Updated 4/18/09 7:00 pm.

AS part of a Nationwide effort, there will be a tax protest in Seal Beach Today at the Seal Beach City Hall from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. This protest is part of a national campaign sponsored by Fox News, which has been criticized for discarding its journalistic independence by its promotion of the events.

The tax protest movement in California has received press coverage because the recent tax increases have made California's rates some of the highest in the nation, and lots of folks are just a bit upset about that. In fact, "furious" was the adjective used by one anti-tax activist recently interviewed by your Editors. While it is probably safe to assume that most people would rather have lower taxes than higher ones, The real story behind today's events revolves around the role of Fox News.

Both CNN and MSNBC have criticized Fox's claim to journalistic independence while, at the same time, clearly promoting the tax protests. The question here is, Does Fox want to be an independent journalistic voice ("Just say no to biased media", "we report, you decide."), or does Fox want to be "the voice of opposition on some issues", as Fox News senior vice president Bill Shine has suggested.

Fox's promotion of the events, while at the same time they are reporting on them, is somewhat like the See's Candy company and the California Dental Association collaborating to promote the historical relevance of milk chocolate on Easter Sunday. It could appear to some skeptics that Fox is creating the news, rather than objectively reporting on it. This is not to suggest that a strong opposition voice is not a good thing. Nor is it to suggest that there would be no tax protest without Fox News.

In fact, the radio station, KFI Los Angeles, sponsored another tax protest held last month in Fullerton. This event was actively promoted on the evening prime time KFI talk show, "John and Ken". The current recall Jim Silva movement, based in Seal Beach, was represented at this event. Jim Silva is being recalled because he is not anti-tax enough for some people.  A representative of the recall Jim Silva movement told your Editors that they have sent in the initial paperwork needed to start their signature gathering efforts.

Bradford Bach, of the recall Jim Silva movement, told your Editors that they will attempt to gather 40,000 signatures. They will have 160 days to get the signatures and He said "More than likely, we'll have to get paid professionals, but we'll see how many we get on our own."  See our related article for more about the reasons for the recall Jim Silva movement.  The Seal Beach City Hall is located at 211 8th St, Seal Beach.