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dwmckim
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The idea of presenting both sides of a view without editorial slant and letting the facts speak for themselves is a time-honored tradition in journalism and is one of the most valued code of ethics in that field. In the US, not only has it been a long tradition, but also a mandated law via the Fairness Doctrine which required that news sources present fair and equal time to opposing views. This was later done away with (despite a lot of Americans thinking it's still in effect) which gave rise to things like conservative talk radio and Fox News whose purpose is to report on events with conservative spin.
There's certainly room for commentary outlets that are dedicated to analizing current events via a particular side. In itself, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this...as long as such outlets present itself as such identifying what they are and presenting themselves as commentators as opposed to reporters (for the most part talk radio does this well).
Fox News is a perfect example of abusing the process - being in existance to provide slanted coverage while simultaneously being blatently dishonest about their purpose - wrapping their presentation up as and identifying themselves as a neutral news reporting outlet. Their slogan of "Fair and Balanced" is particularly reprehensible because it's used to confuse people into believing that they're receiving "real journalism" (which strives to present neutral reporting) when everyone behind the scenes is dedicated to showcasing a rightward spin.
Proponants of Fox News may argue that the "fair and balanced" slogan is meant to indicate that it's meant to balance out the liberal spin the general media carries. But this is just an empty arguement that's another talking point of the propoganda Fox spins - the myth of the liberal media. This was a strategic attack on news media by conservative think tanks dating back decades to scare/pressure news outlets to skew more rightward. Indeed given that most news outlets are owned by major corporations (which usually have right-leaning interests) and especially in today's atmosphere where practically ALL major media is owned by one of only five media conglomerates the notion is all the more simply absurd.
Most American news outlets have sadly lost much of its credibility to the point where one literally has to seek out news reports from not only a variety of sources but especially including those outside the country - something most people don't have time to do. We're essentially left with newspapers (a dying breed), radio, television, and web news outlets that slant rightward if for no other reason due to editorial control (even if most of the reporters/staff are doing their best to keep things equal and fair) and things like Fox News whose whole business model is based on deceiving an ignorant public into thinking it's a legitmate news outlet when its purpose is to be a part of the right's spin cycle. If Fox was honest about its purpose, that would be a whole other story, but they spend just as much time trying to sell the lie about their "fairness and balance" and that what they're broadcasting is news in the ideal sense instead of commentary as they do their talking points.
Anyone wanting to check out some extraordinary exposes of Fox News in particular should watch Robert Greenwald's documentary "Outfoxed" and those wanting a more general account of the history of the "liberal media" myth and its genesis from conservative think tanks to its infiltrating the general media and rise of Fox News and rightwing radio should read David Brock's "The Republican Noise Machine". I highly reccomend the latter to anyone interested in media/journalism studies in general as Brock not only traces the history of the myth but also does so with actual insider knowledge as he had spent the early part of his career as part of the machine he writes about.
There's certainly room for commentary outlets that are dedicated to analizing current events via a particular side. In itself, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this...as long as such outlets present itself as such identifying what they are and presenting themselves as commentators as opposed to reporters (for the most part talk radio does this well).
Fox News is a perfect example of abusing the process - being in existance to provide slanted coverage while simultaneously being blatently dishonest about their purpose - wrapping their presentation up as and identifying themselves as a neutral news reporting outlet. Their slogan of "Fair and Balanced" is particularly reprehensible because it's used to confuse people into believing that they're receiving "real journalism" (which strives to present neutral reporting) when everyone behind the scenes is dedicated to showcasing a rightward spin.
Proponants of Fox News may argue that the "fair and balanced" slogan is meant to indicate that it's meant to balance out the liberal spin the general media carries. But this is just an empty arguement that's another talking point of the propoganda Fox spins - the myth of the liberal media. This was a strategic attack on news media by conservative think tanks dating back decades to scare/pressure news outlets to skew more rightward. Indeed given that most news outlets are owned by major corporations (which usually have right-leaning interests) and especially in today's atmosphere where practically ALL major media is owned by one of only five media conglomerates the notion is all the more simply absurd.
Most American news outlets have sadly lost much of its credibility to the point where one literally has to seek out news reports from not only a variety of sources but especially including those outside the country - something most people don't have time to do. We're essentially left with newspapers (a dying breed), radio, television, and web news outlets that slant rightward if for no other reason due to editorial control (even if most of the reporters/staff are doing their best to keep things equal and fair) and things like Fox News whose whole business model is based on deceiving an ignorant public into thinking it's a legitmate news outlet when its purpose is to be a part of the right's spin cycle. If Fox was honest about its purpose, that would be a whole other story, but they spend just as much time trying to sell the lie about their "fairness and balance" and that what they're broadcasting is news in the ideal sense instead of commentary as they do their talking points.
Anyone wanting to check out some extraordinary exposes of Fox News in particular should watch Robert Greenwald's documentary "Outfoxed" and those wanting a more general account of the history of the "liberal media" myth and its genesis from conservative think tanks to its infiltrating the general media and rise of Fox News and rightwing radio should read David Brock's "The Republican Noise Machine". I highly reccomend the latter to anyone interested in media/journalism studies in general as Brock not only traces the history of the myth but also does so with actual insider knowledge as he had spent the early part of his career as part of the machine he writes about.
