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Join NowMoveOn Launches “Bought and Paid For” Initiative to Target Brands Funding Fox News’ Extremism With Their Advertising Dollars
Washington – Today, MoveOn launched a new initiative in its Stop Funding Fox campaign to spotlight and tarnish the companies that are still inexplicably advertising on Fox News. As part of the rollout of “Bought and Paid For,” the group released a shocking video highlighting an appalling segment on Fox News from May 22, where host Greg Gutfeld applauds a high school teacher charged with engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old student (full transcript here). The video reminds consumers that the reprehensible and inappropriate commentary is bought and paid for by the likes of AT&T, GM, and Subway, three of the few remaining national brands that continue to advertise on Fox News.
APPALLING: Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld celebrates & defends a teacher who had sex with a minor.
Bought and paid for by @SUBWAY, @GM & @ATT through their ads on Fox. pic.twitter.com/mjhKOVpQqP
— MoveOn (@MoveOn) June 1, 2023
“Tucker Carlson may be gone, but Fox News’ heinous coverage and dangerous lies continue,” said MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting. “A Fox News segment condoning and cheerleading inappropriate sexual relationships between teachers and underage students should be the final straw for any respectable advertisers. AT&T, Subway, and General Motors need to drop ties with Fox immediately or go on the record to explain why they’re comfortable with such toxic programming. Every dollar that these corporations and others give to Fox News funds its extreme rhetoric, bigotry, disinformation, and conspiracy theories.”
Pressure is building on these companies to quit their ties to Fox News in the wake of the humiliating Dominion lawsuit exposing the network’s fraudulent coverage. Recent polling found that two-thirds of Americans believe Fox News divides Americans and puts a political agenda and profits ahead of getting the story right.
“Bought and Paid For” escalates the latest wave of Stop Funding Fox campaigning by MoveOn to discourage any current or prospective companies from advertising on—and therefore subsidizing—the right-wing propaganda outlet. In mid-May, MoveOn members staged a series of actions against Fox News and its advertisers. The group held actions and sponsored mobile billboards outside of Subway, AT&T, and GM’s respective headquarters, as well as an action in New York City to protest Fox’s upfront presentation the media company held to lure in advertisers. In concert with the actions, MoveOn also released a digital ad targeted to Subway, GM, and AT&T customers to shame the companies for funding and fueling Fox News’ dangerous lies.
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MoveOn is a people-powered force for progress. MoveOn mobilizes the left to elect Democrats and enact progressive change. We are the homebase for millions of members who refuse to accept the status quo and are moved to take action. For more than a generation, MoveOn has been a bulwark against the radical right, channeling our voices to end wars, protect democracy, and advance justice for all.