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Dear Fox News, Nice Try. Love, Radar

  • Big doings on today's Fox and Friends! According to Media Matters, "co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade labeled New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg and editor Steven Reddicliffe 'attack dogs,' claiming that Steinberg's June 28 article on the 'ominous trend' in Fox News' ratings was a 'hit piece.'" But why would they think that?

    Supposedly, because of something we said!

    DOOCY: There was a hit piece by somebody in The New York Times. The writer was a fellow by the name of Jacques Steinberg, and he's been doing a bunch of attack stories on Fox News Channel. Well, there's some backstory to it, and that is this: His boss, the guy who assigned him to this, is a fellow by the name of Steven Reddicliffe, and Mr. Reddicliffe actually used to work for this company. He worked -- I think he was the editor in charge of TV Guide until circulation went down under his tenure --

    KILMEADE: Right.

    DOOCY: -- something like, 40 percent. So, he got fired, and according to Radar Online, this guy has had an ax to grind.

    KILMEADE: Yeah, he does, because, I think, Steve, according to reports -- according to Radar and another online magazine -- he was making close to a million dollars here, and now with his new job --

    DOOCY: Yeah.

    KILMEADE: -- he's making significantly less. How about a tenth of that?

    DOOCY: So, anyway, Radar says he's had an ax to grind, and that's why he sends his attack dog Jacques Steinberg out -- that fellow right there, the writer for The New York Times -- to do these hit pieces. So, he essentially is his attack dog. His -- his poodle, if you will.

    KILMEADE: So --

    DOOCY: Oooh! Very, very nice.

    KILMEADE: -- Radar Online has unlocked the mystery.
    Sounds pretty damning! But! Looking back at the item to which they're referring, we were actually just noting the rumors that were floating around on other blogs; rumors which we said "seem like a bit of a stretch" and characterized as a "neat little conspiracy theory." But, you know, if you simply refer to the item as if we were actually making the case for that conspiracy theory, sure, it sounds plausible that there really is a grudge. At least in the hermetic echo chamber that is Fox News.

    For the record, we did not and do not allege any grudge against Fox News on the part of the Times. Our credibility is very important to us, and we refuse to stand by and see it damaged in some kind of liberal/conservative media outlet pissing match. We want you to know that when you come to Radar for our coverage of politcs, celebrity, and fishes that make you crap orange, you are getting completely aboveboard dish.

  • Absolutely.

    And at least they know where to go to source their important media stories.

    Posted by: JCCosta32 on July 2, 2008 5:06 PM

    Fux News - MSM - Middle School 'Merikuh

    Kill the Smear Merchant!

    Posted by: kellygrrrl on July 2, 2008 10:02 PM

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