Fox is still passing off GOP activists as concerned parents
Fox News
regularly features “parents” criticizing the teaching of so-called “critical race theory” in schools, while concealing that those guests are also right-wing political activists. The network uses this coverage to
try to help the Republican Party weaponize the issue to win elections in
Virginia and
elsewhere. On Wednesday,
America’s Newsroom, Fox’s “straight news” morning show, did it again, highlighting three such individuals, each described only as “Fairfax County Parent.”
“Tempers flaring, Fairfax County, Virginia,” co-anchor Bill Hemmer said at the top of the segment. “Defending the right to speak out about what is taught in their kids’ schools. Have a listen.” Hemmer’s framing aligns with
recent messaging from Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, who is campaigning against “critical race theory” even though
Virginia education officials say that legal framework for discussing race isn’t taught in its schools.
Fox then aired three clips of interviews with individuals who were identified with on-screen text as “Fairfax County Parent.” One is a former Trump administration official; one is a surrogate for Youngkin; and one is the founder of an organization that is suing the Fairfax school district.
