# Has Fox news ever gone this far as a propaganda machine? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 3, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284 "2013-10-03T18:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/1 "2013-10-03T18:24:44Z")
We’re all used to the obvious, that Fox is a Republican/far right marketing outlet than any sort of news organization. If your reality filter is so broken that you want to parrot the ‘they’re just like the NYTimes’ or some other blather, kindly go somewhere else. You’re a laughable idiot with sub-par comprehension and critical thinking skills who can offer nothing but a distraction here. Go start a different thread on the Fox-as-Propaganda premise; this one is for people with the capacity to think rationally and take the premise as a given. That said, holy hell I’ve never seen Fox be so blatant before. Yes, on one or two issues, whether it’s reversing the D and R in a politician’s name or their general astroturfing of the tea party. But much of that took slightly wider view and a mild awareness to see for what it was. Now? Whether it’s the major push to call it a “slimdown” or struggle to shift the blame for the shutdown to the Democrats, it’s been an all-out propaganda war. Things like “TWO VIEWS OF THE BUDGET IMPASSE: Reid holding gov’t hostage | GOP already won, why not compromise?” their recent “Budget Battle, can we do without HUD Education Department, IRS NASA” and their cat call that Boener is in DC ready to talk but Obama is out somewhere campaigning or some drivel like that. It’s a massive effort on their part to change the conversation, an effort at a scale I don’t think I’ve seen from them before. Have you? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/2 "2013-10-03T18:28:08Z")
Sadly, I think they can go even farther towards being a propaganda arm. Much, much farther. I don’t think we have seen anything yet. ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/3 "2013-10-03T18:32:12Z")
After stuff like this: [http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg](http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg) I don’t think you CAN reach any lower. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/4 "2013-10-03T18:37:05Z")
The most blatant I saw was during the last election when they used “we” to include themselves and the GOP. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/5 "2013-10-03T18:39:14Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > After stuff like this: [http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg](http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg) > > I don’t think you CAN reach any lower. Pit me for being an idiot…but did they really put those photos up? Why didn’t they just put up a picture of Mr. Potato Head and get it over with? Jesus Christ Almighty tapdancing with Joseph and Mary in Tinseltown! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/6 "2013-10-03T18:47:42Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > After stuff like this: [http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg](http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg) > > I don’t think you CAN reach any lower. Wow, they really put some effort into giving Mr. Steinberg a big ol’ nose, didn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/7 "2013-10-03T18:53:19Z")
That was horrific. I put their names into Google and found a couple articles for [context](http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/7/fox-news-we-photoshop-you-decide). The ‘we’ thing was pretty funny, but a slip of the curtain rather than an organized propaganda push. I’m flabbergasted at how hard they’re working on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/8 "2013-10-03T19:00:03Z")
I still remember channel surfing past FOXNEWS during election time. Anytime they found some poll, any poll that showed either Obama down in the race or that his approval rating was down, they’d run a scrolling banner across the bottom of the screen screaming !!! FOX NEWS ALERT!! OBAMA APPROVAL RATING DOWN 4%!!! or !!! FOX NEWS ALERT!!! OBAMA DOWN IN POLLS BY 3%!!! They must have had a team assigned to run these FOX NEWS ALERTS 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/9 "2013-10-03T19:00:47Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > After stuff like this: [http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg](http://meathaus.com/wp-content/images/fox-news-shitty-photoshop.jpg) > > I don’t think you CAN reach any lower. Were those real? As in things Fox news broadcast? As to the OP, I’m with you, except that it seems like par for the course. I’m not sure I see a distinct difference in Fox’s partisan efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/10 "2013-10-03T20:11:07Z")
So, OP, which channel do you watch…the one with Al Sharpton or the one with Nancy Grace? Or, do you just get your news from John Stewart? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/11 "2013-10-03T20:22:53Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > So, OP, which channel do you watch…the one with Al Sharpton or the one with Nancy Grace? > > Or, do you just get your news from John Stewart? Is this supposed to be some kind of a defense of Fox News? Because if it is… You’ve done a pretty shitty job. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/12 "2013-10-03T20:33:09Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > So, OP, which channel do you watch…the one with Al Sharpton or the one with Nancy Grace? > > Or, do you just get your news from John Stewart? No U! ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/13 "2013-10-03T20:43:28Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > So, OP, which channel do you watch…the one with Al Sharpton or the one with Nancy Grace? > > Or, do you just get your news from John Stewart? I get much of my comedy from Stewart. It’s comedy because he’s generally making fun of news organizations’ (remember, his is a comedy show) treatment of stories _that I’m already aware of_. And “channel”? Really? Granted, my circle of acquiescences has shrunk over the years, but I don’t know of a single well-informed individual from either side of the political spectrum that gets their news from television. If that’s your primary news source or you think others get their news from a “channel,” it’s pretty much a sign of ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/14 "2013-10-03T20:50:10Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > Or, do you just get your news from John Stewart? He really does a pretty good job on some stories. Did you see his interview with Richard Dawkins? Get the full version, it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/15 "2013-10-03T21:04:48Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > And “channel”? Really? Granted, my circle of acquiescences has shrunk over the years, but I don’t know of a single well-informed individual from either side of the political spectrum that gets their news from television. If that’s your primary news source or you think others get their news from a “channel,” it’s pretty much a sign of ignorance. Heh. Blogs, podcasts, newspapers, mobile media, whatever. And, I’m sorry, I don’t speak hipster. “circle of acquiescences?” ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/16 "2013-10-03T21:08:19Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > And, I’m sorry, I don’t speak hipster. “circle of acquiescences?” He’s into submission games. Imagine him ball gagged, with his balls bound and being slapped by his mistress. Or, y’know, _don’t_ imagine that. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/17 "2013-10-03T21:20:54Z")
Don’t forget the crap with putting a (D) next to the names of scandal-ridden Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/18 "2013-10-03T21:21:39Z")
Oops. Meant ‘circle of acquaintances’. Sorry you weren’t able to figure that out by context. So you’ve spooged out a sort of failed attempt at associating the gist of the OP with Nancy Grace and Al Sharpton and now hipsters. You may want to try cutting back on the rather pathetic quest for an insult. ‘Hipster’? Yes. At 45, I’m speaking hipster. I’m hoping for a part in the upcoming Airplane! sequel. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/19 "2013-10-03T21:32:10Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > You may want to try cutting back on the rather pathetic quest for an insult. The irony, it burns! ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284/20 "2013-10-03T21:32:25Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > ‘Hipster’? Yes. At 45, I’m speaking hipster. I’m hoping for a part in the upcoming Airplane! sequel. Well, maybe at 45 you were into the whole hipster scene before it became commercial and mainstream, you ever think of that, hmm ? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-fox-news-ever-gone-this-far-as-a-propaganda-machine/670284.md?page=2)