You can't argue with success. Let them be what they are. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than what we had before. |
Posted on 03/06/2005 6:12:34 AM PST by SJackson
Fox News Network has become a favorite target of leftists who, in all their impotent rage, like to ascribe sinister motives to what they see as a staunchly conservative news channel. An entire documentary, "Outfoxed," has been devoted to the idea that Fox News is part of some right-wing cabal.
Liberals are particularly fond of mocking Fox`s claim to be "fair and balanced." Of course, if you`re part of a crowd that considers The New York Times to be conservative, your frame of reference is going to be just a tad bit skewed.
Actually, for those who once had hopes that Fox News would actually fulfill such paranoid fantasies, the network has been a major disappointment. Fox is certainly a cut above the competition, but as far as providing a real alternative to the liberal agenda of the mainstream media (MSM), many viewers are still waiting.
The problem with Fox is that it has become just a little too fair and balanced. Where else can you catch such luminaries of the Left as Katrina vanden Heuvel, David Corn, and Eric Alterman on a regular basis? You hardly see these people on television, yet Fox has apparently decided to give the entire staff of the far-left Nation magazine a platform to spew their anti-American invective. The more moderate Juan Williams, Mara Liasson, and the annoyingly plastic Flavia Colgan are also part of Fox`s liberal stable of commentators.
Indeed, every show has to have a liberal guest or two on the panel, lest Fox be accused (horror of horrors) of being conservative. But is Fox so busy trying to present both sides that it’s neglecting its conservative fan base? After all, liberals still dominate the MSM and already have more than enough outlets for their talking points. Rather than providing a true alternative, Fox seems to be following suit.
In its daily news coverage, Fox News essentially presents the same stories one sees elsewhere. While news is news, the media literally shape our view of reality by deciding which events to focus on and what slant to give the coverage. As such, Fox does little to differentiate itself from the crowd. Often, the network goes so far as to give voice to the canards making the rounds of the liberal media. For instance, in the wake of the tsunami disaster, when the UN and assorted Democrats were characterizing U.S. relief aid as "stingy," Fox, like its mainstream media counterparts, wasted an entire week on what was essentially a non-story.
Fox does this all the time when, instead of simply reacting to the left`s agenda, it should be putting forward an agenda of its own.
The Democratic Party is out of power and on the decline, yet Fox News, like the other media outlets, spends an inordinate amount of time discussing how the party might revive its dwindling fortunes. The blowhard blather of Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden, not to mention the perpetual petulance of Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi, are treated seriously. No one at Fox asks the hard questions when such guests are on the hot seat; instead they engage in the usual scripted interviews. Utter nonsense, such as criticism of President Bush`s inaugural address for being "too lofty," is treated as actual news rather than as simply the latest whining from Democrats.
Fox is also out to lunch when it comes to those issues on which neither party is rising to the occasion — the growing alarm over illegal immigration being one of them. Over at CNN, Lou Dobbs stands alone with consistent and unflinching coverage of this growing crisis. Colorado Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo, who`s become a popular figure among conservatives for his dedication to this issue, is a frequent guest on Dobbs`s show, but rarely appears on Fox.
Or how about the Minuteman Project in Arizona where Americans fed up with the seeming impotence of their government are volunteering to help protect its borders in April? Yet another cutting-edge story Fox News doesn`t seem to be aware of.
And as if we needed any more trash-obsessed "news" coverage in the media, Fox devotes an entire hour each day to the subject. “On the Record” host Greta Van Susteren delivers juicy tidbits from the trials of Michael Jackson, Robert Blake (and formerly Scott Peterson) in all seriousness. Although this stuff apparently has an audience, nothing makes me change the channel faster than the sight of Susan Estrich, Gloria Allred, and a succession of showbiz lawyers and commentators expounding — as if their lives depended on it — on the latest developments in the Kobe Bryant case.
The War on Terror is, unfortunately, another area where Fox News largely presents the same old spin. Faced with the multi-faceted conflict in which we’ve found ourselves embroiled since 9/11, Americans would benefit greatly from terrorism coverage that provided a coherent picture. But Fox for the most part provides the kind of unfocused coverage found elsewhere in the MSM. Fox also repeats many of the mainstream media’s misconceptions of the War on Terror or do little to disprove them, thereby giving fuel to the ravings of the "antiwar" crowd.
The current rehashing of the Middle East "peace process" pantomime is another example of a missed opportunity on the part of Fox News. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows by now that there is no serious peace partner on the Palestinian side of the fence. The Palestinians’ repeatedly stated goal is to wipe out the state of Israel and replace it with an Islamic state. Yet the media pretend otherwise, with Fox News simply promulgating the same charade.
Rather than intone the usual hollow phrase "cycle of violence," Fox could be standing out from the pack and telling it like it is.
Despite the welcome presence of Ann Coulter, Michele Malkin, and occasionally Rich Lowry, a plethora of conservative intellectuals languish in obscurity while loudmouths like Bill O`Reilly dominate the scene at Fox. O`Reilly seems to pride himself on being a contrarian, but his "independence" rubbed conservative viewers the wrong way when he jumped on the "let`s discredit the Swift Boat Veterans" bandwagon last year. The honeymoon has been over ever since. He also has a propensity for stories about scantily clad teenagers and the latest spring break sorority girl scandal, which are getting a bit tiresome for female viewers. Under the guise of disapproval, viewers are treated to endless footage of the objectionable behavior at issue.
Sean Hannity, while well meaning, spends way too much time trying to induce guilt in amoral liberal guests, and even he has to be "balanced" with his liberal partner, the tepid Alan Colmes.
Such hosts, when they`re not hawking their wares, are blowing it on interviews with easy targets such as Michael Moore. Instead of skewering them with facts, their egos only permit them to puff up their chests in indignation. Meanwhile, brilliant minds such as Thomas Sowell and Victor Davis Hanson are nowhere to be found.
Former Reagan speechwriter Peter Robinson`s “Uncommon Knowledge” is one of the few television shows where viewers can hear such intellectuals engage in stimulating political discussion, and it`s hosted by none other than the notoriously liberal PBS. When PBS is ahead of the political curve, it`s time for Fox News to take note.
While the house of cards known as the mainstream media has come crashing down in recent years, most notably in the fall of Dan Rather and CBS, many Americans still look to the media to help them navigate the world. Increasingly, they`re turning off their televisions and turning on their computers to get that guidance. Rejecting the narrative of the MSM, Americans are cutting through the obfuscation and getting to the truth via the Internet. Websites and blogs are the new founts of knowledge, while television news is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Unless it wants to follow suit, Fox News will wise up and stop worrying about being "fair and balanced." While it’s still the best of the bunch, it can do much better.
Cinnamon Stillwell is a contributing editor at ChronWatch.com and lives in San Francisco. She can be contacted at cstillwell@chronwatch.com.
I'm hoping FoxNews is just trying to show Americans the liberal "disease" up close by putting these complete *sses on. But personally, I wish they'd get rid of them all.
Just tell the truth, I don't need to see the idiocy of the left.
"Fair and Balanced" -- how about true and sincere...... all the time?
Great post. I'm in 100% agreement that Fox is blowing it by not offering the same situation that the MSM does in reverse. They should put up a conservative and an ARCH conservative on commentary panels, and occasionally let in a moderate for 'balance.'
Instead they go overboard and put lots of moderates and leftists out. Fox still skews left like the MSM, it's just LESS left. Sort of like the GOP and the Rats.
You can't buy better laughs! I especially love the segments when Brit Hume slowly demolishes Juan Williams' latest liberal codswallop. This guy needs to lighten up -- they only have the leftist loons on so we can all have a few yuks at their expense.
Tancredo is more loved by the Robery KKK Byrd Klan than anyone in the conservative camp.
"perpetual petulance.." and my personal fave......"the annoyingly plastic Flavia Colgan..."
Cinnamon rocks!!!!!
This article should be required reading at Fox.
Did you forward this to them?
Yes their beliefs are sick. See this!
*****
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1356541/posts ----- Clintonista Admits Dems Rooting for Terrorists
He has to do it slowly, so Juan will understand, plus Brit is trying real hard not to make poor Juan cry.
LIke many people, I don't need to hear from liberals on Fox. They're propaganda is forced in my face in every facet of life. Every statement is narcissitic, and a lie. We need a channel with the conservative viewpoint only in a laughing at libs format while explaining the truth (ala Laura Ingraham). Have a casual roundtable format with Gingrich, Coulter, Malkin, Sowell, etc. Fox News political coverage would disapear in a week.
If Fox News is the worst thing this writer has to moan about she's not paying attention.
"Well, there's still Iran and North Korea, don't forget. There's still hope for the rest of us ... There's always hope that this might not work."
With all the cable channels....I wonder why a real balance to the Old York Times, LA Slime, and the rest of the hacks has yet to be birthed? I agree that a far right network would be welcomed......
With all the cable channels....I wonder why a real balance to the Old York Times, LA Slime, and the rest of the hacks has yet to be birthed? I agree that a far right network would be welcomed......
Actually, these particular people appear regularly on MSNBC.
Very sick. I saw the clip of her saying this. I believe there was a small degree of humor intended in it. But it is the larger degree of significant underlying meaning that is so indicative and disgusting. They all FEEL that sentiment, she just SAID it.
Great post, I’m in total agreement.
Fox has become the 24/7 celebrity justice channel.
There was a time when FOX News was the only thing I would watch on TV.
Then, I began watching it with the sound off (captioned).
Lately, I have stopped watching TV altogether, except for a rare History channel program here and there.
I know KvH is an adamant conservative-hating, lfty, socialist Marxist, but she looks like she would get excited over different matters. ;-)
I'd like to see them use the clip in bumpers and promos.
worth repeating
Calling LIE "spin" with no punishment or consequences is outrageous. The lie is the first weapon in the arsenal of weapons of the criminal.
An excellent article. Hopefully, a genuine conservative news channel will come along. Fox is not the answer.
Because they are dying their own slow, painful deaths.
Total agreement bump.
“An excellent article. Hopefully, a genuine conservative news channel will come along. Fox is not the answer.”
You are right. Fox is not the answer.
But, a genuine conservative news channel has come along.
It is called Free Republic!
Fox does not have an entirely conservative audience. The point in being "Fair and Balanced" is to counteract the MSM propaganda so that people can think for themselves. Once they do, they inevitably drift to the right.
I only watch the Brit Hume newscast, The Beltway Boys, and sometimes the Sunday show. Juan Williams comes across as an idiot, but he is tolerable. Mara Liasson is a much more clever spinner than people imagine. Mort Kondracke is a somewhat conservative Democrat, and usually enjoyable to listen to.
Charles Krauthammer is the best of the conservative pundits, and Brit is the best moderator/interviewer in the business by a long shot. I have never seen Thomas Sowell on Fox. He would be terrific. Michael Medved is another one. These guys make well reasoned factual arguments in response to the lies and emotionalism of the Left.
Look at it this way: On Fox, the lefties come off as crackpots and whackos, instead of credible policy people. In much the same way as Hollywierd had the opposite effect of what they intended.
Free Republic is on the internet. While it has a large audience and many participants, it lacks the wider audience of a TV or radion network.
What republicans and conservatives need is FRTV and FR radio to complement the FR forum.
And, knowing what FR is about, there would be no need to try to make the network 'fair and balanced'.
Imagine, real conservative programming and opinions all the time. Krauthammer, Coulter, Malkin, Rush, Ingraham, etc, sprinkled with some of our favorite elected republican officials.
FOX would lose the majority of its audience to FRTV. Then, TV news would really be 'fair and balanced" while FOX could continue trying to be like the other cable networks with their quest to draw the other networks' audiences.
I don't watch it any more and it has nothing to do with their political leanings...It's the tabloid orientation and all the car chases, etc! Who has time or interest for that. Real news is hard to find these days.
Paul Weyrich used to have an authentic conservative channel on satellite, but it is gone now. It was marvelous. It was all truth all the time.
Simply looking for truth is much better than looking for balance between truth and lies.
Regarding FNC, I mute them EVERY time a liberal comes on. However, as an old doctor once told me years ago: "If it's not broke, don't fix it." FNC ratings are way up.
Fox News is certainly a cut above the fold. But it could also be a lot more conservative. Personally, I'm waiting for a second conservative station to come along and challenge Fox.
“What republicans and conservatives need is FRTV…”
Agree. Would love to see that happen.
But, until such time, the TV stays off. I’m just as happy staying with internet and talk radio.
Hannity is unimpressive and frequently annoying in this respect. One of his stunts is to demand a liberal guest disassociate themselves from something that some OTHER liberal is in trouble for saying. Then when the guest stutters a bit, he make a show of his disgust and dismisses them.
It's a cheap, bullying tactic.
You can't argue with success. Let them be what they are. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than what we had before. |
Why are you people still watching television for news and information? That's a very inefficient way to perform that function. That's like rowing a boat to get to Hawaii.
It would be something else if there weren't jet planes -- but there are now and they'll probably be around for a while.
Same deal with obtaining information. You could sit around all day waiting for somebody to tell you what you want to know or you could search it out limited only by your own ability to discern the valid and true -- instead of futilely hoping some other person will do it for you. If you find these people entertaining then you probably need to find more interesting people in your real lives to communicate with. For the most part, these media people are boring and misinformed -- with no other reason for being on television except they want to be rich and famous. If you want to hear Pavarotti, you don't tune in to American Idol.
"I completely disagree. When Fox News becomes a republican mouth piece or even a conservative month piece, I will stop watching. Conservative opinions are correct on their face value. They are simply correct and good policy. If they are juxtaposed to liberal fallacies minus the liberal slant on most left slanting news networks then they are obvious in their wisdom and thoughtfulness."
"Don't be afraid of the left. Be afraid of those who are hiding the right, or lying about it. Have faith that when you are in the right, you have nothing to fear from openness."
Thanks for those words of wisdom. I was trying to figure out how I was going to post a response to this thread. If Fox News were to become strictly "Conservative", they would be stooping to the level of the Liberal MSM, which we fine so disgusting. Can't understand folks who don't want to hear both sides of every issue. I don't have to agree with them, but I sure as heck don't want to become like a Liberal who only chooses to hear the Leftist version of the news. Look how stupid it made them. LOL
Wow! I just couldn't agree more. I am constantly yelling at FOX over the Bob Beckel and Robert Frost characters. Beckel invited a whore into his home - twice (and got caught because he wrote checks to pay her thousands of dollars); Frost sent his aide into Tom DeLay's office to STEAL a copy of Tom's redistricting plan for Texas - and the guy was caught on video. Also .. Robert Frost is the person driving the attack against Tom DeLay (re campaign contributions) in TX.
For FOX to use those people as some sort of credible source is just mind-boggling. And .. every time they appear on TV I make a point of sending FOX an email and informing them that using those characterless people DOES NOT SAY A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT FOX.
But .. this is my main gripe: "But is Fox so busy trying to present both sides that it’s neglecting its conservative fan base?" I don't want a conservative slant - I just want the truth. I hate those lefties they bring on - but .. I can see their point sometimes - these people do point out the extreme differences between the left and right.
For those people who have lived on a constant dose of liberal mania from CNN-ABC-CBS-NBC - FOX's approach is like a half-way house. I know it worked for my sister who was a confirmed CNN fan until she started watching FOX.
In Brent Bozell's interview in the Limbaugh Letter, he said that he believes there will be another major network coming on the scene very soon - even more conservative than FOX. I thought that was an interesting observation.
The value of FOX is not that it preaches to a Conservative choir.
The value of FOX is that it attracts Liberal viewers and the clueless Sheeple so that they can hear an opposing point of view that they will never hear on CBS/ABC/NBC/CNN/NPR.
Think of Liberals on FOX as:
Better notify Sean Hannity that a conservative author and publication is bashing a conservative (generally) tv network. Sean better cancel his subscription and cut off contact with the author, cause it's clear they eat their own.
Sinclair has had one in the works for a year. It will put a real scare into Fox and hopefully wake them up. I for one can't watch Fox because of the barrage of obnoxious, braindead, lying liberals who are ALWAYS there. (I haven't watch the others, ala 60 minutes since 1987...what a great feeling that is.) Fox seems to be going for increased market share by pursuing liberal viewers from the other shows. I think while not a flawed philosophy, it is missing the bigger picture...the slam dunk. They may gain liberal viewers, but they lose the daily viewership of conservatives.
The big gains are yet to be had in pursuing regular viewership of people who do not watch TV because of liberal content. I would tune in every day, as opposed to once every week or two. There a millions like me. As it is now, I turn on Fox and repulsed by liberals and turn off the TV within minutes. I only return when I'm bored once every 10 days, and the annoying cycle repeats.
Tancredo is more loved by the Robery KKK Byrd Klan than anyone in the conservative camp.
The only reason Dobbs talks with Tancredo is because Dobbs thinks that immigration is the issue that will allow the left to divide the Republican Party and win back the White House and maybe even Congress in 2008. The left and liberal media have allied themselves with the far right (Pat Buchanan is the best example) in order to destroy the Republican Party. The left wants to regain their power, the far right just wants to screw anyone who they think stands in their way of becoming a national party of self proclaimed "true conservatives".
Well .. I have my favorites on FOX - those who have stood up to the liberals - like John Gibson for one. But .. the weekends are brutal and filled with all the liberals.
I guess FOX figures all the conservatives are out doing things and going places - or are watching sports on the weekends.
I do like War Stories on Sunday evenings. And some of the special reports on Fallujah and the UN have been especially good.
However, I don't have a very favorable view of Sinclair. I really felt they caved from pressure from the Kerry people and betrayed the Swifties - and when they played the video - it was hacked to pieces - losing most of it's punch. I can't see them being ALL CONSERVATIVE if they can't even handle the Swifties video without caving to the liberals.
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The people running Fox News have every reason to ignore people who want major changes. The market is signalling them that they are doing everything right. Their viewership is higher than CNN and MSNBC combined. It continues to climb, even as the other guys are swirling around the bowl.