The next Democratic Administration should teach Fox News a lesson

[bluestateguy]

Shortly before the next Democratic president is inaugurated, either in 2005 or 2009, he or she should call a friendly meeting with Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes. Tony Snow, Brit Hume, Bill O'Reilly and other Fox commentators could be invited as well. At that meeting the new president should inform the folks at Fox that the White House is under new management, and that the privileges they enjoyed under the Bush Administration are now over. They should be informed that until Fox News substantially changes the content, tone and substance of their coverage, their access to the White House will be restricted: seats could be moved last row in the press corps, or later taken away entirely; Adminisration officials and leading Democrats will be instructed not to speak with Fox reporters. Fox should be asked to hire more liberals, not Alan Colmes disciples, but real liberals who will be free to speak their minds. The network should also be asked to air one or two puff-piece stories per month on the new president ("Coming up at 6: How President Clark gets his strength, and how Middle America is loving it"), as well as an adoring, two hour commemorative special on the life of Bill Clinton, that pays heed only to his accomplishments in office. The network should also be asked to question the patriotism of anyone who dissents from the Administration. This will all be needed so that the "fair and balanced" network can balance out 7 years of GOP propaganda. Otherwise, a friendly reminder should be made that the Administration appoints the FCC commissioners who issue broadcast liscences.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. very very bad idea

Goverment in control of media? While I can admit that now things look pretty bad, go down this road and you open the door that cannot be closed...

TheProdigal

[stopthegop]

2. meet the new boss...

same as the old boss...

[gratuitous]

3. Please! Nothing so gauche

Just a systematic program of IRS audits, FCC license reviews, carefully managed press conferences and photo ops that exclude all Fox personnel and representatives, and a total freeze-out of information to Fox. Let 'em read Helen Thomas if they want to report the news.