Would an organized boycott of FOX NEWS work?

[Kingshakabobo]

I'm talking about a real, hard core, boycott of these A--holes. Not a "turn off your television" kind of campaign.

We would have to be able to do some damage to FOX and their advertisers.

Maybe Moveon.org could get the ball rolling?

I know their viewership has to consist of a good number of reasonable people and un-enlightened democrats that just do not realize what garbage they are actually being fed. I know I used to be a viewer even though I hate the Bush administration. I watched only because I am a news junkie and used to like the talking heads shows. Now, every time I flip past that POS channel I want to "Elvis" my TV.

I just watched the clips from "Outfoxed" again, on Democracynow.org, and my head is hurting more than ever. I saw the movie in the theater but watching it again pisses me off more than ever.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/16/1442221

Email this to as many people as you can. It's a great compilation of clips from "Outfoxed".

[Contrary1]

1. Boycott the sponsers...

it doesn't matter if we watch it or not. The sponsers
are the one ones to go after.

[cthrumatrix]

13. I agree...start a list

[Pirate Smile]

2. I'm a news junkie and I never watch them. We are not their audience.

I don't think it would work. My freeper in-laws watch them non-stop. This is their audience and they are not going to stop watching.

[ladjf]

3. It would help if the cable companies would offer FOX as

an "ala carte" item. It really irritates me that my cable bill includes FOX ,which I NEVER watch.

[TWiley]

12. THAT IS THE PROBLEM ! Great Idea !

And, this is the one that needs to be addressed. Those assholes on church TV are also part of the "standard cable" fare.

How do we proceed from here? This approach may just work.

[ladjf]

15. I heard that some of the cable companies were

offering "ala carte" programming and that Michael Powell put a stop to it. That would be the perfect way to get some control over programming. We would have to get enough people complaining to the cable companies that the would fear losing profit as a result of the dissatisfaction. I guess a good first step would be for us to talk it up on DU and get as many of our people to call up and complain as possible. I've already done it.

[TWiley]

26. Maybe we could ask some Senators / Congressmen if

they thought it was worthwhile to persue. It would have a better chance if someone like that took intrest in it.

[mike_c]

4. if you want to be hardcore, and at least make a difference...

...in your own quality of life, I recommend shutting off the squawking box altogether. Don't just boycott Fox-- cast off all your shackles. :)

[Kingshakabobo]

8. You are correct. I watch less and less every day.

Of course I spend way too much time here.

Has anyone formed "DU anonymous" yet? I though I would spend less time here after the election but I was wrong.

Sometimes I wish I had swallowed the "other pill" and remained ignorant.

[SoCalDem]

25. At least switch to Dish TV

Cable companies are HEAVY republican contributors.. Whe I took my cable stuff back, they asked why.. I tolf them I was tired of them using MY money to make political donations.. I said it loudly so the other people in the "packed" lobby could hear. The woman at the desk, asked what I meant.. I just said.. I do not approve of your company's politics, signed her papers and left :)

We love DISH, and it's actually got lots of progressive programming.. I wish we had CBC, but even lacking that, it's still way better than cable.

[brooklynite]

5. No...

The goal of Fox News is -not-primarily to make a profit (although Rupert doesn't mind if it does); its to spread a conservative message to the true-believers and to pressure gov't officials. Much like the Washington Times or the New York Sun, the owners are willing to eat a certain amount of prifitability for the sake of transmitting the conservative creed in as many markets as possible.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

9. Exactly the point. Fox lost money for years before finally...

turning a profit. Besides, the The Chimperial Monkey Wonder would just add their reporters to the gov't payroll and give Fox some sort of secret subsidy.

[marmar]

6. I dont' watch anything on Fox...

not even football, which I love. And I tell everyone who asks the reason why.

[napi21]

14. I draw the line at the not watching football!

I never watch any of the FOX chanels for anything else, but they somehow got the rights to broadcast the NFL games, and as long as they are the only game in town, I'll watch the games. Maybe some other network will get the rights next time.

[Imalittleteapot]

7. So who is going to boycott FOX?

Us? We don't watch it anyway.

[Jacobin]

11. Kinda settles that

In other news I'm asking all fundies to boycott RW baptist churches.

:-)

[TWiley]

10. Count me in, They lie so much they will probably announce

that they have hit the record with loyal viewership. Next, they will probably give themselves an AWARD for journalistic excellence.

Like all true republicans, when their lips are moving, then you will know that they are lying.

[Psephos]

16. Yes, and let's boycott evangelical churches and monster truck shows, too

Come on people, get serious. How can boycotting something we don't patronize in the first place have an effect?

What's important is not "shutting down" Faux News, but making sure alternative viewpoints are also widely reported and discussed. We don't want to win the game by forcing a forfeit, we want to smack them down on the playing field by scoring more points. Victory is both more complete and more satisfying that way.

Nuff said.

[enki23]

17. no shit. that's like o'reilly viewers boycotting france

half of them probably think they're cheating on the boycott when they order fries with their big mac.

[Kingshakabobo]

18. First of all, I was serious.

Secondly, you don't have to necessarily patronize a business to organize a boycott. I participated in the, partially successful, boycott of Sinclair by writing letters to businesses that I never stepped foot in.

I'm talking about pressuring the advertisers and educating the un-enlightened moderates. That's all.

"nuff said"

[Psephos]

21. No offense...I know you were serious

I enjoy a good discussion, and you raised a valid question about responding to Faux News. A big problem with online forums is that it's tough sometimes to judge the emotions behind the posts.

There's something in me that doesn't like the idea of trying to shut down the opposition. First of all, it legitimizes any attempts they might make to do the same to news outlets that we like. Second, it just goes against general principles of fair play. The protection of free speech is easy - until you encounter speech you don't like.

I think that our values and views are strong enough to prevail over theirs in the marketplace of ideas. If you believe in them too, then I suggest focusing not on squelching theirs, but bettering ours. There is an intensely attractive psychological effect that attaches to strength and confidence. When I hear of someone trying to shut down an opposing viewpoint, I think, "hmm, they can't win on merit, so they have to use the back door." Wrong message, if you're trying to win hearts and minds.

Peace.

[Kingshakabobo]

24. I don't agree that a boycott squelches free speech.

I think a boycott IS free speech and a statement that we ain't buyin the sh-t Fox is pedaling. Fox is a business not a teacher or college professor.

Just an idea. Probably wouldn't work because the sheeple in this country are clueless and that is what Bush/Fox count on. :(


Anyway....Peace

[nostamj]

19. time would be better spent

getting Faux OFF the military bases. it's INSANE that soldiers are actually force-fed pure propaganda from Faux and Limbaugh.

we don't watch it, so, we're already boycotting. and we're not likely to tear the angry babies who suck at the Faux/corporate tit away from the daily dose of sweet oblivious pap

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[porphyrian]

22. Not now.

However, a boycott isn't the only way to hurt it financially. I can't believe that the assholes at the helm of that shit-spewing monster have pristine records and nothing damaging to hide. It probably wouldn't take exposing many of them before they lost it.

[UdoKier]

23. I called my company and asked them to remove Fox News...

They were like "Really? It's one of our MOST REQUESTED channels."



I wish we had "a la carte" channel ordering here...


I guess there's always the "Fox Blocker".

http://foxblocker.com/