Attacking the Fox News Channel is a favorite hobby horse of the progressive movement. So when Missouri Republican Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin made his controversial remark Sunday about so-called “legitimate rape,” it was only a matter of time before left-wingers sought to exploit the controversy to score points against Fox.
In a Monday post by Igor Volsky at the Center for American Progress’ “ThinkProgress” blog, Volsky claimed Fox News had instituted “a virtual blackout” of Akin’s foot-in-mouth moment.
“Fox News is following its well established pattern of underreporting stories that don’t appeal to its conservative base, instituting a virtual blackout of Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-MO) controversial — and widely condemned — comments about “legitimate rape,” Volsky wrote.
Volsky examined a narrow window of coverage of Monday, from 6 a.m. through 12 p.m. that day, and claimed the episode was only mentioned once — while CNN and MSNBC led the way, with MSNBC making more than 20 references in just a six-hour period.
Volsky’s post caught a lot of attention in the so-called Twittersphere after the organization promoted it with it’s Twitter account. But a closer review of the broadcast of Fox News shows at least four mentions of the controversy within Volsky’s time parameters:
Breakdown of FNC coverage on Todd Akin yesterday
9 a.m.
- Mentioned with Fox News contributor Karl Rove
- Akin mentioned twice
- Lower-third banner also had it
10 a.m.
- Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan in New Hampshire from 10:45 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. where it was mentioned
11 a.m.
- Same as 10 a.m.
The cable news channel’s coverage continued throughout the day, and was criticized by the likes of ThinkProgress’ sister organization, Media Matters for America. (RELATED: TheDC’s complete coverage of Media Matters)
12 p.m.
- Akin’s comments covered and played on video
- Akin’s name mentioned five times overall, including read statements by Claire McCaskill and Mitt Romney
1 p.m.
- Covered as part of Obama’s press conference — president was asked about it
- Akin mentioned once by name
2 p.m.
- In news coverage
- Akin mentioned by name 3 times — full screen picture used
3 p.m.
- Covered/teased at the top of the show
- Covered a few minutes later — video played. Carl Cameron brought in top report on reactions.
- Akin mentioned by name seven times
5 p.m.
- Covered for 2 minutes and admonished Akin for comments, about 9 minutes into the show
6 p.m.
- Mention from John Roberts filling in for Bret Baier
- Covered the Akin story 6 minutes into the show — just Roberts
- Mentioned again with the panel — Roberts again — about 43 minutes into the show. Discussed for a few minutes. All calling for him to leave the Senate race.
7 p.m.
- Covered extensively 5 minutes into the show — James Rosen covering for Shepard Smith