We just saw this on FRONTLINE, and it is mind-boggling... this is far more than I expected... this could actually affect FOX News in the USA... there are American laws against journalists bribing foreign officials... we shall see... this is really profound stuff...
I guess that is the qualification these days. Not just for Fox, of course.
Many of the other networks are definitely lazy in corralling "experts" to spout on their opinion and even news programming. Witness all of the "experts" who assured us that there were WMD in Iraq on mainstream media shows.
Its a trend and a shame that the only criteria needed to be cited as an expert nowadays is to have a book published.
With Fox at least, whenever they bring someone on as an 'expert' they usually flash the book that the 'expert' has written as a credential. Not claiming it justifies anything, just that it is.
Self publishing has diminished this 'credential' as well.
I guess that is the qualification these days. Not just for Fox, of course.
I'm generally suspicious when any news organization touts someone as an "expert" without citing any viable proof. It's even more dodgy when these "experts" have radical agendas which are not mentioned.
Its a trend and a shame that the only criteria needed to be cited as an expert nowadays is to have a book published.
With Fox at least, whenever they bring someone on as an 'expert' they usually flash the book that the 'expert' has written as a credential. Not claiming it justifies anything, just that it is.
Self publishing has diminished this 'credential' as well.
I'm generally suspicious when any news organization touts someone as an "expert" without citing any viable proof. It's even more dodgy when these "experts" have radical agendas which are not mentioned.
Fox News is now actively concealing a link between an Alabama-based blogger repeatedly featured on the network as an expert and allegations of a domestic terrorist plot.
This morning on America's Newsroom, Fox News ran an extensive report on yesterday's arrest of four Georgia men accused of plotting an attack on federal employees and U.S. citizens using explosives, guns, and the biological toxin ricin. At the end of the segment, correspondent Jonathan Serrie pointed out that one of the defendants "allegedly cited the online novel Absolved, which discusses small groups of citizens attacking U.S. officials," with the defendant allegedly "saying that the attacks would be based on events in that novel."
Charging documents indeed state that accused plotter Frederick Thomas repeatedly cited as an inspiration the novel Absolved, in which underground militia fighters declare war on the federal government over gun control laws and same-sex marriage, leading to a second American revolution. But Fox's report neglected to mention the allegedly inspirational novel's author, who is no stranger to Fox viewers.
Indeed, the author, Mike Vanderboegh, has been mainstreamed by the network, which has repeatedly featured him as an expert on the ATF's failed Operation Fast and Furious. Fox has identified Vanderboegh as an "online journalist" and an "authority on the Fast and Furious investigation," and has consistently failed to acknowledge his extremist views, actions, and affiliations.
with a professional, objective, unbiased, accurate caption to the title to the article because, of course, this is fair and balanced, unbiased, legitimate news - and not some political propaganda machine.
Let's try again to talk about Fox and Murdoch, for those that will listen.
Here's the list of what he owns. His media feeds our people with the information that he chooses to put out which furthers his attempt at maintaining power and profit - both in corporations and in political influence.
From looking at this list, it's very clear to me that information from Fox is not to be trusted. Can others think independently of this propaganda machine or will they simply parrot its statements and remain ignorant?
Unlike nuggler's screeds of a vaporous "them," this is factual and mind boggling. Here is a very truncated list of Murdoch's influence on our society and its politics:
Dow Jones Financial Information Services — produces databases, electronic media, newsletters, conferences, directories, and other information services on specialised markets and industry sectors.
Betten Financial News — leading Dutch language financial and economic news service.
Local Media Group'
Dow Jones Local Media Group (formerly Ottaway Community Newspapers) - 8 daily and 15 weekly regional newspapers.
Strategic Alliances
STOXX (33%) - joint venture with Deutsche Boerse and SWG Group for the development and distribution of Dow Jones STOXX indices.
Vedomosti (33%) - Russia's leading financial newspaper (joint venture with Financial Times and Independent Media).
Go back to the beginning, where he owns the Sun and gets the attention of the working man with Page 3 topless girls. He cultivates the attention of the middle/lower class by drawing them in like that, and then using the paper to promote the ideals that serve his needs. He becomes more wealthy and more powerful. He needs the same vehicle in the US - he leaves behind his Australian citizenship to become American so that he can begin to buy American media.
He needs to develop a method of communication in the US similar to the Sun, but can't do the topless Page 3 girls, so he creates Fox news and its attractive female spokespersons. At the same time, he uses that station to tell viewers what he thinks would be in his best interests: e.g., that global warming is false, that progressive politics is against the working man's best interests (which is the exact opposite of the truth - large corporations are moral-less agencies only trying to make a profit, regardless of the benefit to the worker).
The breadth of his control of the media is incredible, and too many Americans have been tricked by it, thinking it to be accurate. It is, instead, a simple tool to maintain his wealth.
