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A review by bookishmillennial86
Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth by Brian Stelter
informative
sad
3.5
It's an intriguing book that reveals the manipulation at Fox News, spearheaded by Sean Hannity, and the ‘for profit’ mindset at the network. The swift transformation of a conservative news channel, which once held journalistic values, into a platform dominated by Trump advocates and defenders is almost unbelievable. Learning about the extent of their power and influence over the then President Trump, while not always believing the lies & fear mongering they were pushing is truly astonishing. (Although the network shifted to being more "Anti-Democrat" from "Pro-Trump" in more recent years).
The network, along with its audience, exist in an 'alternative reality,' and this book delves into the reasons behind it and the making of that reality. Despite the common belief that everyone at Fox is morally corrupt, there were and are individuals who either departed voluntarily, were ousted, or remain, striving to report the news accurately. It's quite revealing that numerous employees believed they wouldn't secure employment at other news networks due to their loyalty and/or work at Fox News.
Contrary to certain reviews, I don’t view this book as Anti-Trump or a hate piece on Fox News. Although it may display some bias (like almost everything does), it primarily presents an accurate account of what was actually happening - live on air and behind the scenes. There are quotes and stats that can be fact-checked (some of which are shocking). Stelter is not randomly presenting information, unlike some personalities at Fox News who did just that.
Trump's assertion about fake news holds some truth, but what he fails to recognize is that Fake News and Fox News are two sides of the same coin.
The network, along with its audience, exist in an 'alternative reality,' and this book delves into the reasons behind it and the making of that reality. Despite the common belief that everyone at Fox is morally corrupt, there were and are individuals who either departed voluntarily, were ousted, or remain, striving to report the news accurately. It's quite revealing that numerous employees believed they wouldn't secure employment at other news networks due to their loyalty and/or work at Fox News.
Contrary to certain reviews, I don’t view this book as Anti-Trump or a hate piece on Fox News. Although it may display some bias (like almost everything does), it primarily presents an accurate account of what was actually happening - live on air and behind the scenes. There are quotes and stats that can be fact-checked (some of which are shocking). Stelter is not randomly presenting information, unlike some personalities at Fox News who did just that.
Trump's assertion about fake news holds some truth, but what he fails to recognize is that Fake News and Fox News are two sides of the same coin.