O’Reilly: Fox Vandalized, Attacked
Friday, January 11, 2008 12:10 PM
By: Jim Meyers
Friday, January 11, 2008 12:10 PM
By: Jim Meyers
Bill O’Reilly says all Fox News employees are now “cautious” after several run-ins during coverage of the New Hampshire primary that were fueled by “anti-Fox hatred.”
In his syndicated column out this week, O’Reilly described attacks on Fox that border on violence.
“I saw the anti-Fox hatred first-hand when I traveled to New Hampshire. Fox News vehicles have been vandalized; FNC reporters cursed; and all Fox News personnel are cautious,” the cable news star writes.
O’Reilly also detailed in his column an encounter he had at a Barack Obama rally, which was aired on “The O’Reilly Factor.” O’Reilly described an Obama staffer’s attempt to block his camera crew “a blatant assault on press freedom.”
O’Reilly says the anger towards Fox is due to the network’s ratings success, which has created “a bitterness unprecedented in the U.S. press.
“So it comes as no surprise that Fox News, which gives equal time to conservative thought, is despised by many in the liberal press."
O’Reilly said that Democratic presidential candidates have refused to take part in debates sponsored by Fox News because “the far-left Web crazies told them to do it. Sites like the Daily Kos and Media Matters made it clear to the Democrats that anyone dealing with Fox would be punished.”
O’Reilly added: “Note that the GOP candidates haven’t played that game, appearing on ultra-liberal MSNBC and every other news network.”
MSNBC has also been in O’Reilly’s crosshairs.
Parent company GE was featured on "The O’Reilly Factor" Thursday night, including allegations the conglomerate went easy on the bin Laden family after the Sept. 11 attacks. GE has done business with the bin Laden family.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
I don't know that this is true; I wasn't there. But because there is a definite anti-Fox sentiment, I believe it did. Other network media and representatives don't like that Fox presents another side of the story. I've watched Fox News and I believe that the news is balanced. Now that's not to say that commentators like O'Reilly or Hannity or anyone else don't present their own opinions, they do. But remember, they are commentators, not reporters. I don't watch network news anymore because it is decidedly liberal and presents too much network opinion, not fact.
Look, this is my opinion. If you don't like what the media (MSM, cable, print, radio, whatever) reports, then either blog it, write your newspaper editor, start your own media service, talk to your friends, relative, co-workers, whoever will listen, or shut up. Don't try to stop people from reporting the news. Be an adult and find appropriate ways to express your opinion. You can't abridge freedom of speech or freedom of the press. And that goes for both sides.
Here's one idea: politicians, if you don't like the way a network or reporter reports on you, or a commentator talks about you, then go to them and try to make friends. You might find they are a little easier on you, or at the very least, they might understand you better once you have talked to them. Communication is the key to getting along with people, not assault, or even trash talk. Honest back and forth communication. You might not change anyone's mind, but they will at least understand why you think they way you do.
In his syndicated column out this week, O’Reilly described attacks on Fox that border on violence.
“I saw the anti-Fox hatred first-hand when I traveled to New Hampshire. Fox News vehicles have been vandalized; FNC reporters cursed; and all Fox News personnel are cautious,” the cable news star writes.
O’Reilly also detailed in his column an encounter he had at a Barack Obama rally, which was aired on “The O’Reilly Factor.” O’Reilly described an Obama staffer’s attempt to block his camera crew “a blatant assault on press freedom.”
O’Reilly says the anger towards Fox is due to the network’s ratings success, which has created “a bitterness unprecedented in the U.S. press.
“So it comes as no surprise that Fox News, which gives equal time to conservative thought, is despised by many in the liberal press."
O’Reilly said that Democratic presidential candidates have refused to take part in debates sponsored by Fox News because “the far-left Web crazies told them to do it. Sites like the Daily Kos and Media Matters made it clear to the Democrats that anyone dealing with Fox would be punished.”
O’Reilly added: “Note that the GOP candidates haven’t played that game, appearing on ultra-liberal MSNBC and every other news network.”
MSNBC has also been in O’Reilly’s crosshairs.
Parent company GE was featured on "The O’Reilly Factor" Thursday night, including allegations the conglomerate went easy on the bin Laden family after the Sept. 11 attacks. GE has done business with the bin Laden family.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
I don't know that this is true; I wasn't there. But because there is a definite anti-Fox sentiment, I believe it did. Other network media and representatives don't like that Fox presents another side of the story. I've watched Fox News and I believe that the news is balanced. Now that's not to say that commentators like O'Reilly or Hannity or anyone else don't present their own opinions, they do. But remember, they are commentators, not reporters. I don't watch network news anymore because it is decidedly liberal and presents too much network opinion, not fact.
Look, this is my opinion. If you don't like what the media (MSM, cable, print, radio, whatever) reports, then either blog it, write your newspaper editor, start your own media service, talk to your friends, relative, co-workers, whoever will listen, or shut up. Don't try to stop people from reporting the news. Be an adult and find appropriate ways to express your opinion. You can't abridge freedom of speech or freedom of the press. And that goes for both sides.
Here's one idea: politicians, if you don't like the way a network or reporter reports on you, or a commentator talks about you, then go to them and try to make friends. You might find they are a little easier on you, or at the very least, they might understand you better once you have talked to them. Communication is the key to getting along with people, not assault, or even trash talk. Honest back and forth communication. You might not change anyone's mind, but they will at least understand why you think they way you do.
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