This is an invitation to join me in refusing to allow our space to be invaded by a network that wants to sell out the public interest and lies to accomplish that end. When we listen to television in public, Fox is not a reasonable substitute for actual information.
Happily, most highway hosts you may encounter during your travels want your opinion about their services. I like to make it plain in advance. It is helpful to point out the above, namely that lies are not an acceptable substitute for information.
Occasionally, an unpleasant experience happens, and lower levels of management inflict a public place with a Fox station. A convenient category for complaining about having been forced to listen to Fox network is the "Noise" checkbox on customer satisfaction forms.
It is an insult to U.S. citizens’ intelligence that a network dedicated to selling out the public invades our air space. Most of us do simple things like refuse to listen to Fox network propaganda in our homes. Too often, though, when we go outside our homes we run into lower life forms that have drunk the koolaid and want to spread the poison. In public places, sometimes we encounter subsidized T.V. propaganda, trying to convince us that our government ought to work against public interests.
Something that I have learned from traveling is that when you pay for your space you can, and should, refuse to share it with Fox ‘News.’ The time that I spend having a meal in a dining room, in my cabin on a ship, or in a public room is time I pay for. I will, and often do, insist that being forced to listen to paid political advertising is misuse of my money, and I will not allow it.
A few ways that I have fought against the subsidized lies are by making it known to the management in advance, and after a stay, that I do not tolerate paid advertising by Fox where I spend my time.
A couple of cruise lines are now aware that since only 20% of the public inclines to right wing views, the choice of Fox as a channel for their English speaking passengers limits choice and satisfaction, and inconveniences the greater number of their customers. On Thursday, I got the opportunity to let this fact be known to the central office of the motel chain I choose to visit when I flew out of DFW airport.
I invite you all to join me in letting the hosts you will be paying for space know in advance, or if necessary in retrospect, that you expect them to provide an environment you can enjoy, or at least not despise. Making it a point to communicate in advance has helped me several times.
In order to help your hosts insure your enjoyment of paid use of space, I suggest you let them know that they will find it in their best interests to provide networks that convey information, not rabble-rousing, in public space. Any news network will do. That category doesn’t include Fox.
Thank you for your assistance in clearing the air of noise pollution.



3 Comments







A I gave up tv because I could not get basic cable without Lou Dobbs CNN or Fox News as a basic channel from my cable group.
Given 10% unemployment and more on the way would it not hurt Fox more if everyone including Mexicans were given a choice about what cable channels they paid for including basic cable?
Hey you got kids you need to get cartoons that does not mean you accept or want to pay for Glen Beck just because you got basic cable but never watch him.
I assume Fox gets a percentage regardless lets cut off the percentage lets give Free Markets a chance!
The reason TV is on in restaurants and cruise ships is because they are too cheap to pay ASCAP and BMI royalties for music. TV is free. Frankly it is annoying to go some place for a meal and have TV on period but it is dreadful when it is FOX morons screaming at you. I love this idea. And suspect if the owners realize it is causing a drop in business they will quickly change their tune.
FYI; exchange about Faux news over breakfast.
Ruth,
Our restaurant is leased out from the hotel but if they are in need of a new remote we would be happy to replace it for them. The channels that are on the TVs are not required and is up to the restaurant to choose or the guests might request to be on there. I will definitely be speaking with the restaurant owner and informing them of your concern. I hope that this will not deter you from staying in the future if you happen to be in this area again. Thank you for your response, I greatly appreciate the feedback!
Sincerely,
(name and address of manager were supplied here)
which replied to my email –
Your restaurant staff was very courteous, and tried to turn down or change the channel, but the remote was disabled. Frankly, forcing customers to listen to the Fox channel is really not a good practice for a public place. Since only 20% of the population identifies itself as rightwingers, you are taking a chance your clientele will be annoyed by being denied simple facts over breakfast.
Thank you.
Ruth Calvo