Update (5/5/22): Following the publication of this article, “Concha’s appearance at a Republican Party fundraiser has been canceled, a network spokesperson told Mediaite.” 

Fox News contributor Joe Concha, who frequently appears on the network to discuss media ethics, is scheduled to keynote a fundraiser for the Snohomish County Republican Party this weekend. The organization based in Washington state previously acknowledged that a “Fox News employee policy” prohibits network employees from doing such events. 

Concha is a Fox News contributor and an opinion contributor for The Hill. He frequently discusses media issues, including journalism ethics. On Fox News, Concha has criticized media members for allegedly being partisans and said that the media should hold “the powerful accountable, without fear or favor to party.” 

The network has referred to him as a “media critic” and a “media reporter.” Fox prime-time host Sean Hannity has called him “the best media personality -- the only objective one.” Concha appears on Fox’s both “news” and “opinion” programming. 

The Snohomish County GOP announced that Concha will be the keynote speaker for its May 7 fundraiser. Other speakers include Republican Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier (R), and state Rep. Joel McEntire (R). General admission tickets for the event were $95 while VIP tickets were $250. (The party states on its event page that the dinner is now sold out.) A flyer for the event touts Concha’s Fox News employment. 

Fox News claimed in November 2018 that it “does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” and The Washington Post reported in December 2019 that a Fox News “spokeswoman said the network has addressed the issue with its contributors and hosts, as well as third-party agents who book events.” Still, numerous Fox News personalities have keynoted Republican fundraisers. 

In 2019, Fox News personality Lawrence Jones was scheduled to speak at a fundraiser for the Snohomish County GOP but withdrew after Media Matters reported on his participation. The party stated that “because of a new Fox News employee policy, he can no longer speak at our Lincoln Day Dinner.” 

It wasn’t immediately clear if Concha will receive money for his speech. Fox News host Pete Hegseth spoke at the Snohomish GOP’s 2017 fundraiser and received $5,547.60.