British government stings Fox News for false statements

The classic movie Network, which I inexcusably haven't seen yet, was on Bravo today, full of bleeped words. Yet the scene where the anchor says that we are the illusion rings more true today than ever.

The Britons are flustered over complaints from viewers that Fox News' horrible John Gibson made a bunch of rash statements about the BBC hating America back in January, etc. etc. The government found against Fox, ruling that

We recognise how important freedom of expression is within the media. This item was part of a well-established spot, in which the presenter put forwards his own opinion in an uncompromising manner. However, such items should not make false statements by undermining facts. Fox News was unable to provide any substantial evidence to support the overall allegation that the BBC management had lied and the BBC had an anti-American obsession. It had also incorrectly attributed quotes to the reporter Andrew Gilligan.

Even taking into account that this was a ‘personal view’ item, the strength and number of allegations that John Gibson made against the BBC meant that Fox News should have offered the BBC an opportunity to respond.

Fox News was therefore in breach of Sections 2.1 (respect for truth), 2.7 (opportunity to take part), and 3.5(b) (personal view programmes - opinions expressed must not rest upon false evidence) of the Programme Code.

Nice. I just wish some section of the American government might at least comment on the regular stream of misrepresentations issuing from the idiot box. (news bit via the DKos)

Posted by HongPong at July 20, 2004 02:46 AM
Listed under Iraq , Media .