VOICES - Chris Wallace stepped down from the network on December 12.
Fox executives routinely pointed to Chris Wallace in defending themselves from criticism that the network is a dangerous propaganda channel. Wallace gave Fox News a thin veneer of respectability; and now, the veneer is gone.
Wallace should have left the channel years ago. His legacy now includes allowing his reputation to be exploited and his presence to enable Fox News’ recent abuses like attacking the 2020 election and intensifying the pandemic with lethal medical misinformation.
Wallace’s departing statement all but validates what many already recognize: that Fox News is not a news operation. Although he avoided explicit critiques of the network, he did give news accolades for the network not interfering with his show. This would be the norm for any news program at a news network. That Wallace felt like this was the best he could say illuminates the way things are done over there.
Wallace’s unceremonious departure puts to rest any lingering notion that the network has a straight news side. Fox executives made it clear that this is Tucker Carlson’s network now. Advertisers, shareholders, and cable news viewers beware: your money and your investment will continue to fuel Fox’s dangerous lies.
(Angela Carusone is President at media Matters for America, a noprofit media watchdog.)
