Slow Burn: The Rise of Fox News | Episode 5 - "Ludacris Has Been Fired"

Host: Josh Levine
Featured Guest: Al Franken
Release Date: October 16, 2024

Introduction and Context

In the fifth episode of Slow Burn’s 10th season, host Josh Levine delves into a pivotal era in American media history—the rise of Fox News from 2000 to 2004. This period marked Fox News' transformation into a dominant force in cable news, prompting significant pushback from the American left. Central to this narrative is Al Franken, a comedian-turned-politician, whose early confrontations with Fox News champion Bill O'Reilly exemplify the growing tension between conservative media and progressive voices.

Al Franken’s Confrontation at Book Expo

The episode opens at the 2003 Book Expo America in Los Angeles, where Al Franken, then a comedian and author, engages in a heated exchange with Bill O'Reilly.

• Franken's Accusation:
  At [02:01], Franken asserts, “I felt that Fox was this propaganda machine that did not have any integrity... So much of what was coming out of Fox wasn't true.”
  He openly labels O'Reilly a liar, setting the stage for a public feud.

• O'Reilly’s Defense:
  At [04:14], O'Reilly counters, “If I'm going to be accused of being a liar now, you better have something there... I don't call people liars and I don't lie.”

• The Clash:
  The tension culminates when Franken confronts O'Reilly live, leading O'Reilly to angrily command, “[06:40] Shut up. This isn't yours.”

Legal Battle: Fox News Sues Al Franken

Following the confrontation, Fox News files a lawsuit against Franken for trademark infringement over his book's subtitle, "A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right."

• Fox's Legal Claim:
  Fox News argued that Franken's use of "Fair and Balanced" infringed on their trademark and portrayed them negatively.

• Judge's Ruling:
  At [11:03], the judge quickly dismissed the case as “wholly without merit,” effectively ending the lawsuit in Franken's favor.

• Aftermath:
  Franken capitalizes on the publicity, prompting his publisher to accelerate the book's release and print an additional 50,000 copies ([11:31]).

Air America Radio: The Left’s Response

In response to Fox News' ascendancy, progressive leaders sought to create a counterpart to challenge the conservative media giant.

• Creation of Air America:
  Al Franken becomes a key figure in launching Air America Radio, aiming to introduce a liberal voice similar to Rush Limbaugh’s conservative platform ([14:12]).

• Programming Challenges:
  The network struggled with defining its identity, balancing comedy with serious political discourse. Shows like Liz Winstead’s "Unfiltered," co-hosted by Chuck D, and Marc Maron's "Morning Sedition" highlight internal conflicts and audience reception issues ([16:22]).

• Financial Struggles:
  Air America faced significant financial hurdles, including unpaid staff salaries and dependency on shaky funding sources, leading to instability and limited reach ([20:46]).

MoveOn and DailyKos: Mobilizing the Online Left

Parallel to Air America’s efforts, online platforms like MoveOn.org and DailyKos emerged as vital hubs for progressive activism.

• MoveOn's Influence:
  James Rucker spearheads initiatives like Foxwatch, organizing volunteers to monitor Fox News for bias and misinformation ([34:44]).

• DailyKos Expansion:
  Marcos Militsis develops DailyKos into a sprawling progressive blog, fostering a community of activists who felt marginalized by mainstream media ([30:09]).

• Community Mobilization:
  These platforms empowered individuals to organize protests, distribute anti-Fox News materials, and create grassroots movements that countered Fox’s narratives ([33:05]).

Outfoxed: Exposing Fox News

Robert Greenwald’s documentary, "Outfoxed," becomes a cornerstone of the left’s media critique.

• Production and Volunteers:
  Greenwald collaborates with MoveOn and recruits volunteers, predominantly women, to catalog Fox News' biases and misleading practices, known as "newshounds" ([44:53]).

• Documentary Content:
  "Outfoxed" compiles footage highlighting Fox News' sensationalism, such as O'Reilly's mockery of guests and racially charged segments, aiming to expose the network's underlying agenda ([51:08]).

• Reception and Impact:
  Despite critical acclaim from progressive circles, mainstream media largely dismissed "Outfoxed" as preachy. However, the documentary galvanized Fox News critics, leading to increased activism and public demonstrations ([55:36]).

The Battle for Public Perception

As Fox News solidified its influence, the left grappled with effective strategies to dismantle its dominance.

• Fox’s Dominance:
  By 2004, Fox News had entrenched itself as a primary news source for conservatives, with powerful figures like Bill O'Reilly shaping public opinion ([13:06]).

• Progressive Responses:
  Efforts like Air America and "Outfoxed" sought to provide alternative narratives, but faced challenges in matching Fox's media prowess and financial backing ([23:09]).

• Community Fractures:
  Internal disagreements within progressive organizations about the best approach to counter Fox News—whether through direct emulation or distinct, grassroots methods—highlighted the complexities of media battles ([24:17]).

Conclusion and Legacy

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring impact of these early efforts to challenge Fox News. While Air America ultimately did not achieve the same level of success as its conservative counterpart, the seeds planted by platforms like MoveOn.org and DailyKos laid the groundwork for future progressive media ventures, including Rachel Maddow's influential role on MSNBC. The strategic battle between Fox News and the American left during these formative years set the stage for the deeply polarized media landscape seen today.

Notable Quotes

• Al Franken ([03:01]): "We'll do it live. I can. I'll write it and we'll do it live."

• Al Franken ([05:19]): "So, Bill, I'm sorry I call you one of the many people who do lie in my book."

• Al Franken ([13:25]): “What I do is taking what they say and using it against them. What I do is jiu Jitsu.”

• Al Franken ([17:20]): “Today is both an ending and a beginning. An end to the right wing dominance of talk radio. The beginning of a battle for truth, a battle for justice. A battle indeed for America itself.”

• Al Franken ([23:09]): "The left says, crap, look how successful these conservatives are with cable news channels, with talk radio. And they think, okay, what we need to do is recreate those things."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Slow Burn meticulously chronicles the strategic maneuvers of both Fox News and its progressive challengers. Through interviews, firsthand accounts, and critical analysis, it offers a comprehensive look at how media battles shape political discourse and public opinion. For listeners new to the series, this episode provides essential insights into the origins of modern media polarization and the enduring struggle for narrative dominance in American politics.