Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism (2004)
Produced and Directed by Robert Greenwald
Add another film to the list of documentaries making headlines. Outfoxed is an open attack on the Fox News Network and its claim to be “fair and balanced.” To anyone that pays attention to these things it shouldn’t be a surprise that Fox News clearly leans to the right. Recent polls have shown that those who watch Fox News are less likely to know the “truth” about the news, e.g. weapons of mass destruction, than those who watch PBS and listen to NPR.
Outfoxed was produced on a small budget. This is not the same polished work you’ll see in Fahrenheit 9/11. But don’t let that take away anything for what it has to say. The film explores many issues, from the daily briefings given, telling reporters which stories to play up and which to play down. There is an ex-anchor who tells of how he was suspended because he failed to make his reports on Reagan’s birthday exciting enough. They show how the liberal guest they produce are not well known, if known at all, throughout the circles in Washington. One show goes as far as to open by saying how many days left until George W. Bush gets re-elected.
The most effect segment deals with Bill O’Reilly. In one scene he responds to a viewers question by saying he has only once told a guest to “shut up.” This is followed with a three-minute montage of O’Reilly telling everyone and anyone to “shut up!” O’Reilly especially, gives his opinions as if they were facts by mixing commentary and reporting. There are several examples cited.
This film is not playing at any theater, although there are some house party type screenings here and there. It can be bought from www.outfoxed.org as well as regular online retailers such as Amazon.com and Deepdiscountdvd.com, where I got it for the excellent price of $5.99. It is a very small film, with a very big point to make. Much of the budget was provided by donations from Moveon.org. This is, however, a film that everyone should see. In this day and age we rely far too heavily on the news media. And although studies show that those who watch cable news already have their opinions, and aren’t likely to change them, there is something very serious when news networks cater to the White House.
Grade: B
Written by David Bohnert