Fox News pro-Republican? Shocking
Partisan News? True, but not New.
More and more Democrats are bowing out of an upcoming debate among presidential candidates on the grounds that the television sponsor, Fox News, is not a real news operation but is instead a media outlet for the Republican Party.
They are, of course, right. Fox News is the most blatantly partisan regulated medium in America today. (Oh, alright: it is probably tied with Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.)
If you are not sure about Fox, please see my earlier post.
What I did not address in that posting is the question, So what?
If Fox is the “Republican channel,” who cares? If CNN is the “Democratic channel,” (don’t tell Jack Cafferty or Lou Dobbs!), who cares? In fact, maybe we would be better served if these alliances were more explicit and less coy.
For some perspective, consider the highly partisan origins of American journalism. This is the story told in Chapter 2 of my book, Covering America. (to read it, just click on the title in the sidebar to the right.) Long before radio or television, the nation’s newspapers were overwhelmingly partisan. Indeed, according to one of the leading authorities in this field, Jeff Pasley, the papers were instrumental in creating the parties. (For more on that topic, see his excellent book, A Tyranny of Printers.)
More and more Democrats are bowing out of an upcoming debate among presidential candidates on the grounds that the television sponsor, Fox News, is not a real news operation but is instead a media outlet for the Republican Party.
They are, of course, right. Fox News is the most blatantly partisan regulated medium in America today. (Oh, alright: it is probably tied with Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.)
If you are not sure about Fox, please see my earlier post.
What I did not address in that posting is the question, So what?
If Fox is the “Republican channel,” who cares? If CNN is the “Democratic channel,” (don’t tell Jack Cafferty or Lou Dobbs!), who cares? In fact, maybe we would be better served if these alliances were more explicit and less coy.
For some perspective, consider the highly partisan origins of American journalism. This is the story told in Chapter 2 of my book, Covering America. (to read it, just click on the title in the sidebar to the right.) Long before radio or television, the nation’s newspapers were overwhelmingly partisan. Indeed, according to one of the leading authorities in this field, Jeff Pasley, the papers were instrumental in creating the parties. (For more on that topic, see his excellent book, A Tyranny of Printers.)
Labels: Fox News partisan journalism
posted by Chris Daly at 12:01 PM
3 Comments:
I totally agree. Readers and viewers are not stupid. Opinionated channels and newspapers only become dangerous, in my view, when there are no alternatives or when there are legal or financial obstacles to choice.
My own view is that the British newspaper media, lively, competitive and partisan, does a better First Amendment job (without actually having any constitutional protection) than the US press. But then, as a former British hack myself, I would say that, wouldn't I?
The problem with all of this is, young Republicans-to-be are not always aware of Fox's all-too-blatant attempts at brainwashing. I had a friend tell me not too long ago that she prefers Fox news over CNN because Fox is totally unbiased and objective. I had to leave the room before I started crying for the future of America.
I agree. Fox news network is completely bias to the democratic party and to think their slogan for the elections is "fair and balanced". The latest poll for the 2nd presidential debate was 82% and 11% in favor of McCain? Insane.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home