Only Fox News Provides Balance

[underpants]

Editor, Times-Dispatch: It's obvious the couple in Gary Brookins' cartoon who are opining about Fox News, do not watch it. If they did, they would know that not "everybody there is a spokesman for the Bush administration."

Anybody who actually watches the network, instead of forming an opinion based on left-wing media smears, would notice that the reason Fox can rightly claim to be fair and balanced is because it almost always has a liberal spokesman to counter a conservative.

It also has liberal commentators who appear regularly on its panel shows. Fox is the only channel I have ever watched that helps viewers understand both sides of a political argument.

All of the other networks are liberal, and make little attempt at being fair and balanced. David A. Cousins. midlothian.



http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855935005&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835807015&path=%21editorials%21letters

[MrModerate]

1. Yeah -- both sides . . .

. . . like "the president's side and the vice president's side."

[Burma Jones]

2. Maybe compared with the Workers' Daily.....n/t

[Ian_rd]

3. And what about actual facts?

"Fox is the only channel I have ever watched that helps viewers understand both sides of a political argument."

This is one of the great victories over the media by The Right. They have successfully created this desire to be "fair and balanced," which means that reportable fact no longer exists, only two equally credible opinions that should both receive equal time.

This is good for the bottom line as it's expensive to actually research stories, while it's really cheap to just put Demobot on one side of the table and Bushbot on the other side, watch them argue, and proudly tell your viewers that you are "fair and balanced."

This can be seen clearly with the global warming debate. The great-great majority of scientists agree that global warming is real and caused by human activity. The naysayers have typically all been energy company spokesman, rightwing thinktanks, and "scientists" funded by the likes of ExxonMobil. But for years, this issue has been presented by media outlets as he-says, she-says. Result? No action on the issue and now record profit for oil companies. Mission Accomplished.

[underpants]

6. The new truth

It is nice to be able to be able to not only put out your take on events and facts as well as influence how other organizations report on it.

[ixion]

4. yeah. right. whatever.

Here's an example of 'fair and balanced' 'journalism' as reported by FAUX news:

TALKING_HEAD: "Well, these low poll numbers sure do speak volumes about the great job President Bush is doing."

LIBERAL_PUNDIT: "Yeah, you're right. We liberals sure don't know what the heck we're talking about. I'm sure glad we've got big, strong republican leaders to watch out for us."

TALKING_HEAD: "You liberals don't get anything. You're a bunch of whiny east coast intellectuals who border on being communists, but hey, that's okay because this is America, and as a true American, I say it's okay, as long as you don't get out of line."

LIBERAL_PUNDIT: "Yeah, you're right. We're a rag-tag bunch that can't really make good decisions. I don't know what we'd do without you guys to take care of national security."

TALKING_HEAD: "A thank you will be just fine."

LIBERAL_PUNDIT: "Thanks so much. And thanks for allowing me to represent the liberal opinion on your excellent show."

TALKING_HEAD: "No problem. Just don't drool on me so much."

[BlueJazz]

5. Anyone who has ever watched "Outfoxed...Rupert Murdoch's...

...War on Journalism" would laugh/be disgusted at this clown's remarks.

[MessiahRp]

7. LOL

I love letters to the editor. You get to find out which one of your neighbors is truly batshit crazy.

Rp

[Vidar]

8. "I've looked at Fox from both sides now.

It's Fox's illusions I recall."

[Jack Rabbit]

9. This is what you call deluded.

This opinion is so ignorant as to not be worth a comment.

Why am I even bothering to post this?

[Ratty]

10. The whole "some say" deal sticks out like a sore thumb to me now

After it was pointed out to me I can't help but notice it practically every other sentence.

"Some say this is only another example of Democratic obstructionism."

"Some studies suggest that man-made C02 actually helps combat global warming."

"How do you counter those who say the current Supreme Court is legislating from the bench?"

They manage to gussy it up a bit, change the wording to throw you off, but I see it a mile away now. I made a game of it with my 12 year old niece once while her father was watching Fox. Trying to teach her a little about the media and critical thinking. She caught on surprisingly fast.

[winston61]

11. whatever this shithead is smoking, I want some