The relationship between politics and the press
Through the documentary, I noted the significant role the press plays in shaping the political scenario of a state or country. The press has considerable influence on the public opinion regarding might and valor of political wings of a country (Alexandra & Robert 1). The 2004 documentary film has a distinct focus on Rupert’s War on Journalism with the relationship between the media and political set-up as the major concern. I realized that this documentary criticizes the Fox News Channel together with its owner Rupert Murdoch. This follows an assertion that the channel advocates for and promotes the opinions and views of the Right Wing. The revelation is contrary to claims by the channel promote fairness and balanced reporting (Alexandra & Robert 1). Outfoxed opinion considers Fox News engaging in media malpractices, which amount to consumer fraud. Political analysts and media pundits consider the allegations of Outfoxed as organized attack on large business and especially on Fox News channel. However, the righteous tone of the documentary verges on a self-mockery.
I also realized that the documentary resorted to harassment and intercession by the state in a bid to take away a significant news hub (Fox News Channel), which is appreciated by many viewers countrywide, and other countries in Europe and North America. Analysis from the public who are stanch viewers of Fox News Channel let slip the ill motives of the documentary amid battle to ensuring freedom of press (Alexandra & Robert 1). The assertions are mere hearsays to tarnish the reputation of Fox News Channel, which has been a favorite news channel to many Americans for decades. The vocal leftists in the documentary came off as self-righteous, narrow-minded and tendentious.
By watching the document through the introduction, I realized that Outfoxed started off by inquiring about Fox News Channel programming choices. The fundamental concern is the tradition, which has been at the station for a while. This entails showing Ronald Reagan when the Republicans organized his tribute at the 2000 conventions. Interestingly, the producers of Outfoxed did not understand that many viewers loved the tribute and found it newsworthy. To many viewers, the criticism of the tribute was a mere politic. In the hit piece, Outfoxed further complains about the tendency of Fox News to attract more viewers and high spenders in advertising on the channel. Apparently, the Outfoxed did not realize that the quest to attract viewers or colossal advertisers is a universal business phenomenon for every business entity, Fox News Channel no exception. In fact, MSNBC among other sound channels followed suit as seen in their attempt to copy Fox News by introducing Scarborough Country among other leading programs (Alexandra & Robert 1).
Outfoxed producers further reveal some internal memos with an intention to spark outrage. By all standards, the memos sound reasonable. One memo proposes the need for American Marines to be referred to as Sharpshooters and not Snipers as many previously called them (Alexandra & Robert 1). Their call for change of Marine nickname is reasonable because Marines do not sneak around sniping. Majority of the interviews and voices featuring on the documentary film comprises disgruntled former Fox News Channel employees who clearly have reservations with station’s management, alongside popular leftist commentators (Alexandra & Robert 1).
I believe that an attempt by Outfoxed to blast Bill O’Reilly was unsuccessful. It instead gives him affirmative portrait by illustrating his passion about his beliefs. The documentary reveals the existence of conflict of interest that involving prominent media networks such as CNN among others. CNN’s journalist Peter Arnett expressed his sympathy for Saddam Hussein when reporting in Bagdad about the flare-up of the Gulf War. Overall, Outfoxed shows the viewers’ love for their favorite channel because it gives them true value for their money. In essence, the piece demonstrates Capitalism at work as well as democracy at work (Alexandra & Robert 1).
Work Cited
Kitty, Alexandra, and Robert Greenwald. Outfoxed: [rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism]. New York, NY: Disinformation, 2005. Print.
