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Doocy's deception: "Fox News Channel" did not touch Sherrod story "until she had actually quit"

July 22, 2010 7:12 am ET — 14 Comments

Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy once again deceptively claimed that "Fox News Channel did not touch" the Shirley Sherrod story "until she had actually quit." In fact, Doocy's statement ignores that 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 Channel did not touch this story until she had actually quit." On the July 22 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, Doocy completely ignored Fox News' role in hyping Andrew Breitbart's deceptively edited video of now-former USDA employee Shirley Sherrod's comments by misleadingly claiming that Fox News Channel had not reported on the controversy until after Sherrod had resigned:

DOOCY: [T]here have been a lot of criticisms leveled at Fox News. Fox News Channel did not touch this story until she had actually quit. I mean, Fox News -- some of the commentators started doing this story after she had resigned. It was the White House, it was the NAACP, that drummed her out.

Doocy previously falsely claimed, "Fox News did not do the story until after she had already resigned." On the July 21 edition of Fox & Friends, Doocy also falsely claimed, "Fox News did not do the story until after she had already resigned."

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." Doocy's assertion that Fox News Channel didn't report on Sherrod "until she had actually quit" belies the fact that FoxNews.com reported on the story well before this occurred. 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.

FoxNews.com: "FoxNews.com was among several media organizations that carried the story of the initial video released Monday." A July 21 FoxNews.com article similarly reported: "FoxNews.com was among several media organizations that carried the story of the initial video released Monday. It remains unclear who edited and released the shorter video."

— B.C.O.
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    • Author by FGFM (July 22, 2010 7:29 am ET)
      4 3
      Funny how I've seen this propaganda line all over the place. Even if it was the case, I got the impression that the administration was particularly concerned about the fact that Glenn Beck was going to do his next show on the situation.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by smarshall1432997 (July 22, 2010 7:37 am ET)
      7  
      FoxNews is "shameless", "nasty", and WRONG! FoxNews paraded this "false" story out about Mrs. Sherrod to throw their venom of hate at the NAACP and Pres. Obama. Doocy needs to watch video from Rachel Maddow Show last night to get the REAL timeline. LOL.

      In fact, Joe Scarborough and Meridith (NBC) should look at video from Rachel's Show too. Why is Joe Scarborough defending FoxNews and throwing his Republican rocks at the White House for acting so quickly? So now the narrative from MSM is why did the WH act so quickly, and FoxNews did NOT run their 'propaganda loop of deceit' until after Mrs. Sherrod was fired... AAAAAGGGHHH, LOL.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (July 22, 2010 9:00 am ET)
        3  
        Because he has to . . . Breitbart's video and Fox's pushing of same were the proximate cause of everything which occurred AFTER it was posted. They bear the responsibility for the whole thing. But for their actions, NONE of the rest would have occurred.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by bintx (July 22, 2010 8:58 am ET)
      3  
      This is a lie. It was on Fox's website. More people look at that website than watch Fox.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by stevensm (July 22, 2010 10:26 pm ET)
           
        Not only that, Bill O'Reilly taped his evening show at 5pm where he chose to report on the "Sherrod is a racist" story. His 5pm taping was BEFORE Sherrod was reported by foxnews.com as having resigned (at 7:51pm).
        Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (July 22, 2010 9:37 am ET)
      2  
      Technically, he is correct, FoxNews CHANNEL didn't do this, but FoxNews.com did. Are they considered separate or the same?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Andy Kreiss (July 22, 2010 9:58 am ET)
        2  
        Besides, the resignation happened pretty quickly in the timeline. Fox "news" CHANNEL immediately jumped all over the item, crying "Racism" at full blast. If this is Doocy sticking up for Fox's responsible reporting, I don't think it's very convincing to anybody but those who still believe Fox is an actual news channel.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (July 22, 2010 10:58 am ET)
        5  
        Fox apparently thinks they are the same because they took down the original story off their site after the story started unraveling. Sounds to me like they were trying to do a little CYA'ing.
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      • Author by stevensm (July 22, 2010 10:29 pm ET)
           
        Nah, Doocy is wrong. Bill O'Reilly reported on it while taping his Monday show at 5pm. He didn't bother to wait until she had actually resigned. In his taping he even insisted that she resign.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by alienofwar (July 22, 2010 10:02 am ET)
      3  
      I don't see how Fox News channel reporting this story before Sherrod was fired would of changed anything. Either way, the White House would still fire her.

      Fox News still reported it on their website and the White House knew the three stooges (Beck, Hannity and O'Reilly) would pick it up and do what they do best - smearing the Obama administration with lies and distortions.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by ilikeike (July 22, 2010 10:36 am ET)
        3  
        I expect this crap as par for the course for fox. am deeply disappointed by the white house and all those who asked for her resignation before being sure of the facts.trying to appease the right wing disinformation machine is useless. no matter what you do they will smear and lie. they are not interested in policy or making america work. they are consumed with the desire for ratings and influence. the next time the administration is faced with one of these fake scandals, the white house needs to go on the offensive and mercilessly expose these charlatans to the public scrutiny their actions deserve
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    • Author by JennaBush (July 22, 2010 1:35 pm ET)
      1 1
      Technically, isn't Doocy right?
      He said they reported the story after Sherrod resigned, not after her resignation was ANNOUNCED.

      If the resignation was ANNOUNCED "shortly after" FoxNews.com published the story, then isn't it likely that the actual resignation itself took place BEFORE FoxNews.com published the story?

      It doesn't really matter in the larger context, but let's at least be careful about accuracy.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by YouDontMeanThat (July 22, 2010 3:50 pm ET)
        2
      Good to see Fox is finally pulling the strings at the White House, our plan is coming together nicely. That's 3 people we have had the White House to get rid of, who is next on the list? I think in the next meeting, I'll throw Holders name in the pot, stay tuned to see.
      Report Abuse

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