Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism [Paperback]

Robert Greenwald (Author), Alexandra Kitty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

“. . . The kind of cinematic spanking that [Michael] Moore just delivered to President Bush.”—The Washington Post

“What Outfoxed does is detail the specific ways, both onscreen and behind the scenes, in which the network’s conservatism shapes its news and opinion programs.”—New York Times Magazine

The director of 2004’s smash hit documentary Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism teams with journalist Alexandra Kitty in an even more detailed and updated examination of how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, have been running a “race to the bottom” in television news. They examine media consolidation by focusing on the Fox News Channel: How did Fox gain prominence? How did the Fox News Channel gain audiences and influence public debate? How does Fox report reality? Is the network merely interpreting events or is it pushing propaganda? Who are the main players and how do they treat their friends and enemies? Why should readers care about how Fox takes liberties with its facts?

Each chapter blends interviews from Greenwald’s documentary, transcripts from Fox programs, and other research pertaining to Fox News not only to illustrate the Fox “mentality,” but also to show the factual, ethical and structural problems with the news channel. Interviews and transcripts are analyzed to give readers a strong sense of what Fox is actually telling its audiences.

As well as Outfoxed, Robert Greenwald executive produced Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election, produced and directed Uncovered: The War On Iraq and most recently produced Unconstitutional: The War on our Civil Liberties, about the erosion of American civil liberties following the events of September 11.

Alexandra Kitty is a journalist who specializes in crime and media issues. She is the author of Don’t Believe It: How Lies Become News.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Greenwald executive produced the 2002 documentary, "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election". The success and political impact of that project led Greenwald to commit to two additional "Un" documenataries -- "Uncovered", which he produced and directed, and "Unconstitutional", about the erosion of American civil liberties following the events of September 11. Alexandra Kitty is a journalist who specializes in crime and media issues. She worked as a Canadian correspondent for Presstime magazine. She also wrote a cover story about Thomson for Quill magazine, and about the CBC for Current newspaper in Washington, DC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: The Disinformation Company; First Edition edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932857117
• ISBN-13: 978-1932857115
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alexandra Kitty is a Canadian-based author of Don't Believe It!: How lies become news, OutFoxed: Rupert Murdoch's war on journalism and Consumer-isms in 12 easy steps. She also runs the web site Monsters & Queens.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Afraid Be Very Afraid or Be Informed and do something?, April 17, 2005

By 

Scott A. Riddle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism (Paperback)

I'm calling for a nationwide boycott of Fox. This book exposes the tunnel vision being created in the United States by the vast majority of corporate outlets like Clear Channel but, as the title suggests, its focus is on Fox channel's biases. We, the United States citizens, are being divided into two camps and Fox supports if not outright is creating this division to further it's conservative camp's agenda by it's use of tactics ranging from distortion and ignoring of facts to outright lying to its viewers, the American people. I was shocked, frightened, and infuriated as I was informed of Rupert Murdoch's abuse of power. I for one do not believe that manipulation of the people should be the purpose of the media. If you love freedom and believe that you deserve honest and truthful journalism then I'm sure you'll want to read this book. After reading it I'm sure you will feel the same way I do and if you do then don't watch Fox, that includes The Simpson's but..., especially don't watch Fox News, don't read USA Today, or go to Fox movies, or buy magazines owned by Rupert Murdoch, and refuse to listen to Fox musicians on Fox radio stations and for good measure avoid Clear Channel, you know the ones that fired Howard Stern, because they belong to the same camp. If you feel attempting to bankrupt Rupert Murdoch for his corrupt practices perpetrated on the American citizens is going a bit far, or would take to much effort, at very least seek out alternative media sources for your local and world news. ON THE OTHER HAND IF YOU LIKE FOX NEWS BY ALL MEANS CONTINUE TO ENJOY BUT YOU SHOULD AT LEAST BE INFORMED OF WHY IT IS YOU TEND AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY SAY. For everyone that wants a more honest reporting from their media I suggest listening to www.airamericaradio.com and for fun check out the animated political cartoons of Mark Fiore at www.markfiore.com

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'fair and balanced' the Fox News myth, February 8, 2008

By 

dunniano "pol" (IRELAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism (Paperback)

This documentary is a must for people who are intersted in the political bias of the media. Fox News is better known as Mr Murdochs flagship right wing news channel which describes itself in laughable terms as 'Fair and Balanced'--- yeah if you are a card carrying member of the G.O.P(Republican Party) and a right wing conservative.The documentarty looks at the propaganda methods Fox use and has an insight to the Right wing agenda and its clever delivery by Fox...NOT( repeat propaganda time and time again until some poor Joe Public or Joe the Plumber actually beleives it no matter how warped and ludcrious it actually is ).Many former Fox editors,anchors and other former employees inform on the bullying eye of Big Brother Fox.As Fox News champion of the Right Bill O' Reilly(Shut up!!!) would say "The spin stops here"-----Does it? Watch this documentary for a real taste the crazy mixed up world of Foxland which makes Disney positively a reality .... Fair and Blanced it isnt!!!!Please note I use the word News when referring to Fox this is used loosely !!!! Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Neil Cavuto etc...etc.... your boys took one hell of a beating.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ammo belt to support the DVD, December 2, 2007

By 

Timothy P. Scanlon (Hyattsville, MDUSA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism (Paperback)

Long, long ago I saw the "Outfoxed" DVD. No, it didn't stock up on that many surprises, just put 'em in context, and gave me some specifics as to why I don't trust anything Faux as far as I can puke it. Interesting, though, I loaned it to various colleagues who didn't know Faux was that bad; they swore off anything Faux after seeing it!

I got this book then, hoping it would complement the film. Actually, I think it does. My particular nemisis is bill o'lielly (who threatens Jeremy Glick, the young son of a 9/11 victim in the film, according to Glick, so that Glick was frightened. "He's a big man!" [6.4"] Glick proclaims.

And telling everyone to "Shut up!" while denying that he says that.

Then there's the brief clip of Al Franken saying that attorneys said that it would be hard to sue o'lielly as Billy Boy is so oblivious to his fallacies that he might not even know he's lying!

Well, I mention that as there's a long section on Billy Boy, including a segment which asserts that billy's days are numbered. It's only a matter of time before someone more audacious--a bigger liar?--comes around to put billy to shame. That, by the way, is while the author(s) comment on billy's intelligence, his style of putting his panelists on the defensive with an offensive style only billy has mastered so far.

Well, I shouldn't get caught up in billy. He's hot worth it. There's also sections focusing on Hannity and Colmes, Ann Coulter, Faux's guests, why they choose them, how they support the channel's ideological angle, etc.

Contrary to one reviewer, I think the book will stand on its own. But you might be better off seeing it as a supplement or complement to the DVD. It surely the DVD and the book indicate why integrity is needed in choosing media. (Note I don't suggest censorship. But I've argued for years that people should refuse to show up on the Faux propaganda machine, and its doors will close. Then let it's "correspondents," some of whom I've had the displeasure of meeting, may have to get a job in fast food. "Would you like fries and my last DVD with that order?" And then "journalism" may actually evolve to something resembling reality, not just a channel for the reactionaries and sheep who take Faux seriously.