In a recent report released by watchdog group Media Matters, shocking revelations about Fox News’ coverage preferences have come to light. The report highlights a glaring discrepancy in airtime allocation, with the network spending less than a minute discussing the distressing allegations of child sexual abuse within the Illinois Catholic Church. Meanwhile, Fox News devoted over two hours to fueling the conservative backlash against Target’s Pride merchandise.
Between May 23 and May 30, Fox News reportedly dedicated a staggering two hours, twelve minutes, and thirty-two seconds to incessantly covering the Target backlash. This extensive coverage included multiple correspondents vehemently criticizing the company for purportedly exposing children to LGBTQ+ identities. In stark contrast, a mere 22 seconds were allocated to reporting on a recent investigation that implicated 450 clergy members from the Illinois Catholic Church in the abuse of nearly 2,000 children spanning over seven decades.
The stark contrast in coverage prompted Ari Drennen, the LGBTQ program director for Media Matters, to voice their concerns on Twitter. Drennen called out Fox News correspondents for their hypocritical stance of denigrating LGBTQ+ individuals in the guise of protecting children while conveniently ignoring incidents where children are genuinely in danger. Sharing a chart comparing the airtime devoted to the Catholic Church abuse allegations and the Target backlash, Drennen expressed skepticism regarding the network’s purported commitment to child safety.
Target’s Pride merchandise has become a target of anti-LGBTQ+ vitriol from conservative circles, showcasing a disconcerting trend among right-wing individuals this year. Many conservatives have been visiting Target stores, filming themselves expressing outrage over items such as t-shirts with slogans like “Live, Laugh, Lesbian” and greeting cards celebrating same-sex weddings. Some individuals have gone as far as harassing other customers, questioning whether a t-shirt displaying “Pride Pride Pride” amounts to “pedophilia.”
The situation escalated to the point where a designer who collaborated with Target on several products within this year’s Pride collection faced a barrage of hateful messages on social media, including death threats. Even extremist politicians like Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) joined the outrage, with Boebert publicly declaring her intention to boycott Target, citing woke corporations’ alleged animosity towards conservatives.
It is noteworthy that while Fox News has exhibited a disproportionate focus on the Target backlash, effectively amplifying conservative outrage, they have failed to adequately cover the deeply troubling allegations of child sexual abuse within the Illinois Catholic Church. This disparity in coverage raises important questions about the network’s priorities and its commitment to impartial journalism. As public discourse continues to grapple with these discrepancies, a critical examination of media coverage becomes crucial for ensuring a fair and inclusive society.