AUDIO: Prof attacks Fox News, Wall Street Journal ‘a rag of lies’

William Claggett, an associate professor at Florida State, said Fox News is “simply lying” to its viewers.

During his political science class, Claggett also called the Wall Street Journal a “rag of lies.”

Fox News and the Wall Street Journal are “simply lying,” a Florida State University political science professor told his students Monday afternoon.

Dr. William Claggett, an associate professor at FSU, lectured his Public Parties and Campaigns class on party identification when he blamed certain “partisan shows” on providing “rose-colored glasses” for specific parties.

“So you know, when I’m at home clicking through the stations, oh here comes Fox News, the Fox News Channel. Oh, I don’t stop there. I know they’re simply lying, and I keep on going,” Claggett said in an audio recording obtained by Campus Reform. “On the other hand, you know, here comes MSNBC. Well, I’ll stop here for a bit, see what truth I can find out the easy way while I’m reading the New York Times.”

Claggett said that he reads the New York Times, or at least printed out articles, instead of the Wall Street Journal as that publication is a “rag of lies.”

“I don’t read the Wall Street Journal, again, rag of lies, unless I’m interested in reading the CEO of some particular company,” he said.

According to a student in Claggett's class, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution by the professor, Claggett usually makes snide comments about Republicans in his class, including only calling former President Richard Nixon “Dick.”

“There have been a few times where his comments in class have made me feel uncomfortable, but saying Fox News is nothing but lies was a new low,” the student told Campus Reform. “I’m constantly afraid of speaking my mind in class because I know that my views don’t align with his. And ultimately, I think that my education is worth more than being fearful because I don’t agree with a professor.”

There are 46 students registered in FSU’s Public Parties and Campaigns class with Claggett, who according to FSU’s website, is an “expert” on “electoral behavior, political parties, political change in the United States, national election outcomes, voter turnout and long-term changes in electoral support.”

According to a 2013 study from the Pew Research Center, MSNBC by far was the most opinionated cable news network when compared to both Fox News and CNN. The study showed that 85 percent of MSNBC’s shows were commentary compared to just 55 percent of Fox News’ shows.

Claggett did not respond to a request for comment from Campus Reform.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @K_Schallhorn