Politics

O’Reilly: Media Matters anti-Limbaugh campaign ‘very fascist’

Jeff Poor Media Reporter
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On his Thursday “Talking Points” segment on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” host Bill O’Reilly took aim at the latest Media Matters for America initiative to have conservative talker Rush Limbaugh taken off the air. Nearly a month ago, Limbaugh made some remarks about law student and contraception activist Sandra Fluke.

According to O’Reilly, pressure tactics aimed at Limbaugh are part of the left-wing organization’s effort to censor opposing points of view.

“It used to be that liberals were the most ardent advocates of free speech,” O’Reilly said. “The ACLU is in business to promote speech, or so they say, but now the far left is a primary source of censorship in America. Simply put, they do not want to hear opposing points of view.”

“Enter the vicious Media Matters outfit, which is in business to demonize anyone with whom they disagree. As you may know, Media Matters is heavily funded by far-left zealots like George Soros and they are dishonest to the core. Last week we showed you a clip they used of me analyzing gas prices — only they cut out the part where I criticize Republicans, trying to persuade folks I’m being unfair to President Obama. That … proves beyond any doubt that Media Matters has no integrity whatsoever. Their latest campaign is against Rush Limbaugh. Media Matters is spending about $100,000 to run radio ads targeting stations that carry Mr. Limbaugh.”

O’Reilly played the ad that has been appearing on WLS 890AM in Chicago and other major markets, under the guise of a “community service announcement,” and the subsequent response from Limbaugh spokesman Brian Glicklich.

“Media Matters was somewhat successful in damaging Glenn Beck’s brand although he is prospering right now on the net,” O’Reilly said. “Emboldened by that, they’re going after Limbaugh who is target number one for liberal America. There is something very fascist about all of this: Shut down your opposition. Don’t let them speak. Punish people who support them. In every totalitarian state in the world, that is tactic number one: Silence the opposition.” (RELATED: Full coverage of Media Matters)

O’Reilly reminded viewers of a similar call from the Media Research Center about MSNBC hosts and his plea for them to back off of using that tactic.

“Last week ‘Talking Points’ suggested to the Media Research Center, a conservative group that, they re-think their call for some MSNBC people to be fired,” O’Reilly continued. “The point is the same. Silencing those with whom you disagree does not help the country. The marketplace should handle it. Nobody has to listen to Rush Limbaugh or to MSNBC — and in the latter case, few do. Unless an opinion is violent or slanderous, it should be allowed.”

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