From WNYC in New York, this is NPR's On the Media. I'm Bob Garfield.

And I'm Brooke Gladstone. You know, most weeks we could say something about Fox News,

like Bill O'Reilly's show stalking critics with camera crews, for example, but usually we don't,

partly because Fox News won't talk to us and partly because, well, it gets boring.

But this week, Fox News crossed the line by actively embracing, some would say co-sponsoring,

some might say co-opting, the tax day anti-tax and government spending tea parties across the country.

Americans outraged over unfair and crippling taxes as they fight for their future.

Glenn Beck's at the Alamo.

Neil Cavuto's live in Sacramento, and Greta is in Washington, D.C.

Can't get to a Tea Party?

Fox Nation hosts a virtual Tea Party, and you can check it out on the site for the location

of a Tea Party in your area.

As Tea Party sweep the nation,

near there with total fair and balanced network coverage.

Was Fox News covering a news event or helping to create one?

That's what Fox News's Neil Cabuto wanted to know.

Young lady, you're here. You don't have to be here.

Tell the truth. Was it the rally or me?

Neil. I am a huge fan of yours.

It was both. Was this a grassroots expression of a widely held frustration or an anti-Obama rally organized by right-wing pundits and politicians? Or both?

The mainstream media, except for Fox News, couldn't quite make up their mind,

being generally leery of rallies and marches, which, after all, are crafted as media events.

...