[After the option of watching CBS news, arguably the best news channel in the States---I think the Early Show and 60 minutes can attest to that---was snatched out of my hands on moving to boondock Colorado, I have been an ardent devotee of the Fox news channel, much to the perplexity of my friends and fellow-political-buffs].
I decided that as a loyal patron of FNC (read: taking blows from friends for following news on it, accepting their right-wing tilt despite being a diehard social liberal and returning time and again to number 42 after tirelessly flipping channels for half hours straight on weekdays) I needed to come to the defence of the most-watched cable news channel in America after the recent controversy over the premier of Greenwald's "Outfoxed".
OF COURSE the channel has a distinct right wing tilt. But so what? The right wing tilt is attributed more so by Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Brit Hume, all of whom have openly proclaimed that they are conservative americans that respect the traditional views this country is built on.
I dont see what the problem is with that. A news channel without a flavor would be like an Op-ed column without an opinion. What needs to be objective is the reporting, not the talk shows.
If a fox news reporter reporting the Abu Ghraib prison scandal came out and said that it was not as bad as those inflicted under Saddam's regime, it wouldn't be fair. Because a reporter is expected only to report.
But if Sean Hannity said he supported Bush's war on terror as opposed to his liberal counterpart, Alan Colmes, I dont see why that is wrong. And in defence of the channel, I think it is a whole lot better to say it openly than proclaim to be an objective channel like CNN whose left wing tilt is more than obvious.
Nor is O'Reilly wrong when he claims that the ACLU sometimes takes matters too far when he has reinforced time and again that he is a conservative church-going american. Because the very idea of a talkshow IS to air your opinions and give your perspective.
If Ann Coulter can get away with Treason and Mike Moore with Farenheit 911, then I am sure Brit Hume can be excused for having more republicans on his show than democrats. After all, you pretty much have the choice of not watching FNC as much as of not buying Stupid White Men.
I might not want to watch Bill rant about his conservative social views but give me a news channel other than FNC that will allow me to watch Jonathan Hoenig give us capitalistic thumbs ups. Or even remotely suggest that Martha Stewart was penalized more than she deserved. What a breath of fresh air that is after seeing left leaning, equal-opportunity advocates denounce her on the basis of her success alone. Being complacent over your success is acceptable, but over someone else's downfall? tsk tsk...
Bottomline: A cable channel is gonna show you what they believe they should. It's up to you to choose what you want to watch.
The only thing I take offence with is the "fair and balanced" slogan for the channel. But, then again, CNN calls itself the "most trusted name in news". What's that all about? Excuse one rhetoric, excuse them all, I say.
And I have one little suggestion for FNC skeptics. Try watching The Co$t of Freedom, Cashin' In and Cavuto on Business---the best financial news there is, is on FNC.
Egotism ....a lifelong romance
Thursday, July 22, 2004
'Fox'ily conservative?
Posted by Karthika at Thursday, July 22, 2004
Labels: Media Watch
6 comments:
For the first time we agree on something :D
Yup i second ur veiw on the freedom of choice and opinion.....I HATE BILL O' REILLY!
Cudnt help but notice the final economic highlite ;). Keep it up gurl.
This blog just convinced me abt one thing....getting a second TV set.
hate bill all you want....the people who make a difference in the world are the ones you love to hate and hate to love (wow, i can almost imagine bein a bill some day--i am already half way there ;)). and about the second tv set, i am all for it...imagine, i get to watch friends and FNC simultaneously :D sorry pal, no SVU. you couldn't handle the decibel levels....
Hehehehe. ya the volume ctrl on the remote is stuck anyway :(
better turn up the volume on my moosic...MACY GRAY rules!
Welcome to hip-hop-soul Katrix ;)
I never thought I'd do this, but this blog entry has irritated me beyond words...
Money and success aside, do you think Martha Stewart is innocent ??
"Fair and Balanced" is just as true as "We report, you decide". Two stupid channels that neither have a sense of responsibility to the public nor a sense of posterity for history. American journalism (except NYT and NPR) is hardly praiseworthy. This country's press is the most controlled "you hear what the government wants you to hear" press in the world. The white house warns - "Stay off Jenna and Barbara Bush" - and all the stupid channels/reporters implicitely obey. No wonder this is the world's most ignorant first world nation. For honesty in reporting, look at the BBC. For sheer balls, look at Al-Jazeera. For amazing 24 hour news coverage, look at the prime Indian news channels (do you know India has more 24 hour news channels than the United States ??????)
About the "analysts" on Fox, the lesser said, the better.
A blog is a diary. It should be honest to the heart and not pander to leanings.
Who is John Galt?
well said mr. galt. but i do have some quibbles.
first off - why am i interested in
jenna and whats her name other bush?
i would prefer that the press stay off personal things and report.
2. speaking for myself , media reporting has started to enter the
realm of entertainment. so the position the blog takes is, FNC is just
as ok as any other in terms of its opinions and its upto the viewer to
choose. I really dont care for FNC, ABC or CBS one way or another. I
hardly watch TV other than Z TV that my brain can really understand.
3. Finally, a blog is what it is. In these days of wearing ones heart on ones sleeve,
and having that be viewed instantaneously, one can hardly expect total honesty.
This is why i so love the heisenberg's uncertainty principle for the tremendous
intuition it brings to everyday life.
4. Finally whats it abt. John Galt? Is that like wearing a t'shirt proclaiming ones
adherence to the zen philosophy in a single sound-bite?:-) sorry, just couldnt resist.
methinks you need to grab a beer, burp loudly and settle down to FNC:-)
nemo to the rescue!
ditto ditto nemo, esp on the personal-side-of-a-politician-is- his-to-keep front. so if clinton commits adultery, it doesnt take away from him delivering as a politician.
with all due respect, I was comparing FNC to CNN and never once mentioned bbc, which hands down wins as the most objective news channel in the world. about indian news channels, i beg to differ. free press is not somethin india has ever seen and i doubt it ever will. this country may have a biased media but it's certainly free-er than most.
on stewart, she committed a crime and deserves jail time, what she does not deserve is the absolutely spiteful snarls that are being cast her way.
finally, a blog is your online diary where you air your views, NOT "give people what they want to hear".
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