In today’s age of news media, biased coverage has been increasingly prominent and influential as shown by Fox News’ Conservative favoritism and CNN’s Liberal favoritism. This results in a lack of balanced, objective news coverage and some are taking note.
On his show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, Fox News host Tucker Carlson “urged viewers not to believe what they hear on other networks,” The Washington Post reported. In response, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane tweeted “In other words, don’t think critically, don’t consult multiple news sources, and in general, don’t use your brain. Just blindly obey Fox News. This is fringe @#$%, and it’s business like this that makes me embarrassed to work for this company.”
Mr. MacFarlane then donated $2.5 million to NPR in support of its mission to educate the public on all sides of the story.
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“We are deeply appreciative of the generous gift from Seth McFarlane, which will go to supporting local news coverage, allowing NPR and member stations to continue working together to tell the story of the whole country from everywhere in the country,”commented NPR spokeswoman Isabel Lara.
The Fairness Doctrine
Additionally, Mr. MacFarlane has tweeted his support of a restoration of The Fairness Doctrine, which was a former FCC broadcasting rule that “required all TV and radio broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on all issues.” Revoked in 1985, this doctrine would probably not have affected Fox News as the FCC does not oversee the cable network, but nonetheless, Mr. MacFarlane’s point was made.
To paraphrase, Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides, Now … Subjective vs. objective reporting is clouding the truth and blocking the sun, raining and snowing on everyone. “So many things I would have done, but clouds got in my way.
“But now it’s just another show, you leave ’em laughing when you go. And if you care, don’t let them know. Don’t give yourself away.”
Seth MacFarlane has let us know that he cares enough to give his financial support for fair, equal and thorough news coverage. Bravo!