| | Hannity has also received criticism for his involvement with the Freedom Alliance charity and the associated Freedom Concerts that he has hosted for the [[charity]] since 2003. The concerts are held to raise money to give to severely injured [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. soldiers]] or as scholarships for the children of slain or injured soldiers. Through 2008, less than 20% of revenues raised by the Freedom Alliance have actually gone to these causes (and as low as 3.7% in 2006), according to IRS Form 990 tax data.<ref>Economic Research Institute. Nonprofit Organization Information - Freedom Alliance. http://www.eri-nonprofit-salaries.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=NPO.Form990&EIN=541411430&Year=2009</ref> This was widely reported by [[Debbie Schlussel]], a conservative commentator and [[blog]]ger, and Schlussel has also made corroborated accusations that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by the Freedom Alliance for each concert to accommodate Hannity and his friends and family.<ref>Schlussel, Debbie. "Sean Hannity’s Freedom CONcert Scam: Almost None of Charity’s $ Went to Injured Troops, Kids of Fallen Troops; G5s for Vannity?" March 18, 2010. http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/</ref> Hannity has been accused of taking advantage of the charitable nature of conservative, patriotic Americans. | | Hannity has also received criticism for his involvement with the Freedom Alliance charity and the associated Freedom Concerts that he has hosted for the [[charity]] since 2003. The concerts are held to raise money to give to severely injured [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. soldiers]] or as scholarships for the children of slain or injured soldiers. Through 2008, less than 20% of revenues raised by the Freedom Alliance have actually gone to these causes (and as low as 3.7% in 2006), according to IRS Form 990 tax data.<ref>Economic Research Institute. Nonprofit Organization Information - Freedom Alliance. http://www.eri-nonprofit-salaries.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=NPO.Form990&EIN=541411430&Year=2009</ref> This was widely reported by [[Debbie Schlussel]], a conservative commentator and [[blog]]ger, and Schlussel has also made corroborated accusations that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by the Freedom Alliance for each concert to accommodate Hannity and his friends and family.<ref>Schlussel, Debbie. "Sean Hannity’s Freedom CONcert Scam: Almost None of Charity’s $ Went to Injured Troops, Kids of Fallen Troops; G5s for Vannity?" March 18, 2010. http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/</ref> Hannity has been accused of taking advantage of the charitable nature of conservative, patriotic Americans. |
| − | In May 2017, Fox News published and then retracted a story about the [[murder of Seth Rich]]. Hannity did not retract anything he stated, noting the fact that liberals and Democrats themselves widely accepted and circulated [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]], most notably those regarding alleged Russian interference in the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]].<ref>Concha, Joe (May 23, 2017). [http://thehill.com/homenews/media/334825-hannity-on-seth-rich-coverage-i-retracted-nothing Hannity on Seth Rich coverage: ‘I retracted nothing’]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Because of Hannity's decision, liberal advertisers chose to pressure and bully him by pulling out their ads from his show.<ref>Kew, Ben (May 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/24/advertisers-bow-to-activist-left-begin-pulling-ads-from-hannity/ Advertisers Bow to Activist Left, Begin Pulling Ads from Hannity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> | + | In May 2017, Fox News published and then retracted a story about the [[murder of Seth Rich]]. Hannity did not retract anything he stated, noting the fact that liberals and Democrats themselves widely accepted and circulated [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]], most notably those regarding alleged Russian interference in the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]].<ref>Concha, Joe (May 23, 2017). [http://thehill.com/homenews/media/334825-hannity-on-seth-rich-coverage-i-retracted-nothing Hannity on Seth Rich coverage: ‘I retracted nothing’]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Because of Hannity's decision, liberal advertisers chose to pressure and bully him by pulling out their ads from his show.<ref>Kew, Ben (May 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/24/advertisers-bow-to-activist-left-begin-pulling-ads-from-hannity/ Advertisers Bow to Activist Left, Begin Pulling Ads from Hannity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> Many of these attacks were attempts on the part of left-wingers to destroy a non-left-wing voice in the media.<ref name="MonopolizeMedia">Kew, Ben (May 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/25/brent-bozell-attack-on-hannity-part-of-liberal-strategy-to-monopolize-the-media/ Brent Bozell: Attack on Hannity Part of ‘Liberal Strategy to Monopolize the Media’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 26, 2017.</ref> |