Boycotting Fox News Advertisers - App

[Lumiere]

Greetings Android community!

Purpose for app + political rant:

I have an idea for an Android app that I would very much like to see happen. I'm a politically moderate and independent minded American who is fed up with Fox News and their role in shaping elections and peddling right wing propaganda. I believe Fox News is a primary catalyst in the political polarization of this country and a grave threat to our democracy with their continued campaign support for Tea Party (and other far right-wing) candidates. There are millions of people in this country alone who are fed up and disgusted with Fox News' biased and reprehensible "journalism," masquerading as fair and balanced news, but, these people do nothing but complain. Meanwhile, Fox News garners an ever larger demographic, and generates ever more millions in ad revenue. If nothing is done at the consumer level to directly combat this, such political propaganda within popular "news" media will only get worse (while becoming more profitable as it transitions to mainstream). That doesn't bode well for the future of our democracy.

App functionality:

The basic functionality of the app seems simple to me - the app would access an online database that is updated daily with a list of all companies that have advertised on Fox News for that day. These companies would then be flagged for a period of 15 - 30 days following their last Fox News ad. The app could function like a "check in" for the user, utilizing geographic location. The user could then immediately see if their "check in" location has supported Fox News (or check in advance before arriving). The user could then decide whether to give this company their business or boycott them.

Closing arguments:

There are numerous groups of individuals that will likely support this, including: labor unions, environmental groups, democrats, independents, students, even moderate/centrist republicans, et al. I believe millions of people are itching to do something, but don't know what or how...people are lazy and political activism is too much work for the average human. This app would provide them a simple means to boycott any company that advertises on Fox News, hopefully yielding an immediate impact on News Corp's revenue, and forcing their shareholders to demand programmatic changes and a shift in Fox News' business model. Responsible and objective journalism is the ultimate goal...as a consumer, I have the right to not do business with any company that supports destructive and divisive right-wing propaganda. I choose to exercise this right, and so will many others.

Please let me know if such an app is feasible (and can be ported to iPhone) - thank you!

Lumiere

 

[BringItSon]

Pretty good idea for an app, but i think you have whole thing wrong...

Fox news exist because people who are like them watches it not the other way around. The moderates + liberals who think your apps is a great idea prob don't watch Fox news anyway. the current Fox news viewers prob may not even care due to their standing and polarity.

Having said that, Fox News is a joke... They seriously lack journalistic ethics and such. For example, it is considered unethical to be involved in anyway (especially financially) with the news you are reporting on.

However, TONS of fox reporters and journalists are financially involved with political candidates. And hell, they even go and make speeches at conservative rallies(considered highly highly unethical).

At least NBC has strong ethics rules set up. Yes i know NBC is biased too, but its nothing compared to Fox.

 

[Crude]

Greetings Android community!

Purpose for app + political rant:

I have an idea for an Android app that I would very much like to see happen. I'm a politically moderate and independent minded American who is fed up with MSNBC and their role in shaping elections and peddling left wing propaganda. I believe MSNBC is a primary catalyst in the political polarization of this country and a grave threat to our democracy with their continued campaign support for Obama (and other far left-wing) candidates. There are millions of people in this country alone who are fed up and disgusted with MSNBC' biased and reprehensible "journalism," masquerading as fair and balanced news, but, these people do nothing but complain. Meanwhile, MSNBC garners an ever larger demographic, and generates ever more millions in ad revenue. If nothing is done at the consumer level to directly combat this, such political propaganda within popular "news" media will only get worse (while becoming more profitable as it transitions to mainstream). That doesn't bode well for the future of our democracy.

Fox news is the polar opposite to other progressive news agencies and there are a few of them. Be happy fox news is a cable news channel only and not ota like some of the progressive ones.

Fox news pays the bills, so they aren't going away. Sorry.

Lastly, doesn't this belong in android-applications?

 

[Lumiere]

Pretty good idea for an app, but i think you have whole thing wrong...

Fox news exist because people who are like them watches it not the other way around. The moderates + liberals who think your apps is a great idea prob don't watch Fox news anyway. the current Fox news viewers prob may not even care due to their standing and polarity.

Having said that, Fox News is a joke... They seriously lack journalistic ethics and such. For example, it is considered unethical to be involved in anyway (especially financially) with the news you are reporting on.

However, TONS of fox reporters and journalists are financially involved with political candidates. And hell, they even go and make speeches at conservative rallies(considered highly highly unethical).

At least NBC has strong ethics rules set up. Yes i know NBC is biased too, but its nothing compared to Fox.

I agree with you 100% that Fox News exists because there is a market for it. However, if enough people choose to (and can easily) boycott the advertisers that make Fox News profitable, enough people will create an negative revenue impact for said advertisers. If a company actually loses customers or business (especially the highly sought after 18 - 30 year old demographic that this app would largely be utilized by), any company will rethink their decision to advertise on Fox.

News Corp shareholders will demand a programmatic change should ad revenue slide. There are probably millions of people that despise Fox News and its political impact on America...they just don't think they can do anything about it. Here's an app that let's anyone who loathes Fox News do the most impacting thing possible - hit them in their corporate earnings. It's as simple as pushing a button...even the most lazy person out there can easily take political action in defense of democracy and responsible/ethical journalism. They just need a spark (and an app)!

 

[trackball]

And I happen to believe Fox news is the only news channel that gives the conservative side of things... So if you do call yourself moderate (yeah right!), you should probably make a similar app for MSNBC, ABC, CNN, CBS to tell people what advertisers are on left biased media. Sorry, but you just jumped Fox hate bandwagon because you don't agree with them, you think they should be destroyed because of that? Sorry, normal independent minded people don't wish for things like that.

 

[cds0699]

I tend to think there's a problem with all main stream media sources.

 

[BringItSon]

I agree with you 100% that Fox News exists because there is a market for it. However, if enough people choose to (and can easily) boycott the advertisers that make Fox News profitable, enough people will create an negative revenue impact for said advertisers. If a company actually loses customers or business (especially the highly sought after 18 - 30 year old demographic that this app would largely be utilized by), any company will rethink their decision to advertise on Fox.

News Corp shareholders will demand a programmatic change should ad revenue slide. There are probably millions of people that despise Fox News and its political impact on America...they just don't think they can do anything about it. Here's an app that let's anyone who loathes Fox News do the most impacting thing possible - hit them in their corporate earnings. It's as simple as pushing a button...even the most lazy person out there can easily take political action in defense of democracy and responsible/ethical journalism. They just need a spark (and an app)!

Hm. well said. this app will need some huge following though and supports from many many groups.

perhaps you should add "frequent advertiser" option which can flag advertise who frequently uses Fox network as means of advertisement.

I tend to think there's a problem with all main stream media sources.

I agree. but i think Fox is bit more special due to highly unethical journalistic practices. (i explained in my previous post)

 

[Lumiere]

Fox news is the polar opposite to other progressive news agencies and there are a few of them. Be happy fox news is a cable news channel only and not ota like some of the progressive ones.

Fox news pays the bills, so they aren't going away. Sorry.

Lastly, doesn't this belong in android-applications?

I'll tell you what...I agree with you. Make an app to boycott Current TV (Keith Olbermann) and MSNBC advertisers. Yes, they are liberal media - the reason I could careless about targeting them is that they have no impact on American politics. Nobody watches Current TV or MSNBC...remember Air America (liberal talk radio)? It was a colossal failure. The vast bulk of liberals and progressives don't flock to left-wing propaganda media. Also, MSNBC doesn't actively campaign for radical far left candidates, and most importantly...MSNBC doesn't bill itself as "Fair and Balanced" news. MSNBC's slogan is "The Place for Politics." Bingo! It's political rhetoric and opinion, not "news."

Fox News is extremely popular amongst conservative voters *AND* bills itself as a genuine "news network," *AND* proclaims to be "fair and balanced." If it called itself the GOP opinion network, I could careless what political vitriol it spews out. It's millions of viewers honestly think they're watching "news" - and are told that all other media sources are radical far left propaganda.

That is frightening to even think about, let alone ponder its impact on American democracy.

 

[Lumiere]

Hm. well said. this app will need some huge following though and supports from many many groups.

perhaps you should add "frequent advertiser" option which can flag advertise who frequently uses Fox network as means of advertisement.

That's a good idea.

Without a doubt it would take a million or more people...if you build it, they will come. I'll do everything I can to spread publicity about the app - I just don't know how to create the app

I originally posted this in the "Android Applications" section, and got chewed out because it was political...they made me post it here!

 

[BringItSon]

That's a good idea.

Without a doubt it would take a million or more people...if you build it, they will come. I'll do everything I can to spread publicity about the app - I just don't know how to create the app

I originally posted this in the "Android Applications" section, and got chewed out because it was political...they made me post it here!

sorry. i am not a programmer.

 

[Crude]

I'm a conservative voter and I see fox news for what it is. You are giving fox news too much influence and sources like MSNBC not enough. They are in the end TV. TV evolves around the ratings. Ratings is money and again we are the money.

I'm baffled how so many reference the 1st amendment but yet try to silence other views.

 

[cds0699]

I'm baffled how so many reference the 1st amendment but yet try to silence other views.

Great statement, thank you.

 

[keale18]

the chasm in journalistic standards between Fox and the rest is not even close. Fox is much closer to the weekly world news than any type of real journalism

 

[keale18]

I'm a conservative voter and I see fox news for what it is. You are giving fox news too much influence and sources like MSNBC not enough. They are in the end TV. TV evolves around the ratings. Ratings is money and again we are the money.

I'm baffled how so many reference the 1st amendment but yet try to silence other views.

Again they can say what they want but lets call it for what it is and its not news or journalism.

 

[OutofDate1980]

Be happy fox news is a cable news channel only and not ota like some of the progressive ones.

Channel 5 in Washington DC is a Fox News channel which is OTA.

 

[Lumiere]

I'm a conservative voter and I see fox news for what it is. You are giving fox news too much influence and sources like MSNBC not enough. They are in the end TV. TV evolves around the ratings. Ratings is money and again we are the money.

I'm baffled how so many reference the 1st amendment but yet try to silence other views.

Bringing up the First Amendment is a great point. No one is saying that legislation should be passed to muzzle dissent. I completely support the right of Fox News (or any group/individual) to say whatever they want, that is absolutely their Constitutional right. HOWEVER, as a consumer, I have the right to do business with whomever I choose. If a company wishes to financially support right-wing propaganda via advertising, and said propaganda actually impacts elections (Fox News MADE the Tea Party what they are today), then I have the right to NOT GIVE MY BUSINESS to that company. Simple.

Few major companies would advertise on Glenn Beck's show because Beck was/is EXTREMELY divisive (much like Rush). A company hitherto, must have no moral objections to the media content to support it with their advertising dollar. Otherwise, they risk a public backlash.

Companies are essentially saying that they have no moral objection to the "news" that Fox is pushing. I'm saying that there are millions of Americans that beg to differ, but do nothing about it. I'm saying, let THEIR voice be heard. Let them decide if they want to give their business to a company that financially supports Fox News. That's economic freedom at its most fundamental...a tenet revered by Fox News itself.

 

[Steven58]

I originally posted this in the "Android Applications" section, and got chewed out because it was political...they made me post it here!

You weren't chewed out. The thread was closed because it should have been in the Post your idea thread as an idea, not as a rant. It was clear from a line in your initial post that you wanted to rant.

Greetings Android community!

Purpose for app + political rant:

This section, not that one, is the place for ranting. I directed you to rant here and post your idea there.

Here is a copy of my post in that thread:

Wrong section. If you're going to suggest an app, stick with the functionality and keep your political views in the Politics and current events section. For someone who just wanted to suggest an app, you certainly gave vent to some heavy duty political leanings. Your rants were edited out.

Bottom line: Don't politically rant in any section but Politics and Current Events or the post will be deleted or the thread locked.

/thread.

So, please get your facts straight. You weren't chewed out, you were directed to post in the right places for you to get the most out of your request and for us to keep the site organized correctly. If we allow everyone with politically inflammatory desires/designs to post everywhere, it would be bedlam. (more bedlam that it already is )

If there was a touch of frustration in my post it was due to the fact that I didn't really believe your following statement:

I'm not here to argue politics...you can agree to disagree with me. I'm posting to try to find developers that can help me.

You said your post was a rant, so it didn't belong there.

Finally, rant away. Just be respectful of others and their opinions and everybody's happy.

Steven

 

[Frisco]

..doesn't this belong in android-applications?

The OP will likely post the idea there, if s/he has not already.

Meanwhile, the political/social aspect of it can be discussed here, as the OP seems to want.

 

[cds0699]

Bringing up the First Amendment is a great point. No one is saying that legislation should be passed to muzzle dissent. I completely support the right of Fox News (or any group/individual) to say whatever they want, that is absolutely their Constitutional right. HOWEVER, as a consumer, I have the right to do business with whomever I choose. If a company wishes to financially support right-wing propaganda via advertising, and said propaganda actually impacts elections (Fox News MADE the Tea Party what they are today), then I have the right to NOT GIVE MY BUSINESS to that company. Simple.

Few major companies would advertise on Glenn Beck's show because Beck was/is EXTREMELY divisive (much like Rush). A company hitherto, must have no moral objections to the media content to support it with their advertising dollar. Otherwise, they risk a public backlash.

Companies are essentially saying that they have no moral objection to the "news" that Fox is pushing. I'm saying that there are millions of Americans that beg to differ, but do nothing about it. I'm saying, let THEIR voice be heard. Let them decide if they want to give their business to a company that financially supports Fox News. That's economic freedom at its most fundamental...a tenet revered by Fox News itself.

2 Things:

Blue: On one hand you state "I completely support the right of Fox news to say whatever they want", but yet you're trying to get an app created, and supported by millions.... so YES, you are trying to silence them by actively trying to influence other people into doing what is on your agenda rather then letting them decide for themselves whether to support Fox news or not.

Red: You are absolutely correct, you do have the right to do business with whomever you wish, but as stated you're trying to influence others into "boycotting Fox news", which is attempting to punish their company for whatever views they have, which is trying to take away their rights.

 

[robertj298]

the chasm in journalistic standards between Fox and the rest is not even close. Fox is much closer to the weekly world news than any type of real journalism

What koolaid have you been drinking? LOL

 

[Tommy78]

Dems are great, aren't they? Same old story, if they don't agree with you, they just want to shut you up and make you go away and do anything in their power to stop anything you have to say. I actually made a few posts pointing this out in other threads and they were removed.

 

[robertj298]

And I happen to believe Fox news is the only news channel that gives the conservative side of things... So if you do call yourself moderate (yeah right!), you should probably make a similar app for MSNBC, ABC, CNN, CBS to tell people what advertisers are on left biased media. Sorry, but you just jumped Fox hate bandwagon because you don't agree with them, you think they should be destroyed because of that? Sorry, normal independent minded people don't wish for things like that.

Fox news is not a news channel it is a right wing propaganda channel bought and paid for by the rich. No matter what the current president does they are critical and oppose it. Osama Bin Laden caught and killed they are critical of it. It doesn't matter if there is something the majority of Americans want if the president wants it Fox news opposes it.They take a few words out of sentences the president makes and put them together to form a whole different meaning such as when Sean Hannity reported the president said " This isn't a Christian nation this is a Muslim nation" which isn't what he said at all

 

[cds0699]

Fox news is not a news channel it is a right wing propaganda channel bought and paid for by the rich. No matter what the current president does they are critical and oppose it. Osama Bin Laden caught and killed they are critical of it. It doesn't matter if there is something the majority of Americans want if the president wants it Fox news opposes it.They take a few words out of sentences the president makes and put them together to form a whole different meaning such as when Sean Hannity reported the president said " This isn't a Christian nation this is a Muslim nation" which isn't what he said at all

@ the bolded: So? Whats the point? Arent Americans given the right to be critical of the government as much as they wish?

I think you guys need to understand that people are not dumb (the vast majority anyway), if they really care enough they'll look into it and decide for themselves what they believe.

 

[Notes_Norton]

Wanna help? Visit Drop Fox on the web.

 

[noah way]

@ the bolded: So? Whats the point? Arent Americans given the right to be critical of the government as much as they wish?

I think you guys need to understand that people are not dumb (the vast majority anyway), if they really care enough they'll look into it and decide for themselves what they believe.

"Propaganda to the home front must create an optimum anxiety level."

"Propaganda must label events and people with distinctive phrases or slogans. "

"If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth."

"The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over."

"The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it."