Foxnews, owned by the Fox Corporation in New York City, is a cable news channel that broadcasts information on various topics.
A series of text messages and emails obtained by The Verge reveal the network’s senior executives and high-profile hosts had little regard for facts. They chose not to tell viewers what they believed to be accurate in fear of alienating them and ruining the company, yet their actions still reflect poorly on them.
The migrant caravan
Fox News has been fomenting fears about the Central American migrant caravan as it makes its way towards America. Anchors have shown footage of Border Patrol agents firing tear gas, asserting that these migrants are “invading” America.
Caravans were originally founded by mothers fleeing gang violence, extortion and poverty in their home countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Today they include children who are also fleeing similar conditions.
The journey ahead is long and uncertain, but some members of the caravan are seeking asylum in America. They say they do so to secure a safer life for themselves and their children.
The caravan is a powerful symbol for Trump’s base, who views immigrants as “lawless” invaders intent on taking advantage of them and taking away their resources. Fox anchors have used it as an opportunity to inflame fears about border security and immigration ahead of midterm elections.
The Trump administration
President Trump has long been an admirer of Fox News, according to a New York Times report. Since taking office, President Trump has given 20 interviews on the network.
However, some experts now assert that the network has evolved into more than just a safe haven for the president; it has become an active participant in his administration.
Bill Shine, a former co-president of Fox, has since been appointed the White House’s communications director. Yet according to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Shine has received millions of dollars from Fox since joining the administration last year despite federal ethics and conflict-of-interest laws.
He’s a major donor to America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC. Additionally, he has worked to repeal key civil rights protections such as the Justice Department office that helps address conflicts, tensions, and discrimination within communities across America.
The 2020 election
In the 2020 election, voters chose a new president and congressional leaders. Additionally, they expressed their opinions on an array of issues such as healthcare, immigration, the economy, and climate change.
Overall, the election saw a major shift in power from one party to another. Democrats held 15 “trifectas,” or control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office, while Republicans held 20 seats.
In spite of the political shift, some states still maintained their divided government status. Examples include New Hampshire and Montana, whose gubernatorial elections were decided by a razor-thin margin.
But the most dramatic impact of the 2020 election was felt not on the national stage but at Fox News. In the weeks following its conclusion, some of its high-profile hosts disregarded factual evidence and exaggerated claims about voter fraud – an act which violates a fundamental tenant of democracy according to newly released text messages between top executives and leading hosts that have been referenced in two defamation lawsuits against Fox.
The media
Media are the conduits through which people receive news and entertainment. This includes television, radio and online platforms that cover local and global events as well as popular culture and entertainment.
Though many consider media outlets to be neutral sources for news reporting, there are those who disagree. They contend that Fox News, which leans conservative, does not provide impartial reporting.
According to a report by the UK’s Ofcom, some shows on Fox News violated rules that require them to be impartial in their reporting. It also broke another similar rule which prohibits political candidates from giving exclusive interviews to television stations.
Global publics overwhelmingly endorse the need for impartial reporting when it comes to political matters, yet people tend to be dissatisfied with how their media handles such stories.
