A group of journalists and journalism professors have signed an open letter accusing Fox News of regularly sharing “misinformation” on the coronavirus, making the network’s coverage a “danger to public health.”
The letter, which was signed by 74 professors and working journalists and sent to Fox Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch and the company’s CEO Lachlan Murdoch, says that "viewers of Fox News, including the president of the United States, have been regularly subjected to misinformation relayed by the network — false statements downplaying the prevalence of COVID-19 and its harms; misleading recommendations of activities that people should undertake to protect themselves and others, including casual recommendations of untested drugs; false assessments of the value of measures urged upon the public by their elected political leadership and public health authorities.”
It notes that although some of Fox News’ coverage has been accurate, many of its most prominent personalities have not stuck to the facts. The letter specifically names Sean Hannity, Steve Hilton and Tucker Carlson as making inaccurate statements on-air. Carlson reported about a controversial study from France that claimed to show anti-malarial drugs can help treat COVID-19, which President Donald Trump soon said was a “game changer,” but a main member of his coronavirus task force later noted that the claim remains unproven.
"Inexcusably, Fox News has violated elementary canons of journalism. In so doing, it has contributed to the spread of a grave pandemic," the letter concludes. "Urgently, therefore, in the name of both good journalism and public health, we call upon you to help protect the lives of all Americans — including your elderly viewers — by ensuring that the information you deliver is based on scientific facts."
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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