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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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23

Fox Reminds DC Staff They're Journalists

Workers warned against creating news after producer pumps up tea party crowd

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(Newser) – Fox News reminded its staff to follow journalistic standards after a producer was caught on camera whipping up a crowd at a tea party protest, Mediaite reports. Bill Sammon, the channel's vice-president of news, sent staff at Fox's DC bureau an email warning: "We do not cheerlead for one cause or another. We do not rile up a crowd. If a crowd happens to be boisterous when we show it on TV, so be it. If it happens to be quiet, that’s fine, too. It’s not our job to affect the crowd’s behavior."

He said any effort to affect a crowd "undermines" journalists' role to be "detached" eyewitnesses. "Our viewers are counting on us to be honest brokers when it comes to reporting," Sammon added.

A Fox producer encourages the crowd as Griff Jenkins prepares to speak to the camera.
A Fox producer encourages the crowd as Griff Jenkins prepares to speak to the camera.   (YouTube)
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A member of the Fox News production crew directs a group of protesters to cheer for a Griff Jenkins live shot   (fuckbush01)

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At news events, we’re supposed to function as dispassionate observers, not active participants. We are there to chronicle the news, not create it. - Fox News Vice President of News
Bill Sammon

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23 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Sep 22, 09 2:02 AM CDT
and cue the Fox Haters....ACTION! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-10
IN RESPONSE:
Deebles
Sep 22, 09 2:19 AM CDT
Well, Rif. I hope that you are wrong because to hate means that you really care--it's like love an equal intensity emotion. Apathy is when someone really knows that you don't like them anymore. Like I used to get tons of thumbs down and now I get zip most of the time--no one likes me, so if you don't like Fox you should skip or be sorta apathetic. Lots of vitriol is like the guy who says you're over but he still hides in your back yard.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
Sep 22, 09 2:48 AM CDT
Its all good Deebs..I still like reading your post, I love how you give praise or damnation to those that deserve it regardless of the side of the fence they are on...Good analogy about the hate /care thing..makes sense...
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
oldgoat
Sep 22, 09 3:03 AM CDT
No it isn't hate it is wondering why Fox spent the time pimping the tea party, but doesn't say anything about its staff on the daily shows promoting it. Looks like to me this is nothing more than sving face when caught in the act.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 22, 09 10:25 AM CDT
I am just impressed that there is such a clear and thoughtful person working at Fox. It may not be dramatic change on the "fair and balanced" network but it is a start.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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