Anti-Fox film gets cinema release

Robert Greenwald directed Outfoxed

A controversial documentary accusing Fox News of political bias is to be shown in US cinemas, following the success of its DVD release.

Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism will play at a number of screens across the US from Thursday.

The documentary, which attacks the notion of Fox's slogan "fair and balanced", has itself been criticised for being one-sided.

The DVD has become one of the biggest sellers on the Amazon retail website.

The film, directed by Robert Greenwald, has also been screened during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, and by other political organisations.

It accuses Fox News of a right-wing bias, as well as raising the dangers of large corporations running news outlets, alleging public information could be controlled.

Its popularity follows on from the success of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, which also divided opinion.

Free admission

The apparent thirst for political films saw Cinema Libre Distribution pick up the option to distribute Outfoxed to cinemas in the US.

"I am amazed at the response to Outfoxed all across the country," said Greenwald.

He has even offered free admission to anyone working for Fox "who wishes to see an accurate and truthful assessment of the Fox News Network".

But there is concern about the legal implications of the film because of its heavy use of unauthorised clips from Fox News, reports Screendaily.

The documentary-makers believe use of the unauthorised clips is covered by a "fair use" exception laid out in the First Amendment, but their claim has yet to be tested in the courts.