3/20/03

Fox News/Network:

I wanted to write to you with regard to what I’ve seen of the 25 Fox News channel in the Boston, MA area since I’ve been here.

Though on the outside, it could appear that you’re presenting an unbiased point of view, what is coming across to the more watchful viewers such as myself is quite biased, especially with regard to the current situation in Iraq.

The example I have in mind is from a couple nights ago, I believe.

While announcing that a “majority” have come to be opposed to the war in Iraq, the only examples you gave of such protesters were a woman stripping down to her bare chest, and a crazy man in a tractor who wasn’t really sure why he was there or what he was doing.

Having recently protested here in Dorchester, MA, I can assure you that this is not a good representation of the protesters of this war.

This story took about a minute of air time; the rest of your coverage of the war took about twice that; your coverage of a Fox TV show called, “American Idol,” which had JUST BEEN ON FOR TWO HOURS, took about FIVE minutes.

I don’t know what the root of these production decisions may be; I do know that the mass media in general is tangled up in a lot of money, and that big money and politics seem forever entwined.

I’d love an answer, but do not expect a personal one. Please surprise me.

I’ll be sending a copy of this comment to an online magazine I write for called “majenta,” at www.sedition.com, for consideration of publication.

Regards,
Barnaby Hazen