Last week Fox News dedicated several commercial free hours to the pro-Palestine protests on college campuses while ignoring almost every other major news story. The reporting on Fox was surface level - cameras were positioned outside of Columbia Univ. and UCLA where overworked correspondents stood among broken tents and garbage while police officers systematically arrested protesters.
There was no deep analysis of the protesters or their motivations. Most of the experts who spoke about the demonstrations were Republican politicians, retired law enforcement or Fox News personalities.
The university demonstrations contained every element of nightmare fuel for the typical Fox viewer - entitled children of the elite, LGBTQ folks, Muslims, woke slogans, foreign students, anti-American sentiment, Marxist ideology, and facial piercings.
I almost expected Fox to try to weave in trans women athletes or a drag queen story hour just to push things over the top. If someone waged a mass demonstration for gun control as part of the protests the producers at Fox probably would have passed out from excitement.
The network presented the protesters as if they were outside agitators, potential terrorists, anti-American, and antisemitic. They left out that some of the protesters were Jewish and that the demonstrators constituted a tiny fraction of the student body at UCLA and Columbia.
Anyone watching Fox News exclusively last week might have missed out on stories about record breaking heat waves in Southeast Asia, flooding in Africa, or new restrictions on abortion in Florida.
Fox & Friends - Two extra hours on Thursday
The Five
Jesse Watters Primetime
Hannity - Monday, Tuesday (two hours), Thursday
As soon the first few tents were pitched on the lawns at Columbia University conspiracy theorists claimed they were evidence that the protesters were bankrolled by a nefarious organization or individuals.
When the encampment first started a few of the tents did look identical - small two-person olive-green nylon pup tents with a gray trim at that base.
According to reporting by Wired.com a similar looking tent was sold by Walmart for $28. I found several tents that matched on Amazon.com that sold for $23.24.
A few matching inexpensive tents did not prove much of anything. As “tent theory” spread throughout social media and right-wing circles Fox News picked it up and ran with it.
On Monday on “The Five,” Jesse Watters brought up what he called ‘terror tents.’
“Hamas brats, defying a deadline to decamp and demanding amnesty for setting up their terror tents.”
The next day on “Hannity,” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) claimed he knew who was paying for these so-called terror tents.
“My latest podcast follows the money at ask who's paying for this? Who's paying for the matching tents of all these occupiers?”
Jonathan Gilliam, former FBI special agent, brought up the theory on “Jesse Watters Primetime.”
“You can look at the tents at all of these different protests around the country. It's the same tents. These people don't own tents. They had those bought for them.”
On Wednesday on “The Five,” Greg Gutfeld repeated it.
“But you see the well-produced signs, the brand-new tents. There's a larger sponsor in this.”
On Thursday on “Fox & Friends,” Kerri Kupec Urbahn, Fox News legal editor and former Trump admin. official added gas masks to the mix.
“Where are they getting these gas masks? Not. They're picking them up from 7-Eleven. You know, it's someone who's buying the tents, buying the tents.”
Later in the same program Lawrence Jones became some sort of tent expert.
“These aren't people out there living under tarps. They've got pup tents that cost hundreds of dollars. These are all questions that Joe Biden could have been tackling over the last several weeks.”
Fox News hosts have downplayed the severity of the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol buliding since the day after it happened.
As soon as the first window was smashed in Hamilton Hall Fox hosts declared that the protest was worse than the massive riot at the capitol building.
Never mind that a college campus is not a government building and the protesters were not trying to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power.
“Joe Biden silent after black bloc anarchists and Keffiyeh clad crusaders. January 6th themselves into university buildings screaming Anti-fada. . . The Democrats are terrified this is Joe Biden's January 6th . . . Biden, who can't stop talking about January 6th, is hiding under his desk,” said Watters.
It appears that Watters was trying to combine the term Antifa with intifada when he said anti-fada. That doesn’t make much sense as the prefix anti in the word Antifa means against or opposite as in anti-fascist. Watters was calling the protesters anti-intifada which means they were against an intifada.
During the same broadcast Nicole Parker, a former FBI special agent, also compared the college protests to the January 6th attack when she appeared on “Hannity.”
“That the FBI, as is the end, is as interested in this as they were in the January 6th investigations . . . Trump supporters, those that were there the day of January 6th, those that were committing potential misdemeanors, they put the hammer down heavy, and it was DOJ s number one priority.”
In the same two-hour commercial free broadcast of “Hannity,” Sean Hannity used the term insurrection incorrectly three times.
“Columbia University's campus, after what has been weeks of far-left violence, harassment, anarchy and insurrection . . . had fixation on one in insurrection, one riot that was January 6th . . . So it seems Liz Cheney has been awfully quiet about, quote, insurrection, unless it involves Donald Trump,” said Hannity.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of insurrection is - an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government.
College campuses are not government buildings. The protesters were not trying to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power or change the outcome of a federal election.
So far, despite the fact that protests have erupted on several college campuses with over 2100 arrests there’s been no reports of major injuries and no fatalities.
On January 6th at least 140 police officers were injured with some sustaining life-altering and career ending injuries. According to a bipartisan Senate report at least seven people died in connection to the January 6th attack.
Ashli Babbitt - protester- shot by a Capitol Police officer
Kevin D. Greeson - protester - died of a heart attack.
Rosanne Boyland - protester - died of an overdose/crushed in riot
Benjamin Philips - protester - died of a stroke.
Ofc. Sicknick - died immediately after the attack
Ofc. Jeffrey Smith - suicide after the attack
Ofc. Howard S. Liebengood - suicide after attack
On Thursday on “Fox & Friends,” the producers dedicated most of the screen to a live feed from the ULCA campus. For three commercial free hours the cast of the morning show were reduced to disembodied voices as Fox News viewers saw images of LAPD officers arresting protesters and breaking up an encampment on campus.
At one point on the live feed a young woman who looked no older than 21 was led out by police directly in front of the camera.
Her black eye makeup was smeared and she had a few facial piercings in her nose and lips. Her hair was a dramatic combination of inky black tresses mixed in with chunky platinum highlights.
The woman was dressed conservatively in an oversized black sweater and a long denim skirt that went all the way to her ankles.
Brian Kilmeade singled her out.
“This is a live revolution. I mean, how you look at these people to get into the rest of the culture. Are you do you have a monitor on? Do you see the people that they're arresting these mutants with, nose rings and lip rings to have five different colors in their hair that maybe worked out in 1973, the last time they have just loser, dead end idiots. And these are the people that held UCLA hostage.”
The woman looked about the age of someone whose parents might have been born in 1973.
On Wednesday made a bold uniformed declaration on his primetime show.
“You hear that now? After 9/11, if you threw on a keffiyeh and scream that you stand with Osama bin Laden, you're under arrest. Why is this any different? Hamas is a terrorist organization that butchers civilians and holds Americans hostage. If they're your heroes, that's treason.”
Speech does not constitute treason in the United States. According to Article III, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution - Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.
Jesse Watters might want to pick up and read - the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Inciting violence is not considered protected speech. Inciting violence must include an incitement of a riot which creates a clear and present danger is also not protected by the First Amendment.
Shouting fire in a crowded theater or directing a group of people to hurt or kill someone would be considered inciting violence.
In the United States a person can praise a terrorist group in a public space without fear of arrest or criminal prosecution.
While Fox was dedicating over two-thirds of its airtime to the protests they also included a few segments about Trump’s criminal hush money trial in Manhattan.
On Friday, on “Fox & Friends,”Eric Shawn, a reporter with the legitimate news division at Fox openly called out Trump for his false statements.
“Now there is no mention of the alleged conspiracy to influence the election. And they can also claim it was a standard non-disclosure agreement that it was making after their former president, who is under a gag order, falsely said he is not allowed to testify here,” said Shawn.
The producers then cut to Trump’s address to the press from the night before.
“Well, I'm not allowed to testify. I'm under a gag order. I guess when I get into testify and now we're going to be appealing the gag order. I'd love to answer the questions. A very easy question. The easiest question so far. But, I'm not allowed to testify because this judge is totally conflicted,” said Trump from outside the courtroom he’d been sitting in for most of the day.
Shawn looked directly into the camera and spoke with no heightened emotion.
“Well, that's just not true. He is allowed to testify. The gag order has nothing to do with whether he will testify. And in fact, the former president said he wants to testify here when it comes time for the defense to present its case.”
On Tuesday on “Hannity,” Senator Tom Cotton evoked Trump while talking about Biden’s student loan forgiveness. Cotton claimed Biden was defying the court system when he expanded preexisting loan forgiveness programs.
“Sean it's, pretty certain you wouldn't. And again, this is what Joe Biden and liberals have accused Donald Trump of for the last nine years. But when Donald Trump lost a court case, might have upset him. But he followed the court case.”
Trump has notoriously refused to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election. He tried to pressure election officials in multiple states to give his false claims of voter fraud merit.
He famously said he wanted election officials in Georgia to “find 11,780 votes.” Trump also backed a fake elector scheme in another attempt to negate the will of tens of millions of voters.
Trump has made a habit of intimidating judges, poll workers, former associates, witnesses, lawyers, and prosecutors as his various civil and criminal trials work their way through the courts.
He lied about E. Jean Carroll moments after a jury found him guilty of defaming her and awarding her $5 million in damages. He has continued to lie about the case even after Carrol won a second defamation lawsuit and was awarded $83 million in damages.
On Monday, after it was revealed that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem boasted about shooting a 14-month-old puppy in her memoir, Judge Jeanine Pirro had a few things to say about it on “The Five.”
Pirro did not hold back even though Noem is a Republican. She turned to the camera and verbally unloaded in one of her signature verbal tirades.
“Yes. What? I have four rescues and I have a puppy. I got to tell you. You know what she's done is? She's sabotaged herself whether or not it was to, you know, buttress what was coming down the road. But she also managed to unite the right and the left because America, if nothing else, we are dog lovers.
And don't tell me you shot a pup because it wasn't used to hunting. You know, maybe you're not a good teacher. Yeah, maybe there's a problem. And this whole thing with the chickens. You know, where the chickens dead. Was your dog on their property? Should you have had your dog on a leash? Should you farm have been fenced? I could go on and on because I love dogs.”
Every week I compare the hours I’ve watched on Fox News to five hours of the PBS NewsHour. The following list are stories that PBS reported on that Fox News ignored.
Climate disasters
Heavy rains have triggered flash flooding in Kenya killing at least 228 people. Kenya normally has a heavy rain season from March to May but this year is beyond anything the country has experienced in years.
Parts of Southeast Asia have experienced record breaking heat. Bangladesh experienced its hottest April on record, in Vietnam, 102 weather stations reported record highs and India reported its hottest day in April since 1954. Dozens have died, millions of students have not been able to attend schools while farms have been decimated.
Updates in the war in Ukraine
Ukraine retreated from three villages citing a lack of ammunition and air support.
A trial for a mass environmental injury case began in federal court in Hawaii more than two years after a U.S. military fuel tank facility under ground poisoned thousands of people when it leaked jet fuel into Pearl Harbor’s drinking water.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action aimed at helping to ensure the safety and effectiveness of laboratory developed tests, or LDTs, which are used in a growing number of health care decisions. The new standards are to ensure that laboratory tests are accurate and safe.
Taylor Swift became the first artist to take 14 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
An investigation by the Washington Post revealed the Indian government attempted to assassinate a Sikh activist and critic of the Modi administration inside the U.S.. The plot was thwarted by U.S. authorities.
The U.N. top court, the International Court of Justice, refused to order a halt on German arms exports sold to Israel.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said she would move forward with her attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from his role as Speaker of the House. Democratic representatives have said they would oppose removing Johnson as Speaker.
In London a 36-year-old man is in custody after he allegedly killed a 14-year-old boy with a samurai sword while injuring several others.
The EPA banned methane chloride a chemical used in consumer grade paint stripper. It has been linked to liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death.
A federal appeals court ruled that gender-affirming surgery should be covered by state run health insurance plans.
United Methodist Church delegates voted to remove a ban on celebrations of same-sex marriages or unions. The church also repealed the ban on LGBTQ clergy.
Abortion is now banned after six weeks in Florida with exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. The state also allows an exception for the life of the mother or to prevent “substantial and irreversible” physical impairment. Similar laws in other states have left women with dangerous pregnancy complications in dire circumstances.
PBS produced a segment about Trump’s plans for his second term if he’s reelected which would include mass deportation of millions and attempts to increase the power of the presidency.
PBS included an extended interview with Adm. John Aquilino about his retirement as the 26th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. Aquilino spoke at length about the rising military threat of China in region.
PBS produced a segment about May Day celebrations and protests around the world. May Day which falls on May 1st is traditionally observed to celebrate workers’ rights
Iran proxies have stopped attacking U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria while Houthi attacks on ships continue. Iranian proxies have not fired at American troops in more than a month.
President Joe Biden spoke with the families of four police officers who were killed in Charlotte, North Carolina. Both Fox and PBS reported on the story but Fox didn’t mention that Biden met with the families of fallen officers.
Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland will take four years and cost $2 billion. The bridge was destroyed when a malfunctioning cargo ship rammed into a support column. Six construction workers working on the bridge were killed when it collapsed.
A highway collapse in China killed at least 36 while injuring 30. The highway was built on the side of a mountain and was damaged by heavy rains in the area.
A European court found that Italy is the rightful owner of a brass statue currently displayed in the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California. According to court documents, Italian officials claim the piece was stolen and smuggled out of the country before being eventually sold to the Getty Museum for around $4 million in 1978.
Three Indian nationals have been arrested and charged over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. The murder caused a major diplomatic crisis between India and Canada.
China launched a robotic craft to the moon. The robotic lander will aim for a large impact crater on the far side of the moon where it will attempt to collect up to 4.4 pounds of lunar material.
A German company successfully launched a rocket powered by paraffin - a waxy solid often used in candle wax. Paraffin is a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, obtained by distillation from petroleum or shale. Paraffin can be used as a cheaper and safer alternative fuel for rockets.
The Google anti-trust lawsuit wrapped up last week. The Department of Justice argued that Google holds a monopoly over the entire search engine market. The company has made a series of deals that have pushed out other search engines and given it 90% of the share of the market. Consumers don’t even realize that when they make searches on many devices that Google is the default search engine. Google has argued it dominates the market because it provides a better service than its competitors.
PBS produced a segment about the terrible living conditions in Syrian prisons holding ISIS members. About 10,000 ISIS fighters remain jailed inside Syrian detention centers. Human rights groups call conditions in the prisons abusive and local authorities warn they are a breeding ground for radicalization and an Islamic State revival.
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