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Leaked email reveals FOX News boss banned reporters from using the phrase 'public option'
FOX News has been accused numerous times of having a hand in the Republican Party cookie jar when it comes to their reporting.
And while it's the home of conservative talk show hosts like Sean Hannity, the organization has always been able to defend itself by saying their talk shows are completely separate from their news reporting. Now, that defense may not be so easy to make.
Progressive media site, Media Matters, reports that FOX News' Washington managing editor, Bill Sammon, issued a memo banning its reporters from using the phrase "public option" last year amidst the heated health care reform debate.
Instead, he gave FOX reporters three apparently Republican pollster-approved alternatives to use instead. Check out the email below:
From: Sammon, BillSent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:23 AMTo: 054 -FNSunday; 169 -SPECIAL REPORT; 069 -Politics; 030 -Root (FoxNews.Com); 036 -FOX.WHU; 050 -Senior Producers; 051 -ProducersSubject: friendly reminder: let's not slip back into calling it the "public option"1) Please use the term "government-run health insurance" or, when brevity is a concern, "government option," whenever possible.2) When it is necessary to use the term "public option" (which is, after all, firmly ensconced in the nation's lexicon), use the qualifier "so-called," as in "the so-called public option."3) Here's another way to phrase it: "The public option, which is the government-run plan."4) When newsmakers and sources use the term "public option" in our stories, there's not a lot we can do about it, since quotes are of course sacrosanct.
FOX's senior vice president for news, Michael Clemente, then replied that he preferred the third option. As soon as that evening, reporters began using Sammon's alternatives to "public option" on-air when discussing health care reform.
In his defense, Sammon spoke to The Daily Beast saying, "I have no idea what the Republicans were pushing or not. It's simply an accurate, fair, objective term."
As you know, the "public option" was removed from the health care bill before it was passed, which some believe greatly strayed from its intended purpose of making health care insurance affordable for all Americans.
Do you think Sammon's ban on using the phrase "public option" effectively slanted FOX's news coverage toward the Republicans in the health care debate?
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Only idiots watch FOX News anyways, so it's not surprising that how things are run there.
This is SOP for Fox and the other networks also, IMO. To Fox - public opinion is what we tell you what it is. Public option i banned and becomes Govt Healthcare of lack thereof...
Why would this be news to anyone? FOX is not an unbias news source. It has the oldest demographic of any other television show -65 years. Look it up if you don't believe that. These people are the least likely constituent to want any social changes. FOX is like comfort food to the people who watch it -but it is hardly progressive or balanced in its reporting. Everyone knows it is solid in the Republican camp and attacks anything that is moderate. My mother watches FOX news religiously and believes that anything left of a conservative mindset is liberal -even the moderates. Now that's brainwashing -it's almost cult-like.
I am not a fan of Fox, but in their defense...
Option means "a choice" and in the Govt healthcare bill, we have no choice. It is not an "option" so they are correct.
I agree with Bob.
Also, using the term "Public Option" is disingenuous at best, it implies that it's the option the public would choose, or that (without any analysis)it's good for the general public... it's a "feel good" term.
Calling it "government-run health insurance", or "government option" is a more accurate name for it, no matter which side of politics you lean toward.
Good for fox, calling it what it is. There is nothing more slanted or unamerican than good ole CNN. Talk about bias and pro tax and spend, it's good ole CNN.
You democraps all have the same old tired story, blame it on Bush.
I hope assange is hung when they bring that little wimp up on the espionage charge.
The word option make sense to be used, since the idea is to have other option than private (for money) insurance. So Bob is wrong.
I think the obvious about how Fox is biased is this: "the so-called public option."
"So-called" could be used on anything. So how often it is used by Fox on catch word/sentence used by Republicain?
Like:
- So-called no child behind
- So-called weapon of mass destruction
I'm Canadian, I always feel when I watch fox that reporter are more like actor. It's well known that if you want real news about US you are better watching news from other country.