Do conservatives think Fox News is REALLY trying to be fair and balanced?

Question

No insult, just honest curiosity. I have no problem with biased reporting, but they should just admit that they're a right-wing network, right? I mean, you never hear MTV say "We don't aim our programming at teenagers." I just wish fox news would quit using the "fair and balanced" slogan.

Answer 1

I believe Fox thinks it really is fair and balanced.

The reasoning is pretty simple--all the other news outlets have a supposedly Liberal bias. Therefore Fox's distinct Conservative bias provides a counterbalance to the other outlets resulting in an overall news "culture" that is balanced.

However they are misleading themselves and their viewers if they believe that their contribution to a balanced news culture (which is valid) means that they themselves are fair or balanced.

They certainly are no more balanced than the outlets they criticize--they are merely on the other end of the see-saw.

Answer 2

Jeez, what a deliberately divisive question. I should report you for instigating.
I think your question is, in fact, faulty. When you say conservatives, I think that, rather, you mean "Conservatives" - a group of people with a specific political affiliation, agenda and bias. The same holds true with "Liberals" and the word liberal.
I'm sure some Conservatives of limited mental equipment would fancy Fox News as wholly objective. But let's be frank - I think the "Fair and Balanced" stems from the fact that, originally, Fox News was pretty much the only network not to egregiously demonize all things right-wing, as the majority of other news networks (cable and oherwise) seemed to do a majority of the time. As Fox's audience snowballed (heh, let's not be juvenile here...) and catapulted them into their current position of popularity, their coverage DID metamorphize, becoming more Conservative biased; I'm sure this was a business decision. Fox News, like any other news outlet, is in business to make money, and when your core audience generally adheres to a specific ethic, well, economically, your best interest is to cater to that group.
In short, I believe the answer to your question is that, no, most Conservatives would NOT consider Fox News quintessentially fair and balanced. I think, though, that they might argue that Fox has put forth effort to be MORE fair and balanced than some other networks, at least in regards to "their guys." So, in this case, "Fair and Balanced" is entirely a matter of perspective - if you are a Conservative, seeing your politicos mudballed on the other news programs, watching Fox News not villainizing them will naturally seem more fair, or balanced, than an overtly biased negative story.

Answer 3

Hey, if you hate Fox News, I got a suggestion: Don't freaking watch Fox. Its that simple. But seriously, with all of the liberal media out there poisoning the minds of Americans, the conservative point of view needs to get their word out. What could be wrong about a channel that allows conservatives AND democrats speak. I've been watching since 9/11 and have noticed something: If a democrat is talking, either a conservative is also there to get his two cents in or it is a democrat alone responding to something a Republican said. Same goes for republicans being on the air. Also, think about this: If Fox news is as conservative as you say, then why would the constantly have on people like Bob Beckel, WESLEY CLARK, Nancy Pelosi, and other liberals on their shows? Bob Beckle is a regular on Hannity & Colmes. Wesley Clark is one of the new Military Advisors who was HIRED by Fox after the 2004 Elections. Do you not remember how Fox was the first to break the story about President Bush being arrested for a DUI in the 1970's? Fox was the first one to report it. If they really were conservative, they would have buried the story. Fox is better than any news channel today. With all of the liberal media not letting conservatives speak, we need an outlet that will let them speak.

Answer 4

There are a lot of people out there who think that Fox is fair and balanced, and real journalism for that matter. These people are ignorant. There are other people, both conservative and liberal who see it for what it is- right wing commentary/right wing propaganda, depending on how you are looking at it. Fox news is not fair and balanced. See outfoxed.org or view the documentary, then decide for yourself.

Answer 5

Fair and balanced,,hmmm......that is what they say. But the public broadcasting system does the same with a liberal bend in the view they spew.
May it be said that all news networks are the strong arms for pushing one political view or another. To be fair and balanced we need all the networks. There isn't one of them that can be trusted outright.

Answer 6

I stopped watching network news around the time of 911. I saw a feeding frenzy going on that was warping the minds of Americans that eventually got us into two wars. I don't care who it is, Fox to CNN, it is all slanted. The best way I have found to be a good judge of the news is ignore it at first, see a little later how its unfolding, then when the smoke clears we can have a rough idea of how we got from A to Z and screwed ourselves in the process. Americans and news junkies live for tabloid journalism and sound bites. Life and news is not that simple. Lets look at current VS past. Most in America wanted war in the aftermath of 911 Most in America are now ashamed of that. Most in America won't admit they supported the war. Most in America wish they could do it all over again. Most in America do not learn the lessons from the past Most in America are doomed to repeat those mistakes. The lesson to be learned -- get your head out of the tube and have enough patience to let things unfold before setting the forest on fire. Peace Jim .

Answer 7

"Fair and Balanced" is a relative term. They are probably more balanced than the other network news programs. At least they usually present both sides of an issue (ie. shows like Hannity & Colmes). It is just nice not to have to watch Dan Rather anymore!

Answer 8

If your view of the world comes from television I feel sorry for you. But that is the reason that Fox News uses that slogan I think that is design for naive people of middle America. The same people that buy **** they see on infomercials at 330 am.

Answer 9

no one is fair and balanced. Not a single source can be 100% free of bias.

Now the real question is Do conservatives (or liberals for that matter) think at all?

Answer 10

I think those that don't think independently and just "follow the herd" will think it is fair and balanced. Personally, if it is news, no matter the source, it is never fair or balanced.