national Republican Party, it’s not to be taken seriously — if they say that long enough, it might become part of bloodstream of the American culture."
Dobbs, Dropped:
For years, Lou Dobbs used his prominent platform on CNN as a perch to spread hate, misinformation, and wild conspiracy theories. Thanks in no small part to the work of Media Matters and activists like you, Dobbs is now just another right-wing radio host.
In September, in partnership with NDN, America’s Voice, the National Council of La Raza, LULAC, and more than a dozen other prominent progressive, Hispanic, and civil rights groups, we launched DropDobbs.com, which placed new focus on Lou Dobbs’ ongoing hate speech and misinformation. Complementary efforts, including the amazing grassroots organizing and activism conducted by Presente.org through its BastaDobbs campaign, were critical to keeping the pressure on Dobbs and CNN.
And our work paid off. Dobbs’ dangerous, one-sided, and conspiracy-tinged reporting will no longer be seen on CNN. He suddenly announced his departure from the network in November. This was a great victory for those who care about our nation of immigrants and believe in the power of media to elevate the political discourse.
Thank you for your help combating conservative misinformation in the media.
David Brock
Founder and CEO, Media Matters for AmericaP.S. – Please tell your friends to join us in fighting to hold the media accountable.
