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Doocy resorts to falsehood in defense of Fox's terrible Sherrod coverage

July 21, 2010 11:02 am ET — 9 Comments

Fox & Friends' Steve Doocy falsely claimed that "Fox News did not do" the Shirley Sherrod story "until after she had already resigned." In fact, FoxNews.com published a story based on the deceptively edited video before Sherrod resigned; indeed, a subsequent FoxNews.com article reported that she resigned "shortly after FoxNews.com published its initial report on the video."

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Doocy whitewashes Fox News' irresponsible coverage of Breitbart's deceptive video

Doocy: "Fox News did not do the story until after she had already resigned." From the July 21 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:

DOOCY: Yesterday, the NAACP came out and they said that we are now apologizing to her and they say they were snookered by Fox News and Andrew Breitbart but as Dana mentioned, there's a timeline problem. Fox news did not do the story until after she had already resigned. So she was pressured by the Department of Agriculture to quit, she quit, and then we did the story. So for anybody to say that Fox News pressured her out, that is simply a lie. 

In fact, FoxNews.com ran the story before Sherrod resigned

FoxNews.com: "Video Shows USDA Official Saying She Didn't Give 'Full Force' of Help to White Farmer." A July 19 FoxNews.com article reported on the video, noting that it was "first posted by BigGovernment.com" and reported that:

FoxNews.com is seeking a response from both the NAACP and the USDA. The clip adds to the firestorm of debate over the NAACP's decision to approve a resolution at its convention last week accusing some Tea Party activists of racism -- a charge Tea Party leaders deny.

FoxNews.com: "The Agriculture Department announced" the resignation "shortly after FoxNews.com published its initial report." A July 20 FoxNews.com article stated: "The Agriculture Department announced Monday, shortly after FoxNews.com published its initial report on the video, that Sherrod had resigned." That initial report was replaced by the July 20 article, but it was copied on a discussion thread here.

— J.V.B.
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    • Author by okiepoli (July 21, 2010 12:05 pm ET)
         
      The government statement concerning Sherrod's departure from the USDA mentions that departments 'Zero-tolerance' policy.
      Who else has a zero-tolerance policy?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by swayjay (July 21, 2010 12:23 pm ET)
      2  
      Well, if Doocy said it's a lie...then by all means, it MUST be a lie. Afterall, he is an "anointed one" of the right wing.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Doc_Navy (July 21, 2010 1:44 pm ET)
        1 1
        Not sure where this comment comes from. Most folks that I know pretty much agree with John Stewart that Gretchen is the intelligent meat in the middle of a stupid sandwich.

        Care to let the rest of us know where Doocy got his "Anointed One" status?

        Doc
        Report Abuse
        • Author by steeve (July 21, 2010 1:58 pm ET)
          2 1
          Well, he keeps a job ahead of thousands of more qualified conservatives. But then so do all the rest of them.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by chrisd3 (July 21, 2010 2:44 pm ET)
            1 1
            Back in the 70s, Doocy had a regular spot on WTOP-AM, an all-news station in DC. It was a humor spot, mostly about happenings in and around DC, and he was funny, charming, and observant.

            What on Earth happened? I'm thinking "alien brain transplant".
            Report Abuse
    • Author by David2012 (July 21, 2010 1:15 pm ET)
      6 2
      The Deuce, once more caught in an outright lie. Or is he saying Fox News is somehow independent of FoxNews.com? Is it possible that he could be that disingenuous.

      Stupid question on my part, I guess. Of course it's possible.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by chrisd3 (July 21, 2010 2:40 pm ET)
      2 1
      This isn't one of MM's most convincing stories. The quote from Fox only says that Ag *announced* the resignation "shortly after" Fox's initial report. This shows the timing between the story and the announcement of the resignation--not the timing between the story and the resignation itself.

      I've been having a lot of trouble finding out exactly when she resigned. Does anyone know?

      Of course, this doesn't exonerate Fox or anyone else for running with a Breitbart video without fact checking it. How anyone could assumes that one of his hatchet videos represents the truth is quite beyond understanding.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by teddi (July 21, 2010 7:18 pm ET)
         
      I'm confused as the government has always said Fox isn't a news organization so why wouldn't they have checked out the whole video or asked Ms. Sherrod her side of the story before firing her?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by little poncho (July 21, 2010 10:03 pm ET)
        1
      hey steavie, you are BORING.........
      Report Abuse