Nonpartisan bone to pick with FOX

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2008
Nonpartisan bone to pick with FOX
8
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 3:17pm

Hi Everyone!


I hope it is ok that I post this here, I've been searching for just the right board for it, but forgive me if I'm in error, I guess I'm hoping that this subject might be a refreshing change from political arguing or economic stress, and that both sides can agree.   


Regarding the media: 


*First the disclaimer, that I know every media outlet has a bias, whether left or right, whether they admit it or not, and all are subject to disgusting antics, etc, etc. 


I would like to know if anyone else out there has noticed this, and if is just my imagination or hypersensitivity?


I often switch from news channel to news channel when viewing news, and also watch a lot of Fox News, and have noticed a very disturbing trend.  When airing a story that has ANYTHING to do, even remotely, with prostitution, online porn, exotic dancers, etc, Fox News seems to find it absolutely necessary to air graphic images of the subject manner, ie: naked women.  Of course, there are the obligatory little blurred areas over certain bits, emphasis on LITTLE blurred.  The images, and sometimes footage of exotic dancers, is extreme and unnecessary.


I hit my limit two days ago when watching the news at lunchtime with my young son.  We were sitting here together when an interesting, and I thought, optimistic, story was announced by Fox casters that the use of internet porn sites is down because people are becoming more involved with social network sites like Facebook or MySpace.  So, did they choose to focus their images on those social sites?  Did they interview former porn-addicts to see what they prefer about Facebook instead of porn??   Too much to hope for I guess, as I, in shock, proceeded to have image after image of online porn site pictures flashed throughout the 'news' story with women in 'interesting' positions with those little bits covered.  It was almost worse than those Victorias's Secret Ads that come on in the middle of the day!!!!  I was furious.


Now, let's not mince words:  Fox News is the preferred channel for the more 'conservative' viewers in the U.S, in spite of the balanced label they give themselves.  Ok, they can label themselves however they want, but when I watch this channel that I assume will offer a more generous consideration for the "family values" crowd, and am continually assaulted by this soft porn, I feel insulted, abused and outraged.  (Don't even get me started on Bill O'Reilly  having the "Bay Watch Babes" on the other day.  Yeah, that's newsworthy.) 


Do they REALLY think we don't already KNOW what a porn site contains or looks like, or what exotic dancers do??   A few months ago when that Governor was busted for his relationship with the call girl, or whatever she was, did they focus on the investigation, etc, etc?  The coverage I viewed was smeared with, surprise, surprise,  blurry, naked women.  I love how they've also showed those falsified images of Sarah Palin in a bikini and then, with feigned disgust, comment on how inappropriate they are.  Here's an idea:  DON'T SHOW THEM!


I've had enough, and emailed Fox News about this, challenging them to answer why I, as a viewer, should have to worry that if I sit watching the news at lunchtime with my kids, that I might be bombarded with disgusting images.   My middle school-aged son often has homework assignments that require he watch the news.  Um, don't think I'll be letting his source be THIS channel!!   I've already about had it with their obsession with all of their female news casters having to look like models - I don't see that much lip gloss at the high school! (Greta Van Susteren not counting, NOT that she's unattractive, but would she still be on the air on this network if she hadn't of had that nose job?) 


Now, keep in mind that I'm not a prude, nor am I jealous; I have NO problem appreciating beautiful women, and often point them out to my husband in positive ways.  So the cynics can rest knowing that this is strictly about the appropriateness of the images a "respected news agency" uses, keeping in mind, that NO disclaimer is EVER given when such footage or images are shown.  I don't like my kids seeing the bloody war coverage either, but at least with that they usually give some warning.


Is it this bad on all the networks??  I already cannot believe some of the commercials I've seen (Victoria's Secret babes strutting in the middle of the day on the family channel, and Comcast's more recent unfortunate decision to advertise their new reality series about young cheerleader-wannabes during Saturday morning cartoons on Cartoon Network.  I had the tv muted at first, and thought they were advertising a strip dancing video!!!  Way to go Comcast, VERY appropriate) 


Over the years I've had to accept that we simply have to severely limit how much tv we watch, but when I do choose to watch, or let my kids watch, it is just so sad that we have to be assaulted even by NEWS agencies with smut that couldn't even be put on the cover of a magazine without a paper cover!!


Anyone else notice this on Fox, or other News channels?  Am I nuts??


Sorry for all the exclamation points and sarcasm, just consider me:


Sincerely tired of all the boobs.


 


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 3:43pm

You are not alone!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2008
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 3:54pm

As a Fox News watcher I have not noticed what you described.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 4:35pm
Well, considering how many conservative, born-again preachermen keep getting busted with hookers, gay and straight, for pedophilia, with drugs etc it sort of seems to play to the intended audience.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2003
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 4:51pm

How many is that?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 5:01pm

Seems like a lot to me, what can I say. My favorite was father Ted from Colorado, but the time Jimmy Swaggart got busted with a hooker was pretty fun too. There have been many others in between and since, some not so funny. Oh, and some are not strictly speaking official preachers, like that fat slob politician down south, very God-fearin' and all, who had been molesting his young foster dd. It does not surprise me though, anyone that obsessed with homosexuality and immorality worries me.

ETA: and Tony Alamo, of course, whose being in the news had me thinking along this track in the first place http://edition.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/23/alamo.evangelist.raid.ap/index.html




Edited 9/23/2008 5:11 pm ET by sild
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 5:10pm
No, I havent noticed that at all.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 6:40pm

I have noticed that too.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 09-23-2008 - 6:41pm
O'Reilly a lech???!!! I'm SHOCKED.