Comments on: Why Fox News wins the ratings  http://www.thesheaf.com/2010/01/27/why-fox-news-wins-the-ratings%c2%a0/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jaunty http://www.thesheaf.com/2010/01/27/why-fox-news-wins-the-ratings%c2%a0/#comment-1257 Jaunty Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:29:41 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=2562#comment-1257 Politically I describe myself as Libertarian, so it should come as no surprise that I can't stand most Republicans, and I can't stand most Democrats. I also can't stand many of Fox's prime-time anchors (or for that matter, MSNBC's and CNN's). However, it will be painfully obvious to anyone who still has a shred of independent thought left, that the totality of Fox News' programming is more even-handed than any other American cable news organisation. Period. Politically I describe myself as Libertarian, so it should come as no surprise that I can’t stand most Republicans, and I can’t stand most Democrats. I also can’t stand many of Fox’s prime-time anchors (or for that matter, MSNBC’s and CNN’s). However, it will be painfully obvious to anyone who still has a shred of independent thought left, that the totality of Fox News’ programming is more even-handed than any other American cable news organisation. Period.

]]> By: Stetson http://www.thesheaf.com/2010/01/27/why-fox-news-wins-the-ratings%c2%a0/#comment-1232 Stetson Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:08:46 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=2562#comment-1232 Very well put Ishmael. I agree completely. There is a definite need for real journalism again. Very well put Ishmael. I agree completely. There is a definite need for real journalism again.

]]> By: ishmael http://www.thesheaf.com/2010/01/27/why-fox-news-wins-the-ratings%c2%a0/#comment-1227 ishmael Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:02:13 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=2562#comment-1227 You claim that other networks have their own liberal biases but then you only cite Maddow, Olbermann, and Chris Matthews. All three are from MSNBC, the Fox News equivalent for the other side of the political spectrum. The only other network you mention, CNN, is followed by an admission that whatever bias they were accused of was from the 1990s. That does not prove anything other than the fact that MSNBC has a liberal slant, which is well known. That is, in the end, the problem. Because of Fox's success with pandering to people of one ideological stripe, MSNBC has now created an echo chamber for the left while what we really need is less, not more, of this trash. There is a greater need than ever for real journalism. The fact that Fox makes the most money does not prove anything about their integrity. Oh, and as for Fox News's "hard news" faction, just because they're not yelling at the screen like Glenn Beck does not mean they don't consistently slant their coverage in favour of Republican/conservative ideals. The film Outfoxed, which came out a few years ago, illustrates this very well. Lastly, I don't know why you speak so glowingly about Fox News's focus on American exceptionalism and sensationalism. It is that sort of narrow focus that helps leave American viewers woefully ignorant of international issues. You claim that other networks have their own liberal biases but then you only cite Maddow, Olbermann, and Chris Matthews. All three are from MSNBC, the Fox News equivalent for the other side of the political spectrum. The only other network you mention, CNN, is followed by an admission that whatever bias they were accused of was from the 1990s. That does not prove anything other than the fact that MSNBC has a liberal slant, which is well known.

That is, in the end, the problem. Because of Fox’s success with pandering to people of one ideological stripe, MSNBC has now created an echo chamber for the left while what we really need is less, not more, of this trash. There is a greater need than ever for real journalism. The fact that Fox makes the most money does not prove anything about their integrity.

Oh, and as for Fox News’s “hard news” faction, just because they’re not yelling at the screen like Glenn Beck does not mean they don’t consistently slant their coverage in favour of Republican/conservative ideals. The film Outfoxed, which came out a few years ago, illustrates this very well.

Lastly, I don’t know why you speak so glowingly about Fox News’s focus on American exceptionalism and sensationalism. It is that sort of narrow focus that helps leave American viewers woefully ignorant of international issues.

]]> By: Dustin K. C. Irvine http://www.thesheaf.com/2010/01/27/why-fox-news-wins-the-ratings%c2%a0/#comment-1221 Dustin K. C. Irvine Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:30:03 +0000 http://thesheaf.com/?p=2562#comment-1221 Very well put. Very well put.

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