It hasn't been a very good week for Fox News. After the Nevada Democratic Party backed out of having them sponsor the Democratic debate, the Congressional Black Caucus has now decided to reject Fox's offer and partner with rival CNN for the South Carolina Democratic debates. From the press release:
"CNN is pleased to join with the CBC Institute in spotlighting this important primary race," said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. "This debate provides a meaningful addition to our comprehensive coverage of the 2008 presidential election, particularly as it gives us an opportunity to explore more closely a range of issues that will impact the pivotal African-American vote."
Online activists ColorOfChange.com and Afro-Netizens were very vocal about the CBC not partnering with Fox, especially in light of the continuing smears of Barack Obama on Fox:
ColorOfChange: "Fox News is not a ‘fair and balanced' source of information or political debate, and it has repeatedly proven itself hostile to the interests of Black Americans," says a letter online activists can sign on the group's website, www.ColorOfChange.org. "Fox on-air personalities and regular guests consistently marginalize Black leaders, culture, and institutions."[..]
"No network that calls Black churches a cult, implies that Senator Barack Obama is a terrorist, and uses the solemn occasion of Coretta Scott King's funeral to call Black leaders ‘racist' should be given a stamp of approval by the CBC Institute," said James Rucker, Executive Director of ColorOfChange.org. "Validating Fox as a legitimate source of news hurts Black America."
Afro-Netizens:
Irrespective of their rhyme or reason, we implore you to join Color of Change and Afro-Netizen in urging the CBCI to lead with integrity and to not make another deal with the devil.In September of 2003 the Congressional Black Caucus co-sponsored a Democratic presidential candidate debate with Fox News at Baltimore HBCU, Morgan State University. Progressive-minded Blackfolk should have acted then, and we simply have no excuse not to act today towards keeping it (and any of its affiliated organizations) accountable.
Think Afro-Netizen and other concerned members of the netroots community are over-reacting?
Need more proof of Fox's vitriolic anti-Black agenda? Then, watch the following FoxAttacks video clip and draw your own conclusions . . .