Tucker Carlson out at FOX
Ask students: Who is Tucker Carlson? How does Brian Stelter describe Carlson and his Fox show and what made him so popular?
Fox News abruptly announced Monday that its top-rated primetime host Tucker Carlson is leaving the network. The move comes less than a week after Fox agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems over accusations that its hosts, including Carlson, aired false claims about the 2020 presidential election. Geoff Bennett discussed Fox’s decision with Brian Stelter.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching! You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Five Facts
- Who is Tucker Carlson? How does Brian Stelter describe Carlson and his Fox show and what made him so popular?
- When was Carlson ousted?
- How might Carlson’s departure from Fox News be related to the Dominion lawsuit?
- What types of comments did Carlson make regarding the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol?
- Why is Carlson’s departure drawing so much public attention? What is he known for?
Focus Questions
Why do think Tucker Carlson and his show was so popular with so many Americans? What does this say about America as a country?
News media analysis: Were you surprised to hear Brian Stelter discuss how much influence Carlson had over the Republican Party? What does that tell you about media companies like Fox?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More
What students can do: In a related story, CNN cancelled Don Lemon’s show at the same time Tucker Carlson’s show was cancelled. With a classmate or family member, watch Brian Stelter discuss Lemon’s departure on TYT (a progressive YouTube news show) with Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian.
What do you think is the answer to Uygur’s question to Stelter: What do you think traditional (“establishment”) news executives “want” from their journalists?
(Take a look at the Los Angeles Times’ article if you have time, Tucker Carlson departs Fox News, pushed out by Rupert Murdoch.)
Student Video of the Day
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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