Groups complain about Fox slogan to FTC

Fox News’ use of the slogan “Fair and Balanced” constitutes deceptive advertising, two political advocacy groups claim in a petition filed with the Federal Trade Commission.

Liberal MoveOn.org and historically nonpartisan Common Cause asserted Monday that Fox News’ reports are “deliberately and consistently distorted and twisted to promote the Republican Party of the U.S. and an extreme right-wing viewpoint.”

Alleging consumer fraud, the complaint calls for the FTC to order Fox News, consistently the highest-rated cable news network, to cease and desist from using the slogan.

After a press conference announcing the petition, members of MoveOn.org and Common Cause marched to the Fox News Headquarters to hand out DVDs of the new documentary “Outfoxed,” which alleges a pattern of right-wing biases in the network’s reporting. The documentary is “Exhibit A” in the FTC petition.

“While this is clearly a transparent publicity stunt, we recognize all forms of free speech and wish them well,” said Irena Briganti, a Fox News spokeswoman,

In a statement, FTC Chairman Timothy J. Muris indicated the petition has little chance.

“I am not aware of any instance in which the Federal Trade Commission has investigated the slogan of a news organization,” Muris said.

“There is no way to evaluate this petition without evaluating the content of the news at issue. That is a task the First Amendment leaves to the American people, not a government agency.”