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

Written by Brooke Obie

Published

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.”

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.”