Dennis Hammett
In May 2017, an internal email revealed that all television monitors at the US Food and Drug Administration's White Oak campus in Maryland were set to exclusively display the Fox News channel. The email stated that this was at the request of Trump administration officials. However, the FDA denied issuing any directive to its employees about broadcast news channels, and an FDA spokesperson said that campus television monitors display a variety of news shows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd May 2017 |
| Location | FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) |
| Campus Name | White Oak |
| Previous Channel | CNN |
| New Channel | Fox News |
| Reason for Change | Request from Trump administration officials |
| Possibility to Change Back | Unable to change any of the monitors to any other news source at this time |
What You'll Learn
The Trump administration was behind the switch to Fox News
On May 3, 2017, an internal email was sent to employees of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at its White Oak campus in Maryland. The email stated that all television monitors at the facility were set to exclusively display the Fox News channel at the request of "administration administrative officials." While the FDA denied that an official directive was given, the internal message from the agency's Office of Facilities appears to confirm that the switch was made at the request of the Trump administration.
The email, which was first tweeted by freelance science reporter Paul Thacker, stated:
> The reason for the change is that a decision from the current administration administrative officials has requested that all monitors, under our control, on the White Oak Campus, display FOX news. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I am unable to change any of the monitors to any other news source at this time.
This incident sparked controversy and raised questions about the influence of the Trump administration on government agencies. It is important to note that the FDA spokesperson denied the existence of a formal directive or memorandum from the administration regarding the change in news channels. However, the internal email suggests that the switch to Fox News was made at the request of Trump administration officials, even if it was not an official directive.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the switch to Fox News did take place, if only temporarily. They noted that the FDA's TV monitors typically have a split screen, with half announcing FDA news and the other half displaying CNN until the hallway monitors were switched to Fox. This incident highlights the tension between the Trump administration and the media, particularly news outlets that were often critical of the former president, such as CNN.
Monitoring Badges: Where to Buy Them
You may want to see also
The FDA denied issuing an order to switch to Fox News
On May 3, 2017, an internal email was sent to employees of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at its White Oak campus in Maryland. The email stated that all television monitors at the facility were set to exclusively display the Fox News channel at the request of unnamed "administration administrative officials."
The internal email was first shared on social media by freelance science reporter Paul Thacker and later by BuzzFeed reporter Julia Reinstein. The email was sent by a customer service representative from the FDA's Office of Facilities in response to concerns expressed by a group of employees.
While the FDA denied the existence of an official directive, it did not rule out the possibility that administration officials made the request verbally or that someone in a position of authority communicated the instructions to employees. According to reports, the switch to Fox News did occur, if only temporarily, as monitors were later switched back to display a variety of news channels.
Monitor Setup for DJI Ronin and 5D Cameras
You may want to see also
The switch was made at the FDA's White Oak campus
On May 3, 2017, an internal email was sent to employees at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's White Oak campus in Maryland, stating that all television monitors were to be switched to exclusively display the Fox News channel. The email was sent by a customer service representative from the FDA's Office of Facilities, and it cited a request from the Trump administration as the reason for the change.
The switch to Fox News was short-lived, as monitors were switched back to display a variety of news channels, including CNN and Fox News, just a few days after the initial change. This change occurred after an image of the internal email was shared on social media, causing a public outcry.
The FDA's White Oak campus is the agency's sprawling central office complex, home to an internal video network that displays time and weather information, agency news, and now, Fox News. The decision to switch to Fox News highlighted the ongoing feud between President Trump and CNN, with the president frequently expressing his preference for Fox News over other news outlets.
Unlocking 144Hz: Maximizing Your ASUS FHD Monitor
You may want to see also
The switch was made in May 2017
On May 3, 2017, an email was sent to researchers at the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) to inform them that all televisions at the White Oak campus in Maryland would be tuned to Fox News. The email was sent by "WO Digital Display" or the FDA's audiovisual department and stated that the decision came from the Trump administration.
The email read:
> The reason for the change is that a decision from the current administration administrative officials has requested that all monitors, under our control, on the White Oak Campus, display FOX news. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I am unable to change any of the monitors to any other news source at this time.
The switch was made public on May 5, 2017, when an internal email was leaked on social media. The FDA denied that there was any directive or memorandum from the administration regarding the change. However, an FDA spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the email.
The switch to Fox News caused a stir, with some FDA doctors and employees expressing their displeasure. By Friday of the same week, some monitors were switched back to displaying CNN.
Blind Spot Monitoring: Nissan Sentra's Safety Feature
You may want to see also
The switch was made in common areas, including hallways and office lounges
In May 2017, an internal email was sent to employees of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at its White Oak facility in Maryland. The email stated that all television monitors at the facility were to be set to exclusively display the Fox News channel. This was reportedly done at the request of the Trump administration.
The internal email was sent in response to concerns expressed by employees. It clearly stated that the change was made at the request of Trump administration officials and could not be reversed "at this time." This suggests that employees were not allowed to change the channels on the TVs in common areas.
The switch to Fox News caused a lot of discussion and controversy. Some people questioned the legality of the decision, while others suggested ways to change the channels or turn off the TVs. There were also concerns about the influence of Fox News on government employees and the potential for state media or propaganda.
Mounting Your MacBook: Enhancing Display with an LCD Monitor
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, TVs at the FDA were switched to Fox News in 2017. An internal email sent to employees at the FDA's White Oak facility in Maryland said that the change was made at the request of Trump administration officials.
The FDA has denied ordering employees to switch television monitors to Fox News. An FDA spokesperson said there was "no directive or memorandum" from the administration about broadcast news channels.
No, the switch was made at the request of Trump administration officials, according to the internal email. The FDA has denied that the administration made such a request.
It's not clear if all the monitors were switched, but the internal email said that "all monitors, under our control, on the White Oak Campus, display FOX news."
