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Color of Change Ad Decries Fox Race-Baiting
By: Denise Stewart, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Controversial news show host Glenn Beck signs off today from his afternoon slot on Fox News. But while Beck makes an exit, media watchdog groups have revved up campaigns to address other racially divisive issues with the network.
Color of Change, an Internet-based civil rights organization, took aim Wednesday at the leaders of Fox and its parent company, News Corporation, calling into question the language of another host with a full page ad in the New York Daily News.
The ad was an open letter addressed to News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdock and Roger Ailes, chairman of Fox News and Fox Business.
On Friday, June 10, <span style="font-style: italic">Eric Bolling, host of "Follow the Money" on the Fox Business Network, teased a story about <span style="font-weight: bold">the White House hosting President Ali Bongo of Gabon by saying, “It’s not the first time he’s had a hoodlum in the hizzouse</span>.”</span>
A few days later, Color of Change launched a petition calling for Ailes to fire Bolling because of those comments and because of another segment where he said, President Obama was too busy “chugging 40s” in Ireland to respond quickly to the tornadoes in Missouri.
“This is part of the culture at Fox News. What we are saying that it is time for them to stop dividing the races to make a dollar,” said Rashad Robinson, executive director of ColorofChange.org. “We have had enough of this.”
While the campaign against Beck gained success by working to reduce the number of advertisers on his show, Robinson said that approach is not planned at this time to address the most recent issues.
“This time we are appealing directly to Ailes and to Rupert Murdock,” Robinson told BlackAmericaweb.com.
“Fox Business and Fox News continue to be safe havens for commentators who try to peddle racial stereotypes as hard news,” Robinson said. “Last week, we let Mr. Ailes know that more than 110,000 people have called on him to do the right thing, and we’ve received no response. Today, we are sending the message that we will not remain silent as Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes continue their efforts to divide Americans along the lines of race.”
Overall, Fox News shows continue to be successful, according to quarterly rating released earlier this week. Twelve of the most watched cable news shows are aired on Fox. The only show with a decline in the second quarter ratings was Beck’s show, which was down 14 percent in viewers and 26 percent in the 24-to-54 demographic.
Angelo Carusone, a campaign director with Media Matters, said a majority of Americans do not support news programs that prey on the racial anxieties and fear of viewers.
“It’s not profitable to propagate racial division,” Carusone told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
He would like to see a formal apology to the White House and disciplinary action for Bolling following the comment regarding the president.
“<span style="font-style: italic">FOX News used a photo of Tina Fey in a graphic recently when doing a story on Sarah Palin, and there was an almost immediate apology, and disciplinary action was taken on the people responsible,” he said. “Why not do the same here</span>?”
As criticism mounted over Bolling’s comments about the president, he apologized in a subsequent show. "We got a little fast and loose with the language, and we know it's been interpreted as being disrespectful, and for that, I'm sorry. We did go a bit too far,” Bolling said on Monday, June 13.
An article published in the Los Angeles Times referred to a statement from Kevin Magee, executive vice president of Fox Business Network, who said in a statement: "I spoke with Eric and his producer, and we all agree the line was crossed, thus Monday night's apology. We now consider the matter closed."
Carusone said a change in culture is needed at FOX, and Media Matters will continue to make that point.
“We’re hoping to get them to see," he said, "that it’s just not a sound business decision to continue with shows and hosts who propagate racial division."
By: Denise Stewart, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Controversial news show host Glenn Beck signs off today from his afternoon slot on Fox News. But while Beck makes an exit, media watchdog groups have revved up campaigns to address other racially divisive issues with the network.
Color of Change, an Internet-based civil rights organization, took aim Wednesday at the leaders of Fox and its parent company, News Corporation, calling into question the language of another host with a full page ad in the New York Daily News.
The ad was an open letter addressed to News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdock and Roger Ailes, chairman of Fox News and Fox Business.
On Friday, June 10, <span style="font-style: italic">Eric Bolling, host of "Follow the Money" on the Fox Business Network, teased a story about <span style="font-weight: bold">the White House hosting President Ali Bongo of Gabon by saying, “It’s not the first time he’s had a hoodlum in the hizzouse</span>.”</span>
A few days later, Color of Change launched a petition calling for Ailes to fire Bolling because of those comments and because of another segment where he said, President Obama was too busy “chugging 40s” in Ireland to respond quickly to the tornadoes in Missouri.
“This is part of the culture at Fox News. What we are saying that it is time for them to stop dividing the races to make a dollar,” said Rashad Robinson, executive director of ColorofChange.org. “We have had enough of this.”
While the campaign against Beck gained success by working to reduce the number of advertisers on his show, Robinson said that approach is not planned at this time to address the most recent issues.
“This time we are appealing directly to Ailes and to Rupert Murdock,” Robinson told BlackAmericaweb.com.
“Fox Business and Fox News continue to be safe havens for commentators who try to peddle racial stereotypes as hard news,” Robinson said. “Last week, we let Mr. Ailes know that more than 110,000 people have called on him to do the right thing, and we’ve received no response. Today, we are sending the message that we will not remain silent as Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes continue their efforts to divide Americans along the lines of race.”
Overall, Fox News shows continue to be successful, according to quarterly rating released earlier this week. Twelve of the most watched cable news shows are aired on Fox. The only show with a decline in the second quarter ratings was Beck’s show, which was down 14 percent in viewers and 26 percent in the 24-to-54 demographic.
Angelo Carusone, a campaign director with Media Matters, said a majority of Americans do not support news programs that prey on the racial anxieties and fear of viewers.
“It’s not profitable to propagate racial division,” Carusone told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
He would like to see a formal apology to the White House and disciplinary action for Bolling following the comment regarding the president.
“<span style="font-style: italic">FOX News used a photo of Tina Fey in a graphic recently when doing a story on Sarah Palin, and there was an almost immediate apology, and disciplinary action was taken on the people responsible,” he said. “Why not do the same here</span>?”
As criticism mounted over Bolling’s comments about the president, he apologized in a subsequent show. "We got a little fast and loose with the language, and we know it's been interpreted as being disrespectful, and for that, I'm sorry. We did go a bit too far,” Bolling said on Monday, June 13.
An article published in the Los Angeles Times referred to a statement from Kevin Magee, executive vice president of Fox Business Network, who said in a statement: "I spoke with Eric and his producer, and we all agree the line was crossed, thus Monday night's apology. We now consider the matter closed."
Carusone said a change in culture is needed at FOX, and Media Matters will continue to make that point.
“We’re hoping to get them to see," he said, "that it’s just not a sound business decision to continue with shows and hosts who propagate racial division."
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