Weazel News Television is the news branch of Weazel that appears in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto VI.
Description
The Weazel News name was first mentioned briefly in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, as an insult by host Richard Goblin during a closing dialog in "Coq 'O' Vin" in LCFR. It is in Grand Theft Auto IV, however, when its prominence was elevated, reporting events of Liberty City and the exploits of the player.
In the HD Universe, Weazel News is a massive news network with three news divisions including Weazel Sports.
In Grand Theft Auto IV, Niko can visit the website, watch it on television, or most commonly, listen to it on the radio. Weazel News also operates a program known as The Weazel News Morning Show, most likely a parody of Fox & Friends.
Throughout the autumn of 2008, Weazel News' coverage on television and the internet mostly panders to the far-right. For example, the network endorses draconian anti-terrorism measures that seize Americans' freedom, such as the Jingoism Act and the closure of Liberty City's bridges. Following the collapse of an Algonquin construction crane, their reporters also attempt to establish a connection between labor unions and terrorism. Additionally, they dismiss concerns about the economic recession as "liberal lies and depression," boldly claiming that President Joe Lawton and conservative members of Congress ended the country's financial woes.
In Grand Theft Auto V, the main broadcasting building for the network can be found in Little Seoul, and its corporate headquarters, based on the Fox Plaza, is located in Rockford Hills. Weazel News also owns its own set of custom Rumpo news vans.
In 2013, Weazel News no longer has an accessible website, but Eyefind news articles and radio broadcasts are common. Some of Weazel's internet articles seem less extreme than those published in 2008. However, much hypocrisy and chaos remain in the news network. For example, Karl Kelly and his ex-wife, both Weazel journalists, frequently slander each other in their news coverage. The reporters' inappropriate conduct seemingly goes unpunished.
In Grand Theft Auto Online, not much is known or seen about Weazel News after 2013. However, in the summer of 2022, a news report surrounding The Criminal Enterprises update can be heard by the player.
During Grand Theft Auto VI in the mid-2020s, Weazel reports on incidents such as an overturned vehicle crash and "thugs" causing chaos on motorbikes. There is an additional report about a Leonida Man.
Radio Stories
Throughout the HD-era Grand Theft Auto titles, Weazel News radio segments will update the player as they navigate through the games' respective stories.
Influence
- Weazel News is a parody of Fox News, as both weasels and foxes are mammals native to North America. "Weasel" is an insult that is synonymous with an untrustworthy person, as well as a euphemism for a penis.
- In GTA IV, Weazel News on the Radio is similar to real-life radio station 1010 WINS (a CBS All-News Radio Station). Mike Whitely, one of the reporters of Weazel News, is also voiced by an actual reporter of the aforementioned station.
- Also, the graphic seen in the mission Legal Trouble, is similar to the CNN graphic.
- The company's previous slogan, "reporting the right news," is a reference to the long-running accusations of Fox News' right-wing biased reporting.
Slogan & Motto
| Slogan & Motto | Usage | Version |
|---|---|---|
| "Reporting The Right News" | 2008/2009 | Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City |
| "Confirming your prejudices" | 2013–present day | Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online |
Reporters
- Alison Maybury, radio reporter
- Artie Schneider, meteorologist
- Bryan Wilkinson, radio reporter
- Callista Brown, radio reporter
- Charles Justice, anchor.
- Cindy Shiny, anchor
- Eric House, radio street reporter
- Eugene White, website writer
- Jenny Acorn, radio street reporter
- Jim Harrison, main radio/TV reporter
- John Chesapeake, website writer
- John Rios, website writer
- Karl Kelly, finance reporter
- Kenny Lapolano, sports
- Lori Diangelo-Stockton, TV/radio rep
- Leslie Gardner, website writer
- Leslie Mitchell, website writer
- Malcolm Forthright, news reporter
- Malinda Manchester, news reporter
- Mike Whitely, main radio street reporter
- Rick Simpson, website writer
- Sheila Hall, news reporter
- Staff Writer, website writer
- Lazlow Jones, street reporter
- Trip Michaels, weather reporter
- Julia McCaffery, weather reporter
Videos
Gallery
