While the "fair & balanced" Fox News has no problem disseminating right wing propaganda, they do have a huge problem getting called out about it by Media Matters. Back in 2011, they launched a full court press against Media Matters which included a vicious personal attack on its founder, David Brock, framed as a psychological evaluation by Fox Medical A Team member Keith Ablow. In playing the victim of the Media Matters meanies, Fox claimed that the organization was political and, therefore, not eligible for a tax exemption. Fox viewers were urged to sign a petition to file a complaint with the IRS about MMFA's tax status. On Fox & Friends, Juan Williams validated the Fox whine. In a great example of how the more things change, the more they remain the same, Juan Williams was back on this morning's Fox & Friends to continue just where they all left off.
Steve Doocy who, in 2011, accused Media Matters of "lying" to the IRS started off with yet another shocking exposé about the "hypocrisy" at the IRS. The chyron framed the agitprop as FOX FACT: "Hypocrisy Alert, Conservative Group Revoked Tax Exempt Status." Doocy whined about how the IRS recently revoked the tax exempt status for a conservative group because of the "group's right leaning views." (Deception Alert - the status was revoked the status of the Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty was revoked because of their involvement in political activity since 2004 and the publication, by the group's founder, of a book defaming the Clintons.) He whined that Media Matters "which famously declared war on Fox News, continues to keep their tax exempt status." He noted that David Brock calls himself a "democratic political activist." (Hypocrisy Alert - Brent Bozell of the 501C3 tax exempt Media Research Center refers to himself as an activist, too) He asked if MMFA's tax exempt status should be revoked "just like the conservative group." (Oh yes, Steve, yes)
Juan Williams then proceeded to trash MMFA's tax exemption as "crazy." He referenced how Brock has spoken at the Clinton Library and written a pro-Hillary Clinton book. (Hypocrisy Alert - Bozell spoke at C-PAC) Williams whined about how Brock "goes after me, Fox News with a clear political agenda." He asked how that "qualifies as a tax exempt status." Doocy responded "it doesn't" and grimaced as he spoke of how Fox & Friends, in the past, asked "how could they wind up with tax exempt status when they're so political." He described how the website has a "thing about how bad Ben Carson is and how bad fox news is." (Fact Check - The article about Fox News contributor Ben Carson cites health care experts who are criticizing his health care plan proposal - no value judgments, just the facts.) Doocy proclaimed, "it's clear they have a political agenda." The chyron reinforced the agitprop, as FOX FACT: "Clear Agenda, Media Matters Declared War on Fox News." Doocy, all animated, didn't see "how people looking in can justify" the tax exemption for a company that's "trying to run Fox News and News Corps out of business." (If only!)
In a moment of delicious irony, Williams whined about Media Matters having an agenda "to attack people." Doocy provided even more irony with his comment that Fox is "in the business of showing the other side, we balance out mainstream media" and "they're not a watch dog, they're an attack dog." He proceeded to blither about "targeting of conservatives at the IRS."
Ain't no party like a pity party and Fox & Friends knows how to bring it!