White House Calls on Fox News to Retract False FBI Informant Claims

In a recent development reported exclusively by CNN, the White House has taken formal action against Fox News, urging the network to retract its coverage of bribery and corruption allegations leveled against President Joe Biden. The move comes after revelations that the purported source of these allegations, former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, has been charged by federal authorities for allegedly fabricating the story.

Ian Sams, a prominent spokesperson for the White House, addressed the letter to Fox News executives, including Chief Executive Suzanne Scott, President Jay Wallace, and Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton. Sams highlighted the lack of corrective action taken by Fox News despite the serious credibility issues surrounding the bribery claims since Smirnov’s indictment.

Read also: Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems have reached settlement in a defamation case

This letter marks another instance of the Biden administration’s increasingly assertive stance towards what it perceives as biased or unfair media coverage, particularly in the lead-up to the November election. Previously, the White House had expressed concerns over Fox News’ reporting on issues such as Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of classified material.

Fox News, known for its conservative leanings, has been a platform for promoting allegations of corruption against what they dub the “Biden crime family.” These claims have not only permeated conservative media but have also led to investigations by Republican-led probes in Congress and even fueled an impeachment inquiry against the sitting president.

Despite Smirnov’s indictment and revelations regarding Russian involvement in fabricating the smear, Fox News hosts like Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters have failed to retract their narratives. Hannity, a prominent figure in the network’s lineup, continued to propagate the corruption allegations, albeit with a mention of Smirnov’s charges, which he spun to deflect criticism towards the media. Watters went even further, suggesting a deeper conspiracy involving Biden’s alleged retaliation against Smirnov.

Moreover, Fox News’ digital platform has neglected to update articles that originally surfaced Smirnov’s false claims. Reporter Brooke Singman’s pieces, which initially advanced the bribery allegations, remain unaltered, lacking corrections or acknowledgments of Smirnov’s indictment.

Critics argue that responsible news organizations should not exhibit such behavior. Even before Smirnov’s charges, credible newsrooms regarded the bribery allegations with skepticism. However, Fox News has been accused of perpetuating disinformation and conspiracy theories that align with its conservative audience’s worldview. This is exemplified by the network’s recent $787.5 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over false claims made during the 2020 election.

Read also: Jane Martison commented Fox News settlement with Dominion

In response to the White House’s request for corrective action, Fox News has reportedly declined to retract or correct its reporting. The network provided a statement to CNN, sidestepping the White House’s concerns and emphasizing its commitment to reporting on ongoing developments in various investigations.

As the standoff between the White House and Fox News continues, questions regarding journalistic integrity and the responsibilities of media outlets in disseminating accurate information remain at the forefront. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between the government and the media in shaping public discourse and accountability in reporting.