Book SummaryHoax, by Brian Stelter

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Hoax

The broadcasting network known as Fox News evolved to exhibit a clear bias in its political coverage.

The author navigates us through the evolution of a media entity that started as an impartial alternative to what it considered the "liberal media," but has since evolved into a powerful proponent of conservative communication. Stelter suggests that the shift was fueled by political aspirations, in addition to exploiting the concerns of conservative audiences, and an intention to broaden their audience base.

Fox News was founded on the principle of delivering news coverage that is "fair and balanced," setting itself apart from other outlets frequently perceived as having a left-leaning slant.

Stelter narrates the founding of Fox News in 1996, which was spearheaded by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and saw the appointment of Roger Ailes, a strategist with a Republican political background, as its chief. Ailes was unwavering in his mission to create a television network that would serve as a counterweight to the left-leaning bias he and many conservatives perceived in the dominant media outlets. Fox News carved out a distinctive niche by offering a perspective overlooked by the predominant news media.

Ailes assembled a team initially from NBC, initiating a strategy that leaned conservative.

Ailes managed to convince a number of former NBC colleagues to come aboard the emerging network, leading to a pattern of departures that concerned NBC's executives. In its initial phase, Fox News had not yet transformed into the entity with clear biases that it would ultimately become known for. Stelter highlights the emphasis Ailes placed on skewing news coverage to favor conservative viewpoints. The network aired a diverse range of shows covering topics from health and travel to religion, as well as features about pets, thereby extending its programming far beyond traditional news topics. The approach was designed to expand the network's viewership and solidify its reputation as a dependable source of information, as noted by Stelter.

Fox News shifted its stance, embracing a conservative tilt similar to the transformation observed in talk radio during Obama's presidency.

Stelter suggests that following Obama's election victory in 2008, Fox News entrenched itself more firmly in right-wing ideologies and amplified its partisan slant. The ascent of an African American to the presidency and the prevailing control of Congress by the Democrats ignited unrest and dissatisfaction among right-leaning constituents. The network harnessed these feelings by emulating the style of conservative talk shows, which emphasized outrage, a feeling of political persecution, and a contemptuous attitude...

Hoax Summary The symbiotic relationship that strengthened both Donald Trump and the Fox News network.

Stelter argues that the relationship between Donald Trump and Fox News serves to bolster and magnify their respective positions. Trump's rise to political prominence can be traced back to his early appearances on Fox News, and his presidency was profoundly shaped by the network's programming and the hosts' influence. In return for its support, Fox secured unparalleled entry to the influential corridors of the White House and achieved maximum viewership, solidifying its status as the dominant news outlet for conservative viewers.

His consistent Monday morning appearances on "Fox & Friends" were instrumental in strengthening his connection with conservative followers and shaping his political image in the public eye.

Stelter emphasizes the symbiotic relationship that developed when a 2011 segment called "Monday Mornings with Trump" began airing on Fox & Friends. The segment aired weekly, offering Trump a platform to spread his theories about Obama's birthplace, lambast his political opponents, and forge a direct connection with his conservative base. Through these impromptu telephone conversations, Trump honed his messaging tactics, gauged the reactions of the public, and...

Hoax Summary The growing interdependence between Fox News and Trump has significantly eroded the trust in democratic institutions and the dissemination of accurate information.

Stelter suggests that the intertwined relationship between Fox News and Trump severely eroded the bedrock of American democratic values and the trustworthiness of journalistic practices, resulting in weakened institutional faith and a more frequent spread of misinformation. The commander-in-chief, in conjunction with his compatriots at Fox News, persistently undermined the credibility of established journalism by labeling it as "fake news," thereby crafting an altered perception of reality where truth appeared malleable and trust was exclusively reserved for individuals who parroted the narrative set forth by the president. Stelter contends that this widespread skepticism left the nation susceptible to influence and eroded the common basis of knowledge essential for a functioning democracy.

Trump's co-opting of the phrase "fake news" and its subsequent impact on the trustworthiness of established news organizations.

Stelter meticulously outlines how Trump redefined the phrase "fake news," which was originally associated with entirely fabricated stories on social media platforms, into a sweeping critique of any journalistic work that did not align with his own viewpoint. The...

Hoax Summary The erosion of ethical and moral values at Fox News and its subsequent impact on societal norms.

Stelter suggested that Fox News' unwavering support for Trump indicated a deterioration in the channel's ethical and moral principles, which had profound implications for the structure of American society. The network's focus on financial gain at the expense of ethical standards, along with its readiness to indulge the detrimental tendencies of the president and spread his falsehoods, eroded the quality of public conversation. Stelter argues that such an atmosphere heightened tensions and deepened divisions within society, exacerbating political and societal rifts among various groups.

The network's downplaying of the severity and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health.

Brian Stelter documents how Fox News downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting Trump's casual approach and prioritizing political rhetoric over rigorous reporting. The commentators and presenters not only dismissed concerns about the virus but also alleged that Democrats were leveraging the situation to their political advantage. Stelter argues that this misinformation led a significant number of people to downplay the severity of the health crisis, contributing to its wider...

Hoax Summary The disintegration of the alliance after the results of the 2020 election were announced.

Stelter documents the deterioration of the relationship between Fox News and Trump following the 2020 election, highlighted by the channel's premature announcement that Arizona had gone to Biden, signaling that the president was nearing a loss. The prediction of election outcomes prompted a notable change in loyalty among Trump's backers, who began favoring channels like Newsmax and One America News for their unwavering right-wing viewpoints. The channel faced challenges with declining audience numbers and internal conflicts, as it tried to balance the demands of a progressively more radical audience against the realities of President Biden's administration.

The declaration from the organization responsible for overseeing election results, confirming Biden's victory in Arizona, was met with resistance from Trump and his supporters.

Stelter details the moment when Fox News' decision desk projected Biden's victory in Arizona on Election Night, a projection considered premature by the Trump campaign and deemed a betrayal by many Fox viewers. Trump and his supporters applied significant pressure to Fox, demanding the retraction of the projection, which led to a heated dispute...