White House adviser David Axelrod (AP Photo)
White House Communications Director Anita Dunn recently told the New York Times that Team Obama is "going to treat them [them being Fox News] the way we would treat an opponent. As they [Fox News] are undertaking a war against Barack Obama and the White House, we don't need to pretend that this is the way that legitimate news organizations behave." Does Mrs. Dunn forget the mainstream media's treatment of President Bush? Has Mrs. Dunn tuned-In to MSNBC's Schultz, Olberman, or Maddow recently?
How interesting it is that the White House is so quick to declare war on Fox News while President Obama continues to drag his feet on whether to approve a surge of troops into Afghanistan? Of course, if the White House handles the "War on Fox" like they have the war against radical Islamic extremists in Afghanistan, Fox may be asked to work with the White House Communications Department sometime next week. Recall the reports that President Obama is open to the idea of having the Taliban involved in "Afghanistan's political future."
When White House adviser David Axelrod declared Sunday that Fox News is "not a news organization," you have to wish that Team Obama was conducting the war in Afghanistan the same way they are conducting their assault on Fox. Is Fox News simply an "arm of the Republican Party" because the news organization, along with many others, highlighted that among Obama's czars are a man who ok'd sex between a minor and an adult and someone who thinks you owe your neighbor a house?
Is Fox News an "arm of the Republican Party" because it highlighted the fact that Obama's EEOC nominee praised polygamy?
The truth is, Team Obama likes puff pieces and loathes the idea of any news organization having the audacity to point out the truth about the decisions they are making, or not making, and the people they are choosing to fill advisory positions.
There are so many important issues facing the country and President Obama right now - Afghanistan, Iraq, the economy, and healthcare reform. Team Obama does not have time to treat Fox News like a Third World dictator treats journalists, and even if they did, we should all be appalled.
As Americans, whether conservative or liberal, supporters of President Obama or staunch critics of his administration, we cannot stand for the White House assault on an American fundamental right, a free press.
Jordan Sekulow is the Director of International Operations at the American Center for Law and Justice and co-host of Jay Sekulow Live. For more information visit www.ACLJ.org or follow Jordan on Twitter.
Comments
What team Obama fails to realize is prior to being elected Obama promised transparency. When the White House fails to deliver WE THE PEOPLE will do whatever is needed to shed light on what is really going on. We are turning to FOX news in droves to get to the truth about things like ACORN. If the so called mainstream media wants to improve their own ratings they need to watch FOX and take note. They are whipping all other networks combined in every time slot. Go FOX!
"...As Americans, whether conservative or liberal, supporters of President Obama or staunch critics of his administration, we cannot stand for the White House assault on an American fundamental right, a free press...."
on the press, no...on fauxnews, yes...the key word being "press"...the press brings you the news, fauxnews creates the news...no press can promote protesting tea parties, host them, provide entertainers (Ted Nuggent) and still be considered "the press"...imagine Walter Cronkite hosting Viet Nam protests and still wanting to be consdered "the press".
1Patriot says:
"...We are turning to FOX news in droves to get to the truth about things like ACORN..."
check out the ratings, fox lost 15% of their ratings in one week....people might not believe you when you tell them at work that fox is fake news, but when the President is telling them that fox is fake, they start to believe.
soooooft tryany...
tyrany
Totally totalitarianistic...walrus, are you getting paid to write here? I am skeptical of ALL TV news, even though Fox may be doing their job better than those with their lips glued where the sun don't shine, all TV news is lacking in completely reporting the facts. Unless it is C-SPAN reality TV.
Walurus, did you have the same opinion when the Code Pink group and Cindy Sheehan were getting vast amounts of coverage when they protested every place Bush went? Did you protest when Palin's clothing was a HOT piece of news coverage? If not, then you are just the same old hypocritical democrat.
It is scary when the Executive Branch declares war on ANY news organization. Do you really want to live in a country where the President is in control of the news? What happens when those who think like you are NOT in power?
The irony is that there in not ONE SINGLE unbaised news source on TV or the radio in this country anymore. The President and all his peeps are being either naive (doubt it) or purposely disingenuous (most likely) to suggest otherwise. Those who believe them are either hypocrites or fools.
Be wary of ANYONE who would assault the freedom of the press. That type of government will soon come after the rest of your freedoms.
Independents, stand up, speak out!
"..we cannot stand for the White House assault on an American fundamental right, a free press."
The White House and the "Press" underestimate the people of the United States. We are capable enough to make up our own minds on the issues when given the facts. It is the facts and their availability to us that needs to be protected. Our opinions and voice to express those opinions are what is under attack here. I thank God that I don't need to like Fox or CNN for them to be motivated. Money will flow to the one who serves the growing desire for our need to know about our changing world.
We see a master of disguise being unmasked an throwing a tantrum over it. If you don't see it, maybe you don't want to.
I want to believe the best coming from the White House, but I am losing hope with every move of suppression.
Oneil says:
"..Did you protest when Palin's clothing was a HOT piece of news coverage? "
actually, I thought that was petty...the republican party was selling a product (McCain Palin)...when you put a product on the market, you "dress it up" for the sale...when you sell your car, you wash and wax it for maximum potentail...when you put out a candidate, you "wash and wax" the candidate....but to go out of my way to protest a clothing allowance story? I would have to be stupid...............wait a minute...did you...uhhhhh....dude, if I said something....uhhhh, sorry.
awake says:
"...walrus, are you getting paid to write here?..."
If I am, someone owes me a s%%%load of money....how do I go about collecting my money?...are you getting paid? where did you apply? do I have to declare it on my taxes?...hook me up, dude...how do I get some of that money?
Oneil says:
"..Be wary of ANYONE who would assault the freedom of the press..."
Be wary of ANYONE who would assault the quality of the press (and then call themselves fair & balanced)
We must stand up for FOX its the only station that is telling it the way it really is!!!!
Teresa Williams says:
"...We must stand up for FOX its the only station that is telling it the way it really is!!!! "
THAT'S RIGHT!!! And SANTA CLAUS IS REAL!! Teresa and I saw him, didn't we Teresa? DON'T BELIEVE THEM IF THEY SAY THAT SANTA CLAUS AND FOXNEWS ARE NOT REAL!!!!
Walrus, in case you haven't noticed, we do still have freedom of speech, at least for now. No one forces you to watch Fox. If you don't like their message, then change the channel. If you aren't watching Fox, how are you getting your information? I would imagine most of your so-called "information" is coming from distorted snippets from the mainstream media!
It can be difficult for some to see things for what they are. Taking information and hashing it out for ourselves can be tiring. Those that would suppress information are banking on it so that they can guide the masses. Hence mass media is now an open battlefield.
Walrus, keep your head down it may be safer than trusting one sided information from either side of the argument. Does it bother you that someone has a differing opinion?
Examiner Reader says:
"Walrus, in case you haven't noticed, we do still have freedom of speech,..."
you noticed that too??? So, the president and his spokespersons are only using their freedom of speech when they say that fauxnews isn't a real news channel. So, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? The only one trying to take away any freedom of speech here is YOU. No one has made any move to take away fauxnews their freedom of speech. YOU are the one endangering freedom of speech.
andrew NY says:
" ..Walrus, keep your head down it may be safer than trusting one sided information from either side of the argument. Does it bother you that someone has a differing opinion?..."
no, it never has...does it bother you that the president is of the (differing) opinion that foxnews is fake news? Would it bother you if he had said that The Daily News Show was fake news?
It did bother fauxnews...they've been trying to prove that they are real news all week.
Since when has pointing out news items, not covered by other media become false. Van Jones was totally ignore across the board and it was Fox alone that had it covered. Not bad for getting the facts out and letting us decide. Why did the "real" press not cover Jones? Or was this covered the way the "real" press wanted it, hidden.
andrew NY says:
"Since when has pointing out news items, not covered by other media become false. Van Jones was totally ignore across the board and it was Fox alone that had it covered. Not bad for getting the facts out and letting us decide. Why did the "real" press not cover Jones? Or was this covered the way the "real" press wanted it, hidden. "
so, if you like it, keep on watching, no one is stopping you...does it bother you that the president has a differing opinion?
You seem to have come to the argument a little late. This week is only the “declared” antagonism for Fox coming from the White House.
Mr. Obama is entitled to his opinion as well a I. However, when you try to shut out opinion, in favor of those who agree with you, is wrong for the United States. Totalitarian states practice this well and it will function for a while. Ultimately it destroys liberty and freedom. Specifically freedom of the press is the best place to start, information. It will happen here if those of us with a voice cower with the threat to go along or be marginalized. One thing is for you and I to differ. You try to shut me out with wit and sarcasm. The White House is much to dignified a place to play these games, not to mention the fact that the President is working for US. Half of US or so don’t like the trends or the rhetoric.
andrew NY says:
"...You try to shut me out with wit and sarcasm..."
stop...you're making me blush...stop your flirting, my wife is watching us from the corner.
andrew NY says:
"..Totalitarian states practice this well and it will function for a while. Ultimately it destroys liberty and freedom..."
are you seriously comparing blackboots storming a new station and arresting everyone to the president saying foxnews is fake????
do consevatives have ANY sense of balance?...it explains why fauxnews uses the tagline "fair and balanced" they are devoid of any sense of balance to begin with.
Take a look at history. The ground work for authority to arrest, is done way before you see the storm troopers coming. The road needs to be plowed well before such power functions with no real threat to that power. When you see them coming it will be too late.
Defense of this freedom is vital to our freedom. Fox, I will defend, even if I don't agree with their slant.
andrew NY says:
"Take a look at history. The ground work for authority to arrest, is done way before you see the storm troopers coming. The road needs to be plowed well before such power functions with no real threat to that power. When you see them coming it will be too late.
Defense of this freedom is vital to our freedom. Fox, I will defend, even if I don't agree with their slant. "
dude, this ain't El Salvador...this is America...we vote people in, we vote people out...and if one of them don't pack up and move out after losing an election, we got guns to make them move out...quit making a big drama out of the president using his free speech and voicing an opinion....damn, you fauxnews viewers are big drama queens..."OMG! The President gave an OPINION!!! THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!"...Glenn Beck comes on and I swear I can hear soap opera music in the back.
Walrus, DON'T WATCH FOX IF IT OFFENDS YOU. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU! Get a life, man!
Examiner Reader says:
"Walrus, DON'T WATCH FOX IF IT OFFENDS YOU. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU! Get a life, man!"
Examiner Reader, DON'T WATCH OBAMA IF HE OFFENDS YOU. NO ONE IS FORCING YOU! Get a girlfriend, man!
Tell me, Mr. Sekulow, what did the Bush administration do in Afghanistan in 7 1/2 years? In a word, nothing.
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling that has descended on us since the election coupled with a very alive and well Chicago mentality are a bit much to stomach. We can and will figure this out and it seems finally to have started to enliven the populace. The people that thrust this character into office have long since retreated to thier pot smoking, lairs and can't remember what they did, this is a good thing. Now it's time to get busy.
Unfortunetely Miss Examiner Reader I have to watch Mr. Obama because he will have a long-lasting impact on all of our lives. No-One has to watch Fox News. Keep your head in the sand. All will be revealed.
We need to stand up and demand to have freedom of the press! I want the truth and have become so politically active now than ever before. I want to be informed. I want to know how I can have a "voice" too. Thanks ACLJ for what you provide. "Truth will set you free," so let's pray our administration starts telling us the truth.
Sad if were not true. I remember the first Bush/ Gore election and was astonished to hear Bill Crystal and other commenters on FOX refer to election results where Republicans were ahead referred to as 'our guys' are ahead or in some cases trailing and then said " our guys" are behind. What part of Fair and Balanced is that?Check the tapes and you will see. The White House is correct on this one.
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