Calling Legal Eggheads

[Brian Morans]

Is there a legal basis upon which FAUX News could be sued for false advertising? Their slogan "Fair and Balanced" makes a mockery of journalism. Nobody has pursued legal action that I'm aware of, so I would assume it is not legally feasible.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I was just thinking the same thing this morning!!!

I was thinking about misrepresentation of product, false advertising, deception, etc. At least get a permanent injunction to stop Faux from using that byline.

Upon reconsideration, I can see Faux rebutting with "Fox News, Fair & Balanced: Oh, the irony!"

[Don_G]

2. As Long As Colin Powell's Son Heads The FCC?

Ask Kerry and Edwards next year.

[miamimama]

3. How about "the most trusted cable news?"

This is my first post. I try to listen to Fox and it makes my stomach turn. I feel like Alice In Wonderland and that I've fallen down the rabbit hole where nothing makes sense.
One question - why do any Democrats appear on Fox. They (and we) should just ignore it.

[Brian Morans]

4. Welcome to DU!

[Brian Morans]

6. What about a class action suit

of schmoes who actually believed their slogans were somehow based in fact. "They corrupted our minds!"

[onecitizen]

8. I've wondered about that too.......

why do they even bother? They give them credibility by being on their air. And somebody pleeeeezzzzz tell me what kind of a Dem is MORT whateverhisnameis?

welcome miamimama! Like the name!:-)

[miamimama]

13. Thanks for the welcome

You can call me Mama for short :)

[newyawker99]

16. Hi miamimama!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Taylor Mason Powell]

5. No, I don't think so...

There are all sorts of first amendment defenses that fox would have, and I think the slogan "fair and balanced" is probably sufficiently vague that you can't consider it a "misrepresentation," in the legal sense. The phrase "fair and balanced" might refer to the content of Fox news itself, OR, as I've heard some say, Fox's rightward tilt could be considered a way of "balancing" the supposed "leftward" slant of CNN and other news outlets. That's total bullshit of course, but I'm just thinking as a fox lawyer might...

Hey, I love your DU name!! Hilarious! (unless your real name is "Brian Morans" by some odd coincidence, in which case I apologize for making fun of your name. :-))

[trof]

7. Are you really named after 3 cable cars?

cool

[Taylor Mason Powell]

14. No cable car on Taylor St...

There are on Mason and Powell... here's a cool little map:

http://www.sfcablecar.com/routes.html

I picked the name because it sounded cool...and it pays homage to my favorite city!

[Brian Morans]

9. Why is my name funny?

I'm not about to find out that my parents played a cruel trick on me, am I? I've always loved my name... my parents used to boast about me to their friends: "You all should get a Brian Morans"

[Cuban_Liberal]

10. I seriously doubt it.

In the first place, you have no legal standing to sue, and neither do you have a cause of action, since you can prove no injury, etc. .

[Brian Morans]

11. You guys are right, but

They could measure the average IQ of the FAUX viewer. They could poll them for misperceptions. Of course it would be hard to win, but I'd love to see someone do it.

[madrchsod]

12. they were sued

in florida and won-they don`t have to tell the truth.

[djg21]

15. It's nothing but "puffing"

Just like the diner that advertises "the world's best coffee."

It's entirely subjective, and no rational person could ever believe any news outlet to be entirely objectively "fair and balanced" -- especially not FAUX.

[Tsiyu]

17. If you could find a "fair and balanced" judge

I'd say you have a case but not a snowball's chance on a BBQ grill to prove that case. They could just say they are fair and balanced in regards to their demographic: "We show the idiots AND the fools equally!"

Just don't watch the cretins. It really is bad for your mental health and morale.

They want to suck the life blood out of you, Man! Don't let them.