Taking rapid shots at the Fox (Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism - Alexandra Kitty, Robert Greenwald)

Member Name: davey_26

Product:	Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism - Alexandra Kitty, Robert Greenwald
Date:	07/09/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Meticulously well documented, skilful, powerful writing

Disadvantages: Implies that the problems are simply with Fox News

This was a book I happened to come across completely accidentally. It was something of an impulse buy but since it was quite cheap, together with some positive endorsements I had heard from others, i decided to give this book a try.

The premise for this book is that ever since it's inception, Fox News has been both a popular programme for it's core mostly older republican audience, but in it's popularity has gained huge nororiety to. The notoriety has been gained through some of the many questionable strategies employed by Fox News which while they go on the slogan fair and balanced, seem to be anything but. Alexandra Kitty sets about exposing this programme of essentially fake and contrived journalism to expose what Fox News's real agenda is about.

The book is structured into five chapters, the first of these investigates the question of how Fox News came about, who owns the network channel and the inroads they have made into the market.

The second chapter investigates investigates the two key players behind Fox News who are Ailes and Ruper Murdoch, giving you quite a detailed history of the 2 men and their rise to prominence.

The Third Chapter is the key chapter for this book as it is then the journalist breaks down the tactics employed by Fox. How and why they work and of course then brings with it with the questions which arise from these.

The Fourth Chapter focuses in on these tactics in greater depth and presents a picture of the effect and impact of Fox's notorious tactics and the final chapter is something of a rallying call for people to switch over their tv sets and boycott this news channel.

The book does a great of meticulously documenting example after example which expose the fact that Fox News are clearly displaying a bias towards any line of thinking which does not fit in snugly with the republican party. It shows how their hosts literally attack and demonise anyone who has a different opinion as "un-american". Having watched Fox News myself, many of the things in this book I could instantly relate to having seen first hand how Fox News loves to wrap themselves in the red white and blue. Which is quite ironic when they are so quick to demonise the most basic tenet of America which is their freedom of speech.

Alexandra delivers an articulate and thoughtful informative book which reveals her passion and her dislike of this news network. While I can relate to what she is saying, I also feel that she somehow reflects exactly the type of hear no evil, see no evil which she accuses the Fox Network of doing. It is apparent from her own words that she is on the other side of the political spectrum.

However my problem with that position is she seems to be implying that the other news channels are whiter than white. I think this is perfectly encapsulated when she identifies the lack of investigative journalism and instead the focus of consumer bite sized simplicity as being one of the problems.

While I think she is spot on with what she is saying, in my opinion at least, Fox News are simply a reflection of most of the mainstream media. All across the board there has been a lack of focus on investigative journalism. She of course identifies the reasons behind this and the over riding reason is the cost saving but again, there is never any attempt to honestly reflect upon this as the general accepted state of all news programmes.

I think this is an excellent book which will certainly strike a blow for those looking for an informative, passionate, hard hitting book. She clearly is a talented writer as she managed to keep my attention throughout the book. However I also get the feeling that she is painting a picture of the dark side vs good and is somehow only pointing the accusing finger at Fox News.

I would certainly recommend this book but to keep in mind the fundamental flaws which identifies, while not as blatantly obvious as the ones displayed so unashamedly on Fox News, are still very much in evidence with the likes of CNN, and indeed here on ITV, the BBC News etc.
Excellent book!

Summary: Excellent book which despite a few minor gripes is highly recommended.