Fox News Mostly Ignores Josh Duggar’s Molestation Story

[wvit1001]

Readers Disgustingly Defend His Actions.



Aside from the vile nature of the incidents themselves and the fact that they involved “celebrities,” the reason this story made so many headlines is because the Duggar family is well-known for their anti-gay advocacy. In fact, Josh Duggar was working for the Family Research Council, a lobbying group that’s largely focused on opposing gay rights (he resigned Thursday), and in the past has said that homosexuals are dangerous to children.


Oh, the irony.

Not only that, but this ridiculous family has said that this whole situation brought them closer to God. No, that’s not satire – they really said that.

Well, after scrolling and scrolling down their Twitter feed I finally found where they had mentioned this story - once. Which just so happened to be the exact amount of tweets they sent out regarding the status of the Olsen twins potentially appearing in Fuller House, the Netflix followup to the popular 90′s show Full House.

But then it got even worse. I decided to check out a couple of the comments on the Fox News post about Duggar only to find people defending him. In fact, the top two “most liked” comments about the story at the time of this publication were both people defending his behavior:

https://www.facebook.com/FoxNews/posts/10153279780676336


Amazing, isn’t it? This really shows the true “values” of many of these so-called “Christian” conservatives – defending somebody who allegedly molested some of his sisters and possibly others.

[DaBoz]

The press is ignoring Billary also, Haven't you noticed.

[wvit1001]

No, I hadn't noticed them ignoring the Clintons at all boz.

as a matter of fact their top news stories today were about the Clinton Foundation.

[bhsgrad1972]

Fox is NOT "ignoring" this story.  This is on foxnews.com right now:

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/05/21/josh-duggar-resigns-from-family-research-council/?intcmp=features

Josh Duggar resigns from Family Research Council after sexual abuse allegations



Josh Duggar, of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," resigned his position at the Family Research Council Thursday after reports surfaced that he allegedly sexually assaulted four female siblings in the large family, plus an additional female victim.



The 2006 police report obtained by In Touch Weekly magazine revealed that one of the Duggar siblings, who In Touch Weekly identified as Josh Duggar allegedly committed the assaults.
   
         


   
   

The incidents date back to 2002 when Duggar would have been 14 years old. In the 33-page police report that FOX411 viewed, the name of the Duggar family members in question are redacted throughout.



Several members of the Duggar family were interviewed by police, as detailed in the report, and they confirmed the incidents, but all the victims said they felt safe at their home, and that no incidents had occurred since Josh returned from the "training center."



They said the incidents brought the family closer to God and that their brother had been forgiven.



He and his parents both issued statements on the matter Thursday.



"Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives. When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before," Jim Bob and Michelle said in a statement to People Magazine.

"Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family," the statement read.



"I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions," Josh said in a separate statement released by People, "I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God's grace, mercy and redemption."
More at link above.

[bhsgrad1972]

Seems to me that Fox News is on top of this, as this story is also on foxnews.com right now:

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/05/22/does-discoverytlc-have-child-molester-problem/?intcmp=features

Does Discovery/TLC have a child molester problem?


A damning police report hit the web on Thursday that alleged that one of the Duggar siblings had been molesting some of the other children in the large family, which is now the focus of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting.”



Late Thursday, Josh Duggar, now 27, spoke out about reports he inappropriately touched four of his sisters and another female non-family member back in 2002.
   
         


   
   

"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," he stated.



The alleged sexual abuse reportedly first came to light in 2006 when Harpo Communications contacted the Department of Human Services Hotline about the Duggar rumors, which Harpo had been informed of by an anonymous tipster ahead of the Duggars’ scheduled appearance on “Oprah.”



When reached by FOX411, TLC declined to comment on whether or not the network had ever received a similar tip regarding the Duggars.



This isn’t the first time Discovery Communications has had to deal with a reality star scandal. Discovery Communications—which includes channels like TLC, The Discovery Channel, OWN and Animal Planet— has had similar accusations affect several of its shows.

• TLC’s “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” was shut down after photos surfaced that showed star Mama June spending time with an ex-boyfriend who served time for molesting her daughter.
[/I]

• Discovery Channel’s “Sons of Guns” was cancelled when star Will Hayden was arrested for aggravated rape of a minor, who family members have publicly identified as his own daughter. Later, his older daughter and former costar Stephanie Ford claimed her father had molested her when she was younger as well.
[/I]

• A mother who appeared on TLC's "Cheer Perfection” pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree sexual assault and engaging a child in sexually explicit conduct. Andrea Clevenger received two 10-year prison sentences and two 10-year suspended sentences for her sexual encounters with a 13-year-old boy. The show was canceled shortly after her arrest. 
[/I]

• A former “Cake Boss” cast member, star Buddy Valastro’s brother-in-law, is currently serving nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in New Jersey. In Jan. 2015, TLC announced “Cake Boss” had been renewed for at least two more seasons.

Discovery Communications did not respond to FOX411’s inquiries regarding the vetting process their reality stars go through. The network has also stayed mum on whether or not "19 Kids and Counting" will see any repercussions. A scheduled marathon of "19 Kids and Counting" aired Thursday night.


Public Relations Specialist Ryan McCormick cautioned that the situation could worsen for the network if it turns out someone at TLC was aware of the Duggar allegations before the show was put on the air.



“If it does come out that TLC was aware of this, they are going to have a major issue on their hands.”

[sweetwater5s9]

The parents handled their minor aged son appropriately with therapy both for him and those affected.  They notified the authorities but at 14 and a minor no crime was committed.   14 year old boys are curious about girls and vice-verse with young females.   If only more youths would admit to their shortcomings and take the appropriate steps to rectify them before adulthood as in this case. 


May 21, 2015, 8:50 PM ET
By MICHAEL ROTHMAN
via Good Morning America


Josh Duggar was investigated in 2006 for alleged misconduct when he was 14 years old.

Josh admitted, "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. ... I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged."

Josh, now 27 but 14 at the time of the first alleged incident, admitted he told his father of his actions.

"I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life," he said.

Josh's wife Anna, 26, has also released a statement to People, saying she knew about Josh's actions before they were married, adding that he received counseling after the incidents, which "changed his life."

"I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock," she told the magazine. "When my family and I first visited the Duggar home, Josh shared his past teenage mistakes."

Anna added that she was surprised by Josh's "openness and humility" in admitting this.

A representative for TLC, the network behind the Duggars' show "19 Kids and Counting," referred a request by ABC News for comment to the Duggars' personal representative. That person did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/josh-duggar-responds-calls-inexcusable-actions-teenager/story?id=31220027