Wednesday, January 26, 2005

1st post, ha ha!

Welcome to partisan chaos!

I'd like to open the discussion with:

Given that FNC is the undisputed cable new network leader:

1) How much influence does FNC have on shaping the opinion of it's viewers.
2) Is FNC bias?
3) If so, how?

-dta

6 comments:

jMM' * said...

It's worse than that. It's not just FNC, all of big media is falling into line. Look at how the right's SS terminology has changed. By their rule, if W stops using a term on date then any use of the old term is bias against the administration.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_01_23.php#004541

They completely control the how issues are presented by the mainstream media and FNC is riding the crest of the wave.

dta said...

I saw Ted on Charlie Rose a few months back. While it's true he is still a bit peeved about loosing control over CNN -- I was really impressed with much of what he had to say.

I believe it was in this interview that he revealed that in late 2000 5 "consultants" were brought on board CNN by the BOD. All 6 came from a PsyOps group from the Pentagon.

Gonzo said...

I have a lot of respect for Turner as a business man, but his politics are...well...bizarre. As to the questions:

1) IMHO, not as much as other networks. Since they tend to discuss issues with commentators from the left and right, it supports existing opinions I would think.

2) Is FNC biased? To a degree, yes. But name one major media outlet who isn't.

3) I'd say FNC is biased towards the center-right. I don't believe all that garbage that they're extreme right wing. If they were, they wouldn't be so popular.

dta said...

1) So other networks have more influence on their viewers because FNC is more "balanced" -- IOW, the other majors do not allow both sides to present their views?

3) I thought you said FNC was so popular because they reported what patriotic americans want to hear. That is, not much bad to say about US policy or the administration... or at least, this administration. Now you are saying it's so popular because it's mostly centrist?

What would a right-leaning new source report any differently than what comes from Fox?

Who from the far-right are they not willing to put up?

Since I don't have cable, I only watch FNC on Sunday with Brett Hume. Juan Williiams is the token lefty, and he never gets the last word.

Gonzo said...

Answers:

1) In a lot of cases, yes.

3) I still hold that it is a patriotic channel and that appeals to a lot of Americans. It is also broadly centrist as, probably, 50% of Americans are.

As to reporting differently...oh, certainly an unabashedly right-leaning media source would report differently than FNC. Remember, it was FNC that broke the story about Bush's DUIs in 2000.

As to Juan Williams, I don't think he's the only "leftie" on that show with Brit Hume. Isn't Mara Liason (sp?) also there. And Hume is not hard-right.

Gonzo said...

Well, no shit! Since Bush is a Republican, I would imagine that the majority of guests would be Republican and/or conservative! Most networks want to report an inauguration as upbeat, hence one would expect this.

MM is being looney (again).