Fox News Strategy

How can they do it? Or rather -- how can they get away with it?

Over and over, Fox News broadcasts lies. And the amazing thing is how many people believe them.

I really didn't pay much attention to Fox News until I saw the documentary "OUTFOXED: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism. But especially through the general election of 2004 and even more during the 2008 election, Fox seemed to kick into overdrive.

I know people (way too many) who are Fox Fans and quote and retweet and babble-on with all the misinformation that emanates from the Murdoch-Roger Ailes bastion of yellow journalism. I see people I grew up with and know intimately (and in some cases, am related to) who align themselves with birthers and tea-baggers and Glen Beck and -- all that other crazy BS.

The best, most concise discussion of this Fox-Phenomenon was recently discussed in The Oregonian by Mary Pitman Kitch:

"Except it does all raise a question: By saying over and over that white is black, can you make it so? A few people will be credible enough to believe you. A few skeptical souls will take out their color wheels, check and insist white is still white. But there are a lot of people between the two extremes who aren't paying a whole lot of attention.

Sadly, if your goal is to confuse, obscure, obfuscate, it isn't that hard to succeed. You won't convince the majority that white is black, but all you really need to do is make people pause, doubt and wonder. If you can do that much, you don't have to go any further.

Your mission is accomplished.

You've convinced them that white is gray."

------------------------------

If you have seen "Outfoxed" and would like to see the follow-up, go to Brave New Films' web site and see what they've got.