Of all the laziness in today's media, there's nothing lazier than finding "news" on the Internet. CNN is really good at this. They find something on the Intertubes that may generate "controversy" and report it as news. As we Internet connoisseurs know, this is an extremely simple task. You could easily play with Google and find dozens of "controversies" daily.
FoxNews.com did one better today. Not only did they report on an Internet controversy, but one directly lifted from right-wing blogs.
The headline: Missile Defense Agency, Obama Campaign Logos Cause Internet Stir
Yeah, it sounds fishy already.
The Internet is abuzz with comparisons of the "strikingly similar" logos of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the ubiquitous Obama 2008 campaign.
Yes, Fox is reporting on Internet buzz about some logo conspiracy (and gave Drudge an easy pickup in the process). And their source? The Washington Times... blog. The blog post was written by Kerry Picket, former blogger for conservative NewsBusters.org.
But Fox News stops at nothing to be fair and balanced, using comments on right-wing blogs to strengthen its case.
"I'm having trouble seeing past the crescent and star in the new logo," one critic posted on WashingtonTimes.com. "Is this our signal to the muslim world that we're not going to shoot down their missiles?"
Another poster on WeaselZippers.net likened the logo to that of a "corny science fiction movie."
The article goes on to quote a spokesman from the Missile Defense Agency, who (unsurprisingly) dismissed the comparison entirely. The other quote in the article is from a design firm proprietor who managed to acknowledge that the logos look somewhat alike.
I personally can't wait for the next time Fox News reports that "the Internet is abuzz." I can't afford to miss the next Rick Astley or Tay Zonday moment. But since Fox News ignores all of the "buzz" that doesn't harm the Obama Administration, it is clear that Fox News remains committed to balance spreading right-wing propaganda.