Post-Gazette Editorial – 10/5/06

This page was last updated on October 5, 2006.

Fox’s prowess / The cable news network has enlivened the debate; Editorial; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; October 5, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“Ten years ago, Fox News, a daring upstart in a cable news landscape dominated by CNN, took to the airwaves and never looked back.

“Founded and funded by billionaire businessman Rupert Murdoch, Fox News would probably have languished in the cable ratings cellar if not for the fortuitous hire of Roger Ailes, a veteran Republican media operative who served in the first Bush administration. Under Mr. Ailes, Fox News became what can only be described as a self-consciously conservative counterweight to the perceived ‘liberal bias’ of the mainstream media.”

[RWC] “[P]erceived ‘liberal bias’?” Dude, your own website states “…it wouldn’t be unfair to describe the Post-Gazette’s philosophy as generally liberal on social issues and more conservative on economic issues.” If you read PG editorials, though, you know the “more conservative on economic issues” claim is BS.

“Fox News’ ironic motto ‘fair and balanced,’ along with its bold use of patriotic colors and banners, became an unmistakable visual code: Fox News was television for patriots and its news would be filtered through the prism of what it believed was good for America and bad for liberals.”

[RWC] It didn’t really take much to accomplish. Lest we forget, Tom Brokaw refused to wear a U.S. flag lapel pin during newscasts and ABC News had an official policy against it.

“To critics of its pro-Republican politics, Fox News was a worst-case scenario from the beginning. It gleefully rode the Clinton impeachment hearings to high ratings that eroded CNN’s once unassailable dominance.”

[RWC] The editorial failed to note “CNN’s once unassailable dominance” was because CNN was a monopoly. It had no competitor until FNC came along.

“It was clear to viewers of all political persuasions that Fox News exuded an attitude unprecedented in the normally staid television news business. As Republicans assumed the mantle of ruling party with the election of President George W. Bush, Fox’s audience grew accordingly.”

[RWC] What was/is the “attitude unprecedented in the normally staid television news business?” Unlike most of the rest of the mainstream media, Fox News doesn’t usually assume the “blame America first” stance.

“Many hapless moderates and liberals were dutifully trotted out for interviews over the years and beaten like pinatas by savvy and sharp-tongued conservatives Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly.”

[RWC] Of course, the editorial fails to note CNN did the same with conservatives, and for a lot longer.

“Despite having built an audience more than twice the size of CNN’s in less than a decade, Fox News has recently seen a sharp drop in prime-time viewership. The falling fortunes of political conservatives along with declining interest in cable news may be taking some of the swagger out of Fox New’s gait.”

[RWC] The editorial failed to note CNN also “has recently seen a sharp drop in prime-time viewership.” Stories indicate this year-to-year drop was a result of unusually high viewership during the Hurricane Katrina/Wilma period last year.

“To be honest, a network doesn’t have to be fair to bring balance. Conservatives need outlets, too. If Fox News didn’t exist, someone would have to invent it.”

[RWC] I’m sure this isn’t the intention, but the final paragraph admits TV news & commentary was a liberal monopoly until FNC arrived.