The Fox News ‘Lying Tax,’ Tucker and More with Brian Stelter
Nov 20, 2023
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Brian Stelter, former host of CNN’s Reliable Sources and author of "Network of Lies," dives into the chaotic world of Fox News and its recent controversies. He reveals the implications of Tucker Carlson's firing, the fallout from Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits, and the ethical responsibilities of media figures. Stelter also discusses the succession dynamics within Rupert Murdoch's empire and the challenges faced by CNN. With insider insights, he highlights the ongoing struggle between journalistic integrity and audience loyalty amidst a landscape rife with misinformation.
Lachlan Murdoch's consolidation of power aims to reshape Fox News towards the center.
Tucker Carlson's firing highlighted the need for a leader with a clear vision at Fox News.
The Dominion lawsuit forced Fox News to confront accountability and the damage caused by false narratives.
Deep dives
Lachlan Murdoch's Attempt to Consolidate Power
Lachlan Murdoch's attempt to consolidate power is evident in his semi-retirement move, aiming to anoint his son Lachlan as the heir apparent. The goal is to make it harder for other adult children to overrule or intervene in the future. While Fox News has faced the departure of star hosts in the past, Tucker Carlson's firing created shockwaves due to the magnitude and impact on ratings. However, Fox News remained bigger than any individual star. The question remains whether Lachlan's vision will reshape the network towards the center or if the network will continue with its fringy and radical elements.
Tucker Carlson's Radicalization and Departure
Tucker Carlson's journey towards becoming the most popular show on Fox News was marked by a radicalization process. From exaggerating incidents to isolation in the Trump era, several factors contributed to his transformation. His move to off-site compounds and a shift in his information diet led to a detachment from reality. While his departure from Fox News created shockwaves, it also highlighted the need for a leader with a clear vision at the network. Jesse Waters replaced Tucker Carlson as the main actor, aiming to minimize controversies while maximizing profits.
Dominion Lawsuit and Fox News Accountability
Fox News faced a major threat in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, which they initially underestimated. The lawsuit exposed the network's strategic misinformation, highlighting the emails, texts, and damaging contents from Fox executives, hosts, and guests. The fallout of the Dominion lawsuit forced Fox News to confront Tucker Carlson's behavior and played a part in his firing. Furthermore, the book 'Network of Lies' by Brian Stelter sheds light on Fox News' coverage during the 2020 election and the subsequent legal battles. It emphasizes the need for accountability in the face of assaults on democracy.
Fox News lacks accountability and standards
The podcast episode highlights how Fox News lacks the checks and balances that other networks have. The absence of a robust system of accountability and vetting allows misinformation and conspiracy theories to thrive. The hosts at Fox News have often prioritized ratings and audience reception over responsible journalism, leading to the mainstreaming of false narratives. The case of Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits reveals the damage caused by Fox News' propagation of baseless election fraud claims. While some reporters at Fox News strive to be journalists, there is a clear disconnect between their efforts and the network's propensity for false narratives.
Rupert Murdoch's role and the accountability dilemma
Despite Rupert Murdoch's active involvement in his media empire, especially Fox News, he seemingly avoided taking responsibility for the false narratives spread by his network. The episode suggests that Murdoch's inaction and failure to intervene in cases of misinformation and lies highlights a moral and ethical responsibility that he failed to uphold. The discussion also touches on the question of accountability for media owners, highlighting the need for consequences, such as financial settlements, to deter the spreading of misinformation. However, it remains to be seen whether accountability measures will be effective in changing the culture at Fox News.
Why did Fox News knowingly air unhinged conspiracy theories about Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic and then fire Tucker Carlson, its most popular host, just days after settling with Dominion for $787.5 million? Brian Stelter, the former host of CNN’s Reliable Sources, explores these questions and more in a new book, Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for American Democracy. The TLDL: Tucker and Rupert deserved each other, until they didn’t. But do listen to get the scoops on Fox … and on CNN from this media insider.
This interview was recorded live at 92NY on Tuesday November 14th.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on social media. We’re on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher and @nayeemaraza
