It has been nearly two weeks since news broke that News Corp. donated $1 million to the Republican Governors Association (and TVNewser put it in context to other political donations) but for liberal advocacy groups, it is a gift that keeps on giving.
At least one organization, TrueMajority.org, which was founded by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream fame, is still citing the donation-and Fox News-in an email to subscribers this week.
In it, True Majority online director Matt Holland writes:
Listen up — I’ve got some breaking news. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., which owns Fox News, is pro-Republican!
Fox News has always insisted it was “Fair and Balanced,” despite its constant attacks on the “liberal elite” and its unbridled affection for all things Tea Party. But with News Corp.’s donation of $1 million to the Republican Governors Association, the truth is finally out.Of course, we knew it all along. But now that the check’s been written, it’s time for us to stand up and shout, “Enough!” We can’t allow the most-watched cable news station in America to function unhindered as the communications arm of the Republican Party…
It’s bad enough when corporations like Target give to Republican candidates, but this is a huge media conglomerate we’re talking about. News Corp. can use its vast network of print, broadcast and Internet holdings to sway the American public toward its conservative agenda — something it’s already doing to great effect.
The email goes on to solicit donations from subscribers, with the goal of reaching $10,000 by August 31.
Is it accurate? Not really. News Corp. and Fox News are not interchangeable, and insinuating that the company has some sort of diabolical agenda is very misleading. Are some outlets more conservative-leaning? Sure, but that was the case before the donation too, the money does not change anything.