Arts & Entertainment
Fox News, Tucker Carlson Stole BLM Protest Video, Journo Says
A journalist says Fox aired his video with a "negative message that was not reflective of the actual events," and without his permission.
NEW YORK CITY — An independent journalist accused Tucker Carlson of stealing his video of a Black Lives Matter protest, which the Fox News pundit argued was proof the movement would mean “never ending terror for you and for your family,” a new lawsuit contends.
California videographer Brian Feinzimer filed suit in Manhattan’s federal court Monday demanding Fox News, headquartered in New York City, hand over all profits earned from his video, records show.
"You stole my work (which I make a living from), used it for a profit and twisted my reporting into a divisive and negative message that was not reflective of the actual events taking place," Feinzimer wrote in a tweet tagged to Carlson and Fox News. "Shame on all of you."
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You stole my work (which I make a living from), used it for a profit and twisted my reporting into a divisive and negative message that was not reflective of the actual events taking place. Shame on all of you.
— Brian Feinzimer (@bfeinzimer) June 4, 2020
A Fox News representative did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.
Feinzimer says he published to Twitter the 17-second video on June 2, one week after the murder of George Floyd sparked protests nationwide, and two days before it appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
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Carlson’s segment — dubbed “Is America being torn apart by a total, complete -- but provable -- lie?” — includes a disturbing introduction:
“Their latest demand is that we eliminate the police entirely. No more law enforcement in this country. That would mean more power for the mob. They could do anything. It would mean never-ending terror for you and for your family. That's why they want it."
He then cuts to Feinzimer’s video, which shows a crowd of what appear to be peaceful protesters chanting “Defund the police” outside L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti’s home.
Feinzimer registered his video with the U.S. Copyright Office and his application became effective as of July 12, according to the suit.
Fox News may be able to argue they used the video in a noncommercial capacity and is therefore protected by Fair Use, but what their response to the lawsuit will be remains unclear.
This is not Fox News' first summons to court this year. The network faces a $1.6 billion lawsuit over its coverage of the 2020 election vote count.
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