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RSS 1.0 feed The Trouble with Fox News is in its Name
in Politics
written by Playmaker on 10/18/2009
I just read an article on the Newsweak site in which Jason Weisberg chastises Fox news for its obvious right-wing slant. It is a well-known fact that Fox does not present the news as it is, but in context of how it thinks the world should be.
This is not news. It might be entertainment -- or even infotainment as some would say -- but it is not news. We have allowed Fox to push the boundaries of what is an acceptable news story so far out that local television stations can lead their evening news show with stories about a new Fox series, an appearance of a special movie star on a show, or an advertisement for a upcoming Fox program. This is not news.
I have no problem with Fox pushing an agenda or even shock programing, because I have the almighty power of the remote. However, I do believe that it is essential that there be truth in advertising, and Fox should be prevented from calling their shows news.
I think that the FCC should allow a special license for News broadcasters (the big N here is intentional). Those who what to put up a show as being News should be required to be held to a different standard, or else should not be able to call their program News. If it's News, let's make a clear definition of what constitutes News, and hold broadcasters accountable to that definition and prevent propagandists from calling their spew news.
Here are some ideas for some standards. You can probably think of some more:
1.Pundits or wonks who appear on news shows may not be paid by the company on whose show they appear. If a person -- say a military expert, person from a think tank, and so on -- gives analysis of a news story, they may not be on the payroll of the news organization.
2. Reporters must be older than 21, have a degree in journalism and must be published. No talking heads or busty blonds with theater degrees. Reporters must also write their own copy.
3. There is nothing newsworthy in the category of entertainment, with the exception of the death of a beloved artist or athlete.
4. A demerit system should be established which punishes a News program for giving substantiated information or information that has not been corroborated by two sources. Licenses would be suspended and/or revoked after a certain number of demerits.
This is just a start. Now, I don't think that Fox should be prevented from saying whatever it wants, I just don't think they should be allowed to call it news.
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