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 For Immediate Release
Dec 1, 1999 Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172


FOX NEWS VIOLATES JOURNALISTIC ETHICS AND AGREEMENT WITH JUDICIAL WATCH

Klayman Had Agreed To Go On O'Reilly To Discuss Libelous Harvey Berkman Hit Piece On Judicial Watch's Form 990, Which Is Posted, Along with Accountants and Legal Reports, on Judicial Watch's Website


(Washington, D.C.) In recent days, using its liberal surrogates in the news media, the Clinton Administration has published articles which libel Judicial Watch and Larry Klayman. In response, Larry Klayman sued two of the reporters which the White House likes and who smear Clinton critics, Harvey Berkman of The National Law Journal and David Segal of The Washington Post. It is known that Segal works with the Clintons' attorneys, Williams and Connolly, and Berkman undoubtedly does as well. The lawsuits which Klayman filed will get into this.

Bill O'Reilly of Fox News asked Larry Klayman to come on his show this evening to discuss the Berkman article about Judicial Watch's Form 990. To avoid damage to Judicial Watch's and Klayman's reputations, they asked Fox News not to discuss the matter until Klayman had appeared. Fox agreed. Because Judicial Watch has nothing to be defensive about, and because it fully discloses its finances in accordance with law, Larry Klayman was happy to go on "The O'Reilly Report." Indeed, Judicial Watch's Form 990, and reports of its accountants and lawyers, are on Judicial Watch's website.

However, contrary to its agreement with Judicial Watch, Fox News broke its word not to discuss the matter until Klayman had a chance to respond. This morning, without notice to Judicial Watch, it ran "promos," with Bill O'Reilly commentating, repeating and republishing the allegations of Harvey Berkman, a Clinton shill. Moreover, the promo is factually incorrect.

In recent weeks, Howard Kurtz, of The Washington Post, reported that Matt Drudge, the conservative icon, had been thrown off the air. Kurtz's column of November 19, 1999, reported that "Fox News Kicks Drudge Out..."

Fox News, which has been under attack in the elite establishment media, and by the Clinton White House, now appears to be reacting to the severe criticism in the elite establishment media of its past reporting about the administration. In recent months, it has hired a bevy of liberals and questionable ex-politicians as commentators, including Geraldine Ferraro, Susan Estrich, and Newt Gingrich, to buttress previous recent hires Eleanor Clift, Ellen Ratner, Alan Colmes, Dick Morris, and Al D'Amato. With the exit of Drudge and Catherine Crier, only Sean Hannity is left to represent true conservative views.

"Judicial Watch believes in fair and balanced reporting as well, and was very happy to come on O'Reilly's show.With the recent dissing of Matt Drudge, the hiring of ultra left commentators or ethically compromised polititians , and now the games being played with Judicial Watch, it is clear that Fox News is now on the run and is heading ‘establishment mainstream left,'" said Larry Klayman, Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel.

Any one who wants to ask Larry Klayman and Tom Fitton questions about Judicial Watch's 990 form, or the Berkman article, or any other questions, call in to Judicial Watch's weekly radio program "The Judicial Watch Report" on Saturday, December 4, 1999, on Radio America between 12:00p.m. -2:00p.m. (EST) at 1-800-510-8255.

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