By John Amato — March 2, 2006

O'Reilly-FOX Security threatening callers

(O'Reilly threatened radio show caller with "a little visit" from "Fox security" for mentioning Olbermann's name on the air)
(Graphic by Monk)
I posted this yesterday and Media Matters picked it up. They have a full transcript posted of the call. Atrios linked as well.

O'REILLY: There ya go, Mike is -- he's a gone guy. You know, we have his -- we have your phone numbers, by the way. So, if you're listening, Mike, we have your phone number, and we're going to turn it over to Fox security, and you'll be getting a little visit.

O'REILLY: No, Maybe Mike is going to get into big trouble, because we're not going to play around. When you call us, ladies and gentleman, just so you know, we do have your phone number, and if you say anything untoward, obscene, or anything like that, Fox security then will contact your local authorities, and you will be held accountable. Fair?

Olbermann is supposed to respond tonight around 8:30 PM EST

Now from another caller:

"K, I just got a strange message left on my phone:

"Hi, this is Tony (B--y)?, head of security for Fox News. I was wondering if you could give me a call at XXX

Here's another one:

"I got the call on the phone I used to call him from the head of Fox News security. He said that harassing phone calls were coming from my phone. I asked him how many? He did not know. I asked him what was said that was harassing? He said that he did not know but that it did not have to be what was said, but how many calls were being made. He tried to make like I made 20 phone calls instead of one, and that I cursed O'Reilly out. All I said was that I was grateful to O'Reilly for turning me on to Olberman.
Then he hung up."

Clearly O'Reilly is trying to have his goons make a statement, but it's a very foolish move. He can't shut off their mics so he's harassing them when they call.

Another point: If O'Reilly's show is on Westwood One, what the heck does Fox Security have to do with it? And what right would Fox have to be taking legal action?

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