Fox News slaps Media Matters with cease and desist letter over 'FOXLEAKS'

Bradley Cortright
Independent Journal Review
Sat, 06 May 2023 18:37 UTC

© Bill Grueskin/Twitter

Fox News is seeking to prevent further releases of off-air videos of its former host Tucker Carlson.

In a letter to Media Matters for America president Angelo Carusone, a lawyer for Fox News wrote, "We write on behalf of FOX Corporation to clarify any misunderstandings Media Matters may have had regarding previously unaired footage that Media Matters has published in a series of articles headlined 'FOXLEAKS.'"

"That unaired footage is FOX's confidential intellectual property; FOX did not consent to its distribution or publication; and FOX does not consent to its further distribution or publication. This proprietary material was given to you without FOX's authorization," it continued.

Finally, the letter stated, "FOX demands that Media Matters cease and desist from distribution, publication, and misuse of Fox's misappropriated proprietary footage, which you are now on notice was unlawfully obtained. We reserve all rights and remedies."

Check out the letter below:

The letter comes nearly two weeks after Fox News shared the news it would "part ways" with Carlson.

In the wake of his ouster, Media Matter released a series of videos of Carlson off-air which it labeled "FOXLEAKS."

The videos appear to come from a satellite feed while his program was not on the air.

One video showed the former host seeming to discuss a 10-hour deposition he gave. In the midst of expressing his frustration, Carlson was seen thanking his staff and wishing them a good weekend.

Former Fox News host and journalist Megyn Kelly has suggested these clips are being leaked by executives at the network to hurt Carlson's image so he cannot work at another network.

Kelly shared Fox News' letter on Twitter and wrote, "Pro tip: you might want to look inside the org to stop the allegedly horrifying leaks before threatening those who are publishing them."

"Oh and also you don't mind the leaks you are clearly behind them. K bye!" she insisted.

Bradley Cortright is a Senior Writer for the Independent Journal Review

Comment: The Western Journal comments:

... [I]n light of an effort to paint him as a bad boss, engaged in "systemic lying, bullying, and conspiracy-mongering," according to an NPR quote of a lawyer for former Carlson producer Abby Grossberg, who is suing Carlson for sexism and harassment.

In the video, as Carlson is venting about his experience with the Dominion lawyer, each time a staffer helps Carlson with something, as in aiding him disengage from the set as they probably have done hundreds of times, Carlson interjects into his rant a thank-you for each helping action and includes the person's name.

Says Carlson, grousing about the lawyer: "...That slimy little m*********er sitting across from me — oh [as a female assistant hands him a cloth to wipe off his makeup] You're the best."

Making a mock grimace toward the assistant: "And I wasn't talking about you. It's just the opposite."

"You're gonna give me a complex," the off-camera woman joked.

"No, I'm not," Carlson responded, as the grimace melts into a slight smile. "Cause you've never been this affirmed in your life?"

His face covered as he is wiping off makeup and apparently still speaking to the same assistant, Carlson said: "Thank you, Alex. Have a happy weekend."

As he's aided by more staffers, Carlson continued his rant: "It was so unhealthy, the hate — thank you, Theresa — the hate that I felt for that — thank you, Todd."

And so it went, discussing with an off-camera man, Carlson expressing his attitude toward the lawyer and trying to squelch his own feelings of hatred.

[...]

Attempting an attack, Media Matters shows a video of Carlson expressing hostility and vulgarity.

But the video also shows a man who, except for the choice of words, seems very similar to the personality we see on television.

He is kind, he is animated (even in the Media Matters video launching into that goofy giggle he has), and despite recounting a terrible professional experience and his attempts to control his emotions over it, he personally remembers to express gratitude for each relatively minute, repetitive action taken for him.

It's no wonder affection and respect for Tucker Carlson are increasing in his absence.

His fans old and new are gaining an appreciation that he is the real deal.

And he is missed.