If Fox News had been called out for burying the Monsanto story?

GeographyDude

Gone Fishin'
Basically, Monsanto sent a scare letter, and Fox News folded like a cheap lawn chair. This happened in 1997. Monsanto was also a major advertiser at the time and probably still is.

https://books.google.com/books?id=p...=onepage&q=fox investigators monsanto&f=false

Now, the fact that Fox plays fast and loose with the facts and is a bulldog with their liberal opponents, a lot of their viewers like that. But the fact that they go all scared in response to an advertiser, that's a lot less likeable.

If Fox News had gotten called out, they probably would have gotten better as far as including a heavier dose of straightforward journalism. The history of American journalism over the last seventeen years, with mistakes along the way, of course, but overall probably would have been at a higher level.
 
Two problems with that. First, it was a local Fox affiliate, not Fox News. Second, and worst, is that other media outlets were on Fox's side.
 

GeographyDude

Gone Fishin'
This is from Censored 25: The Top 25 Censored Stories

https://books.google.com/books?id=T...a=X&ei=VeiUVJrmFbX9sATgnIGQCg&ved=0CBkQ6AEwAQ

One of the two reporters won at jury trial. Fox appealed, and the appellate judge threw out the jury verdict by ruling that the reporter was not covered by whistleblower protection. This appeals court ruled that the FCC policy against falsifying news does not rise to the level of a "law, rule, or regulation" (!!!)

And the following five media outlets filed friends of the court briefs in support of Fox: Belo Corp., Cox Television, Gannett, Media General Operations, and Post-Newsweek Stations.
 
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GeographyDude

Gone Fishin'
So, this became publicized, at least somewhat, in '98. Fall of '99 were the protests in Seattle against globalization. And some time around this time, there was the interesting, colorful case in which the Canadian farmer stood up against Monsanto, with shades of David vs. Goliath.

Maybe if just one news corporation, CNN, or MSNBC, or ABC, etc, were interested in pursuing this story and weren't so afraid of a news war?

Maybe if an activist group tried to form their own media outlet?
 
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