# Fox News employed shills to rant in blog comments **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 22, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909 "2013-10-22T05:06:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/21 "2013-10-22T18:39:51Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > I need to take back what I just said about _The Guardian_. I was mistaking them for one of a number of British tabloids, but I was wrong. They actually do pretty decent journalism. However, I still stand by the first part of my post. “Persona Management Software” is not remarkable in the least. There are radio commercials in my area that promise to “improve your online persona” if you just call them. These companies will create socks for you even if all your business does is paint houses. I think _The Daily Mail_ is probably the one you had in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/22 "2013-10-22T18:43:26Z")
Paul Krugman discusses the posters that he has banned, whom he calls “trolls” and “sock puppets”. That’s why this thread was in ATMB. Who knew Krugman was our newest SDMB moderator? Let us all join now in welcoming him! Let the goat and squid ensue! ETA: And send man an honorary SDMB Coffee Mug! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/23 "2013-10-22T18:43:55Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Why is this in About This Message Board? > > Moving to The Pit. I’m guessing it was posted in ATMB because it was intended as a question about people who have posted here on SDMB. > [@](#): > > I’m wondering though whether The Powers That Be and The Posters That Be believe that some of those banned here have been professionals (other than obvious spammers). In particular, looking for official response on membership. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/24 "2013-10-22T19:04:24Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > I think _The Daily Mail_ is probably the one you had in mind. Sorta, but not really. What I was really mixing it up with was _The Sun_. I had remembered the phone hacking scandal, but I forgot who was who. It’s also amusing to note that _The Sun_ is owned by… wait for it… Rupert Murdoch. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/25 "2013-10-22T20:23:29Z")
😛 > [@TubaDiva](#): > > Why is this in About This Message Board? > > Moving to The Pit. Because I was asking a question _about this message board_: what’s the prevalence of shills here? True, it’s a matter for speculation. But the mods are particularly equipped to engage in such. No worries about the move though. I was just answering the question. Mods feel free to move this thread wherever you want, including the Game Room. Frankly, this could go in GQ, MPSIMS, GD, Cafe Society or IMHO. ETA: I’ll address the blistering attacks on my honor, decency, patriotism, personal hygiene, distorted perceptions and various sundry chips on my shoulder later or at an appropriate time. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/26 "2013-10-22T20:49:47Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > ETA: I’ll address the blistering attacks on my honor, decency, patriotism, personal hygiene, distorted perceptions and various sundry chips on my shoulder later or at an appropriate time. 😛 You forgot fashion style. Because, buddy, crocs aren’t considered dress shoes _anywhere_. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/27 "2013-10-22T20:56:23Z")
Media and government shills definitely want to reach that coveted message board audience, right after they’re done posting on Myspace. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/28 "2013-10-22T22:29:40Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Since this is not the pit, we probably shouldn’t name names. I’m wondering though whether The Powers That Be and The Posters That Be believe that some of those banned here have been professionals (other than obvious spammers). Also, if Murdoch hired such clowns, there’s reason to suspect that others did as well. During the last election, I meant to start a Pit or ATMB thread about the sudden influx of far-right, inexplicably immune to reason, new posters who signed up, tended to support one another, and then disappeared. I didn’t because it wasn’t something I was really keeping track of, so couldn’t provide sufficient details; wasn’t sure if that lack of specificity also meant confirmation bias/lack of an actual influx; and didn’t want to directly call or appear to call anyone a sock. I don’t recall a large flood of super-left leaning and equally idiotic posters (note: it’s not idiotic to hold conservative opinions; it’s idiotic to express things that lack a grounding in reality), suggesting that it was either an organized, very broad effort (we’re just a blip on the net, after all) or some sort of Stormfront-like raiding party by the Freepers or a similarly unintelligible conservative gang of idiots. But then again, I’m also convinced that there are two or three very sad people out there who keep making serial sock puppets to pull on MPSIMS heartstrings or do their best to piss off the board. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/29 "2013-10-22T23:17:56Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Because _you’re_ working for The Man! I demand an investigation into the presence of paid shills on the SDMB at once. Hell, if any of the moderation staff are getting paid, it’s not by the SDMB…we gotta get our spending money SOMEWHERE, you know. > [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > But then again, I’m also convinced that there are two or three very sad people out there who keep making serial sock puppets to pull on MPSIMS heartstrings or do their best to piss off the board. Yes, there are. We have A List. You don’t want to be on it. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/30 "2013-10-23T00:49:17Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > You forgot fashion style. Because, buddy, crocs aren’t considered dress shoes _anywhere_. _::Eyes widen::_ I better write this down. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/31 "2013-10-23T03:49:18Z")
Microsoft, bless its sordid little heart, is an internet [**astroturfing pioneer**](http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/23/news/mn-37472). Wikipedia has an article on the practice [**here**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing) that includes various countries’ actions against it (whether effective or not, obviously). > [@](#): > > United States > > The Federal Trade Commission’s astroturfing regulations, called “The Guide to Endorsements and Testimonials” were published in 1975 and updated in 1980[3] and updated in 2009 to address social media and word-of-mouth marketing.[4] > > The FTC considers reviews endorsement when reviewers or bloggers receive payment or in-kind payment such as free products. Such endorsement must be disclosed. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/32 "2013-10-23T04:12:57Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Paul Krugman believes that he has [encountered those who are, “pretty obviously professional trolls”](http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/attack-of-the-sock-puppets/?_r=0) Well, he ought to know because he is one. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/33 "2013-10-23T04:19:53Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Well, he ought to know because he is one. I know you are but am I?!11?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/34 "2013-10-23T04:29:50Z")
Wikipedia cracks down on PR shills, [bans 250 users for sockpuppetry and suspicious activity](http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/10/21/wikimedia_foundation_blocks_hundreds_of_accounts_due_to_sockpuppetry/). Earlier expose by [vice.com](http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/is-wikipedia-for-sale). An outfit calling itself Wiki-PR has the slogan: “We write it. We manage it. You never worry about Wikipedia again." ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/35 "2013-10-23T16:36:23Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Because _you’re_ working for The Man! I demand an investigation into the presence of paid shills on the SDMB at once. Not until I collect my Xmas shill bonus. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been accused of being a Big Pharma/Big Medicine shill on health forums, I could buy everyone in this thread a Happy Meal (or a nice cauliflower/kale salad for you health nuts). If it sounds like I’m not very angsty about the idea that shills may be posting in online forums/comment sections, that’s correct. What I find much more annoying is the default tactic assumed by people whose pitiful arguments are shot down in flames - falling back on denouncing their opponents as shills.\* \*this is doubly idiotic when such accusations come from alt med supporters in forums infested with spammers/shills for various alt med products and services (whose activities are not questioned). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/36 "2013-10-23T17:01:22Z")
Well, Big Pharma _does_ pay your bills. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/37 "2013-10-23T18:44:23Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’m wondering though whether The Powers That Be and The Posters That Be believe that some of those banned here have been professionals (other than obvious spammers). Also, if Murdoch hired such clowns, there’s reason to suspect that others did as well. I’m also wondering whether it is believed that a few of our resident socks are paid shills. That is the topic of this thread: what’s the prevalence of directly paid shills on this message board? – — …- -. --. — -. **Jackmannii** - I’ve never read the accusations in question, but I sort of doubt that you were being accused of receiving payments in return for your promotion of Big Pharma. “Shilling for Big Pharma” could merely allude to an assertion about your vocation or simply a predictable stance. This thread is devoted to those who actually are compensated directly for posting at the SDMB. Paranoid? Well, no: the comment section of blog posts have far less reach than this message board. Naive? Well, no: I’m well aware of the existence of spammers. I would have thought though that the PR dept of a media outlet wouldn’t bother with message boards, but I guess I was wrong. **Senegoid** - The Krugman citation backed up the claims about Fox News. I was adding substantiation. [QUOTE=Stink Fish Pot] …to think that FOX or any other organization would hire a shill to rant on a blog is a bit much. Not because they would be above doing it, but because… [/QUOTE] …which explains why I provided multiple citations. The author who uncovered this received confirmation from 4 Fox News employees. Hey, I’ve been accused of paranoia _and_ naivete. You would think it would be one or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/38 "2013-10-23T18:49:50Z")
Where are all these paid-shill job postings that everyone keeps talking about? Seems like a pretty lucrative field. I bet it’s all just one guy in his mom’s basement. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/39 "2013-10-23T18:56:36Z")
I’ll rank this below businesses complaining to Yelp and having negative (yet accurate) reviews removed. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909/40 "2013-10-23T19:08:42Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I find this claim, especially the “almost exclusively” bit, remarkable. Cite? Of course you do. I’m not going to dig up a cite for you. This is the pit. Find your own fuckin’ cite, our keep your head in the sand. I know it to be a fact because \*it is \*a fact. Don’t worry… Both sides do it. That’s the way it is. I was given keys to the magic kingdom once, and saw the man behind the curtain. The sausage being made, so to speak. I _know_. If you think it is just the mean old Republicans doing this, you really need to grow up. Or believe in the superiority of the left wing. Here, let me do this for you. :smack: Just multiply by 100, and maybe you will see a spark. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-employed-shills-to-rant-in-blog-comments/671909.md?page=3)