Ruqayyah Snyder
In 2018, rumours circulated on social media that Fox News had been banned in Australia and New Zealand because it was classified as propaganda. However, Snopes found no evidence to support these claims. While neither Australia nor New Zealand guarantees freedom of the press as a constitutional right, there is also no basis in either country's laws for banning a news station outright. In the UK, Fox News was pulled off the air in 2017, but this was due to low viewership and a commercial decision by its parent company, 21st Century Fox, rather than a ban by the communications regulator Ofcom, which had found breaches of impartiality rules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of publication | 26 January 2018 |
| Topic | Fox News ban in Australia and New Zealand |
| Fact | Fox News was not banned in Australia or New Zealand |
| Reasoning | No sources found to corroborate the claim; no precedents for banning specific news organisations in Australia or New Zealand; Fox News available on Foxtel in Australia and Sky Network Television in New Zealand |
| Comparison | UK's communications regulator Ofcom upheld complaints against Fox News but did not ban the channel; Fox News withdrew from the UK in 2017 due to low viewership |
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What You'll Learn
Fox News is available on Foxtel cable in Australia
In Australia, Fox News is available on channel 604 through Foxtel cable. It is also available through Foxtel's streaming service, Foxtel Now, which offers a base pack with over 70 channels, including Fox News, for AU$25 a month.
There were rumors circulating in 2018 that Fox News had been banned in Australia and New Zealand because it was classified as propaganda. However, Snopes found no evidence to support these claims and confirmed with representatives of Foxtel and New Zealand's Sky Network Television that they do carry the channel.
While Fox News has faced issues in other countries, such as the UK, where it was found to be in breach of impartiality rules, there is no indication that it has been banned in Australia. In fact, Fox News Channel HD was launched in Australia through Foxtel in November 2018.
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No evidence of Fox News being banned in Australia
In 2018, Snopes investigated rumours that Fox News had been banned in Australia and New Zealand as "propaganda". However, they found no evidence to support this claim. Representatives of Foxtel, an Australian cable and satellite television company that offers Fox News on channel 604, confirmed that they carry the channel.
While Australia does not guarantee freedom of the press as a constitutional right, the High Court of Australia has ruled it an "implied right" under the country's constitution. Similarly, in New Zealand, freedom of the press is guaranteed by "convention and statute", according to the human rights watchdog group Freedom House.
Although there is no basis in New Zealand law for banning a news station outright, broadcasters are bound by codes that include requirements for accuracy and fairness. The Broadcasting Standards Authority, which deals with broadcasting complaints, has the power to shut down a channel for up to 24 hours, but it has only exercised this power twice in its history.
In the United Kingdom, Fox News did face issues with the country's communications regulator, Ofcom, which had determined that some of the company's programming was in breach of impartiality rules. However, it was the decision of Fox News' parent company, 21st Century Fox, to cease broadcasting in the UK in 2017 due to low viewership.
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Fox News was pulled from the air in the UK in 2017
There were also reports of Fox News breaching broadcasting standards in the UK. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, had upheld several complaints against Fox News for segments or interviews that violated the country's impartiality rules. Specifically, three episodes of Sean Hannity's nightly show were criticized for making "highly critical statements" about Hillary Clinton and for failing to clearly distinguish between advertising and editorial content. However, despite these breaches, Ofcom did not revoke Fox News' broadcasting license or impose any sanctions.
The decision to withdraw from the UK market was made by Fox News themselves, and the channel surrendered its broadcasting license in November 2017. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for Ofcom, who stated that the decision was made by Fox News and not by the regulatory agency.
It is important to note that rumors and misinformation about Fox News being banned in various countries have circulated on social media and other platforms. These claims have been fact-checked and deemed false by organizations like Snopes and USA Today. While Fox News may face criticism and regulatory action in some countries, the decision to pull out of a specific market is often driven by commercial considerations and the company's own strategic priorities.
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Ofcom upheld complaints against Fox News in the UK
Fox News has never been banned in Australia or New Zealand. It is available in both countries on the Foxtel cable and Sky Network Television respectively. However, in 2017, Fox News was pulled off the air in the United Kingdom, where it was available on Sky. This was due to the channel's failure to attract a significant audience in the UK.
In the UK, Ofcom is the regulatory body that oversees broadcasters and ensures they adhere to the country's broadcasting standards. Ofcom has upheld several complaints against Fox News over the years for violating broadcasting standards, specifically regarding impartiality. However, despite these violations, Ofcom never brought sanctions or revoked the broadcasting license of Fox News.
Ofcom's investigations into Fox News centred on two specific broadcasts. The first was an episode of "Hannity" that discussed former US President Donald Trump's controversial executive order restricting travel from several majority-Muslim countries, often referred to as the "Muslim Ban". The second was an episode of "Tucker Carlson Tonight," which aired in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack and included a series of inflammatory and unchallenged allegations against UK politicians and authorities.
Ofcom determined that both programmes breached the "due impartiality" rules expected of news coverage in Britain. The watchdog acknowledged that viewers expected the programmes to offer critical commentary but emphasised the need to present significant alternative viewpoints and treat them with due weight. Despite having the power to fine broadcasters for repeated offences, Ofcom did not impose any financial penalties on Fox News.
It is important to note that the decision to withdraw Fox News from the UK market was made by its parent company, 21st Century Fox, and not as a direct result of Ofcom's findings. Additionally, while Fox News may have faced regulatory scrutiny in the UK, it was not banned, and the company has since launched a new streaming service, Fox News International, accessible to UK audiences outside of Ofcom's jurisdiction.
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Fox News is not banned in New Zealand
In late January 2018, a social media rumor claimed that Fox News was banned in New Zealand after being deemed "propaganda". However, Snopes found no evidence to support these claims. They were unable to confirm that Fox News had been classified as "propaganda" by New Zealand officials or that there were any precedents for banning specific news organizations on those grounds.
Newshub, a New Zealand-based news organization, also addressed the rumor in an article published on January 27, 2018, stating that the claim was erroneous. They noted that Fox News was still available on Sky Network Television, a New Zealand TV provider.
Furthermore, Ursula Cheer, a New Zealand law professor specializing in censorship and media issues, confirmed that there is no legal basis for banning a news station outright in New Zealand. While broadcasters must adhere to codes that ensure accuracy, fairness, and non-discrimination, the Broadcasting Standards Authority, which handles broadcasting complaints, has never banned a channel.
Therefore, it is clear that Fox News is not banned in New Zealand, and the claims circulating on social media are false.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia did not ban Fox News. Australia's Foxtel cable and satellite television company offers Fox News on channel 604.
No, New Zealand did not ban Fox News. New Zealand's Sky Network Television offers Fox News on channel 088.
No, the UK did not ban Fox News. However, Fox News withdrew from the UK in 2017 due to low viewership.
Yes, Ofcom upheld several complaints against Fox News for violating broadcasting standards between 2012 and 2017.
No, Ofcom did not revoke their broadcasting license or impose any sanctions on Fox News.
