Comments on: Fox New: Is “Fair and Balanced” “ridiculous”?

By: David Giacalone

David Giacalone — Sat, 24 Jul 2004 12:11:06 +0000

Given a choice of sources, most people choose ones that tell them what they want to hear -- and then they convince themselves that their news is fair and balanced (or doesn't need to be).

For a lighter take on the mottoes and slogans used by the news media, see Frivolous and Bollixed.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 24 Jul 2004 06:54:50 +0000

I have to agree with Mike on his earlier comment. I don't think Lessig is a hypocrite, but I think this preoccupation with Fox is a great waste of energy. All it does is pit his identity and work against people that have chosen to watch Fox. For what gain? All you have to do is state you who are, forget about what you are not.

By: Nate

Nate — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 11:24:01 +0000

It is true that traditionally modern conservatism has leaned toward individualism and individual rights. I think a lot of the complaints against the Bush White House has been the way it has veered away from this view of conservatism and lurched toward taking away rights. Oh, all for a plausible purpose, naturally, but there you are. That's why even some traditional conservatives who believe in state's rights and smaller government are against the Bush team for building up federal power and increasing the role of government in American's lives. It's a strange world.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 01:21:24 +0000

Rob, you're reasoning amounts to saying a = --a. Find a post-graduate mathematician or a philosophy student who's taken elementary logic to fully explain the error of your supposition.

I'll try, briefly...

Part of my value system as a Republican is that I believe murder is wrong. You disagree with my political views. Therefore, you must believe murder is right.

-kd

By: Jardinero1

Jardinero1 — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 14:02:33 +0000

I want to belong to the winning group.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:22:20 +0000

Definitions from Merriam-Webster Online:

Liberal..."5 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms"

Liberalism:..."a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties"

Conservative..."tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions"

Conservatism..."a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change"

Since I think we can all agree that a conservative is not a liberal, that would imply that conservatives do not "[believe] in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, [or] the autonomy of the individual and [do not stand] for the protection of political and civil liberties".

Hmm, which group would I rather belong to?

By: The Lonewacko Blog

The Lonewacko Blog — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 19:24:46 +0000

This just in from Federal Trade Commission Chairman Timothy J. Muris: " I am not aware of any instance in which the Federal Trade Commission has investigated the slogan of a news organization. There is no way to evaluate this petition without evaluating the content of the news at issue. That is a task the First Amendment leaves to the American people, not a government agency.

By: The Lonewacko Blog

The Lonewacko Blog — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 17:24:59 +0000

Could someone who's familiar with the "big picture" tell me what the "end game" is?

Once the FTC strips Fox of their slogan, will that be it? Or, are the moderates of MoveOn trying to force Fox to truly be "fair and balanced" like the other networks, the NYT, the LAT, etc. etc.?

And, will there be purges?

And, why does MoveOn in their complaint letter complain about Fox not having "progressive" guests? Shouldn't they have said, "liberal?" Or, are they admitting they're watermelons?

By: David

David — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 10:32:36 +0000

First, I don't think Lessig is bringing forward the case that the other TV outlets are perfect, he's only making the case that Fox News is pro-conservative, which, if you bother reading his article, has been as much as admited by Fox News itself. Second, the DMCA and all the anti-free-culture things are no monopoly of the RP or the DP. Third, the kind of electoral system in the US, more than any media bias, is guilty of the two-party mindset: proof: the UK vs continental Europe.

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 22:11:43 +0000

I find it interesting that my arguments remain ignored other than anon who wrongly assumed I'm in favor of Nader (I'm not). The networks are all conservative. It's a Right Wing lie told over decades that have convinced people that there is a mainstream liberal media. They are all conservative, just varying in degrees.