Why Fox News Is Un-American

That Rupert Murdoch may tilt the news rightward more for commercial than ideological reasons is beside the point. What matters is the way that Fox's model has invaded the bloodstream of the American media. By showing that ideologically distorted news can drive ratings, Ailes has provoked his rivals at CNN and MSNBC to develop a variety of populist and ideological takes on the news. In this way, Fox hasn't just corrupted its own coverage. Its example has ... Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala - via Nicholas Kristof, Jay Rosen, MuckRack, Memeorandum, Newsweek
Tags Help
Subjects: U.S., Politics, Media
Member Tags: newsweek voices - jacob weisberg
Stats Help
# Tweets: 0 (as of 2009-10-17)
Editorial Help
Derek Hawkins
2.0
by Derek Hawkins - Oct. 20, 2009

Weisberg is clearly not a pot who knows his kettles. This petty little rant is no more factual or responsible than the Fox News content he roars against. Where are the examples that illustrate his assertions? Even though a lot of us know why we don't like Fox, we still deserve evidence. Worst is the charge that the news network is "actively try[ing] to kill its viewers" -- yes, Jake, even Fox viewers ultimately decide for themselves whether to get vaccinated. And for that matter, CNN and MSNBC can think for themselves, too. It's not Fox's fault they've become every bit as vapid and partisan as their competitor.

Most annoying and naive, to me anyhow, is the claim that the American press doesn't serve the interests of parties, persuasions, blah blah blah. Most mainstream media outlets, from Fox News to the New York Times, are stacked with power-worshipers and lap dogs. I find Newsweek is a particularly bad offender.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Fabrice Florin
3.0
by Fabrice Florin - Oct. 26, 2009

Provocative opinion about Fox News, which was recently rebuked by the Obama Administration for injecting right-wing bias in its news coverage. While I found this article to be reasonable, the author doesn't present the opposing viewpoint very well, and at times goes too far (suggesting that Fox is killing its viewers by questioning the value of swine-flu vaccines, for example). Still, I found this piece to be helpful in raising questions about this serious issue.

See Full Review » (18 answers)
Kaizar Campwala
3.5
by Kaizar Campwala - Oct. 19, 2009

Loses points for not being rigorous itself in it's critique of Fox News (no links, let alone explicit examples).

I do agree with Weisberg. Whether or not there's a democratic utility in Fox's methods, on the question of whether the channel informs or misinforms their viewers, American citizens, the answer is unfortunately the latter.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Jim Lang
3.7
by Jim Lang - Oct. 18, 2009

I have a mixed opinion regarding this opinion piece. In making its case it presents little evidence but rather relies on the readers' experience. As a consequence, it resonates with me, one who has abandoned cable news, but it is unlikely to sway the opinion of the avid Fox News watcher. The reference to the politicized journalism model of other Western countries is interesting.

The Australian-British-continental model of politicized media that Murdoch has applied at Fox is un-American, so much so that he has little choice but go on denying what ... More »

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Michael Bugeja
2.2
by Michael Bugeja - Oct. 18, 2009

Oh, please. Let's remember the tradition of the news media to protect its own, even rivals, because any administration--yes, including this one--can hide information from the public.

That this should be posted by a colleague who has argued for free expression, especially online, is disappointing--even more so than the affirmation it is likely to receive from NewsTrust reviewers who confuse truth with politics and post and affirm their liberal viewpoints--equally as annoying as Fox News.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Walter Cox
3.2
by Walter Cox - Oct. 18, 2009

A remarkably myopic look at Fox News Channel. Commentator Jacob Weisberg assumes that Fox's rightward tilt results from a disingenuous desire to boost ratings, when it more likely springs from a philosophical perspective that is so foreign to Weisberg that he takes refuge in cynicism. What is surprising is that he employs the "un-American" mantra usually reserved by the Right.

Any study of the American press, from the late-eighteenth century forward, will reveal that ideologically-driven, "irresponsible" journalism is the norm. This pattern of ideological bias remains as true today as ever, among all news outlets--Left and Right. The one difference I see is that most left-leaning journalists, like commentator Weisberg, are quite blind to their own ideological bias; they imagine themselves to be far more impartial than they actually are. P.S. I would ... More »

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Christine Ahlstrom
2.7
by Christine Ahlstrom - Oct. 25, 2009

The tone of this piece is just so snooty and I think the author should get off his high horse. I find his argument that Fox takes a right-wing stance less credible simply because of his tone. I would also like to have some straight forward examples of when and how Fox news has been biased, not because I disagree with him but so I could have an intelligent comment on what makes Fox biased.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Peter Henry
3.6
by Peter Henry - Oct. 20, 2009

The teaser: "Fox News isn't just bad. It's un-American." Point is not proven, but the piece isn't crap. The news organization it reviews (Fox News) is thoroughly full of crap, well-documented with several examples. But this doesn't imply that it is anti-American. Yellow journalism may or may not be an American invention, but Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch are certainly following in a sordid, very American, tradition. I think Weisberg is overreaching here. But just because there's overreach doesn't mean the piece itself is crap, as its examples are well-chosen and well-argued although not particularly insightful.

See Full Review » (10 answers)
Dwight Rousu
4.1
by Dwight Rousu - Oct. 18, 2009

Weisberg looks at the violation by Fox of the American journalistic tradition of independence from parties and administrations. His short tour of recent abuses is familiar from seeing past abuses. He calls for responsible journalists not to appear on Fox.

I would call for responsible merchants not to appear on the Fox network.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Lynn R. Willis
4.7
by Lynn R. Willis - Oct. 26, 2009

This well written opinion piece certainly plays to those of us who agree that Fox News provides a shallow parody of responsible journalism. More to the point, the author charges that the folks at Fox News are neither journalists nor do they even have any interest in pursuing the ideals and objectives of ethical journalism. As such, the author sees Fox News as something that reputable journalists should consciously avoid.

I've been ignoring Fox News for years, and I'm no journalist. What's taken the journalists so long to do likewise? Our views on this one are fairly well polarized. It's a free country, so the Fox Folks can certainly air whatever they'd like, and the public is free to listen or not. I choose not to listen because I find their reporting, for the most part, shallow, clearly biased, and, often enough, uninformed. Their regular and guest pundits (e.g., O'Reilly, Beck, Coulter, Rove) range ... More »

See Full Review » (19 answers)
Doug Greer
5.0
by Doug Greer - Oct. 21, 2009

This opinion piece doesn't have to show evidence for the right-wing bias of Fox News. It is assumed and evidence of Fox News bias can be found all over the place, including Media Matters. This article claims that Fox News is un-American and is "actively try[ing] to kill its viewers". I think the article has shown the un-American slant of Fox News, but fell short in describing all the ways that they actively put their viewers in danger through the use of misinformation.

See Full Review » (4 answers)
Randy Morrow
4.1
by Randy Morrow - Oct. 19, 2009

To admit that their coverage is slanted by design would violate the American understanding of the media’s role in democracy and our idea of what constitutes fair ... More »

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Naomi Isler
3.0
by Naomi Isler - Oct. 19, 2009

It just states the fairly obvious. I suppose the fact that Newsweek runs it is significant.

There used to be a 'fairness' doctrine forradio and tv , abandoned in some deregulatory era. This allowed the polarization we see now. However, in the past a lot of smaller town media were very conservative and focussed on flashy but inconsequential items. In urban areas there was more balance. So I'm not sure about the statement of distinctiveness of American media. Independent, yes, but very partisan much of the time..

See Full Review » (5 answers)
alan segal
5.0
by alan segal - Oct. 21, 2009

Definately high quality journalism. Any time a well respected member of the mainstream media takes on Republican propaganda pimps such as Murdoch and Ailes and exposes their partisan poisoning of news reporting it is a welcome defense of the once respected profession of journalism. Fox News has gotten away with a amazing con job on it's viewers. It's brainwashed these uninformed Republican voters that un-American hopes for failure of the government and demonizing attacks on the democratically elected President are somehow in their Republican self-interest and a higher form of patriotism.

See Full Review » (6 answers)

Comments on this story Help (BETA)

NT Rating | My Rating

Ratings

3.5

Average
from 15 reviews (59% confidence)
Quality
3.4
Facts
3.5
Fairness
3.5
Information
3.3
Insight
3.9
Style
3.6
Accuracy
4.0
Balance
3.0
Context
3.3
Depth
4.0
Enterprise
3.5
Expertise
2.2
Originality
3.2
Relevance
4.1
Transparency
2.0
Responsibility
3.3
Popularity
3.7
Recommendation
3.6
Credibility
4.1
# Reviews
5.0
# Views
5.0
# Likes
3.0
# Emails
1.0
More
How our ratings work »
(See these related stories.)

Links Help

  • The Media Equation: The Battle Between the White House and Fox News Pending

    Fox baited and the Obama administration bit. If history is any guide, the advantage now goes to the ink-and-pixel army.
  • Axelrod, Emanuel Criticize Fox News: "It's Not Really News" (VIDEO)

    (Video) White House senior adviser David Axelrod and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel continued the Obama administration's criticism of Fox News during their interviews this morning on ABC ...
    Posted by Tanya J. Maurer
  • Fox News FIRES Marc Lamont Hill, Liberal Analyst Pending

    I find [O'Reilly's] continued promotion of Professor Marc Lamont Hill an embarrassment to his own standards and an insult to the intelligence of African Americans particularly ...
    via OneRiot
  • Obama Team Continues Effort to Isolate Fox News

    Senior Obama administration officials took to the airwaves Sunday to accuse Fox News of pushing a particular point of view, one week after the administration fired its initial ...
    Posted by Derek Hawkins
  • Excuses wearing thin for Obama, media pals

    Have you heard the news? President Obama inherited an economic mess from the Bush administration. You say that's hardly news? But it's been the message sounded over and ...
    Posted by Derek Hawkins
  • Lack of universal health care is a mass killer

    In my 20 years of practice as a family physician, I have encountered dozens of cases where the main contributing factor to a person’s death was the lack of health insurance ...
    Posted by Chris Finnie
  • Outfoxed Pending

    Posted by Doug Greer
  • Media Matters for America Pending

    Posted by Doug Greer