18
Apr
20 Questions for Fox News
This is the second in a series of interviews with leading American newsmakers. As with the recent interview with CNN/US head Jonathan Klein, many of the questions are citizen-generated.
1. Do you think American media, generally speaking, is biased? If so, how so — too liberal? too conservative? too corporate? too careerist? too driven by ratings and celebrity?
2. You oversee all story content for FOX News Channel and are responsible for its editorial direction. What is the present editorial direction of FOX News? Are there any plans to change that in the near future? If so, in what way? How are decisions made concerning the overall editorial direction of FOX News?
3. By most accounts, the majority of American journalists are not conservative in their personal political beliefs. Do you find that to be so? If so, how do you counter-balance that tendency in your newsroom? Do you take people’s personal political beliefs into account when hiring — i.e., do you look to hire more conservative voices throughout your newsroom?
4. What’s the story with the infamous “morning memo” one former FOX producer decried? He claimed: “The roots of FNC’s day-to-day on-air bias are actual and direct. They come in the form of an executive memo distributed electronically each morning, addressing what stories will be covered and, often, suggesting how they should be covered. To the newsroom personnel responsible for the channel’s daytime programming, The Memo is the bible.” He also said, “Editorially, the FNC newsroom is under the constant control and vigilance of management. The pressure ranges from subtle to direct. First of all, it’s a news network run by one of the most high-profile political operatives of recent times. Everyone there understands that FNC is, to a large extent, “Roger’s Revenge” — against what he considers a liberal, pro-Democrat media establishment.” What is your reaction?
5. Some observers say that your daytime news programming is more objective and balanced than the later programming featuring opinionated personalities like Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity. Do you agree? Do you consider them to be journalists delivering news or commentators subject to a different standard?
6. I was once invited to appear on Bill O’Reilly’s program — and then uninvited when I refused to call the BBC as “the Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation” and the New York Times “the Saddam News Service.” While I am certainly critical of those news outlets at times, I thought the O’Reilly characterizations were, frankly, ludicrous. Who do you agree with — me or O’Reilly?
7. Many Americans now believe that the media, generally speaking, was too accepting of the government’s rationale for invading and occupying Iraq, that coverage in the run up to the war and beyond resembled cheerleading more than reporting, and that, in essence, the mainstream media was complicit in creating the awful conditions we see there now. How do you respond?
8. Prior to joining FOX News, you had a 14-year career at Time as both a writer and bureau chief. Before that you were a bureau chief for United Press International. Is FOX News as “fair and balanced” as those traditional news outlets, or is it more overtly conservative?
Reader-generated questions:
9. Why do you think people who watch FOX News, when polled, were disproportionately misinformed on Iraq’s connection to 9/11? (Tracy Minicucci)
10. It is not unpatriotic to disagree with a president or any other elected official. To support troops (and pray fervently they come home alive, are given the supplies they need to survive, and are prepared to understand the culture and the language) can also mean we want them home. We do not want them shipped off to illegal, immoral wars, encouraged to torture and break the Geneva Convention. To make sure they never are sent to fight unless it is truly to protect America is the biggest support we can give those who go to fight for us. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, and those brave men and women should never have been sent there because of 9/11. Why didn’t you ask questions in the news before it got to that stage? Why didn’t you point out that the big majority of the perpetrators came from Saudi Arabia and ask why we weren’t invading that country? Too many questions failed to be asked by all journalists in the media, and what a mess we have now because of that! Thank you for taking these things into consideration. (Anne Sherwood, grandmother and patriot, Kansas City, Mo.)
11. I feel that television news is trapped by its need to produce interesting images. For example, the Natalee Holloway story is driven as much by her looks and status as the crime itself. I can believe that FOX is “fair and balanced” and the other cable nets are “liberally biased.” What I cannot believe is that FOX News’ attempt to correct that bias makes any difference as to what sorts of images are needed to fill up 24 hours of all-news coverage. CNN and MSNBC have spent as much time as FOX on Natalee Holloway, and their “liberal bias” hasn’t made them shy away from covering her. Would you mind telling your audience, daily and hourly, that no amount of Fred Barnes can change the need for images to fill up airtime? Begin each broadcast hour by saying: “This next story is not to correct liberal media bias. It is simply what we have to do to get an audience this week.” Then later in the hour, you say: “This next story is to correct the liberal media bias of CNN’s “the Situation Room.” Distinguish between the two. (Bradley Laing)
12. How can FOX spend so much time on Aruba’s investigations and so little on criminal investigations of the White House? (Rich Monahan)
13. Most TV personalities can ask questions, and even dig deeper, without blatant and utter degradation of the guest. Why do you tolerate Sean Hannity’s insufferable rudeness and self-righteous “ME, ME, ME, I am always right” attitude? I turn it off when he gets started. Colmes can get the same information and mature discussion without the egotistical hot-dogging. This nation needs more respect and tolerance, and Hannity does not have a clue. (P.M. Quested)
14. Why does FOX News call itself “fair and balanced,” yet pit such a weak “liberal” as Mr. Colmes against Mr. Hannity? Why not have a stronger individual –someone like Al Franken or Ann Richards — or even Al Sharpton? Perhaps Mr. O’Connor? I might actually watch the program! (Carol Lee Colombo)
15. Why did FOX News call the election for George Bush in 2000 before we had the results from Florida, and why did it just happen to be a Bush relative at FOX who made the call? (Mike Jones)
16. With the premise that FOX NEWS makes SO much money during and including the time leading up to leading national elections Will you ever order your FOX News reporters, hosts and others to engage in a serious or ongoing discussion about REAL campaign finance reform? For example, instead of perhaps one hour of discussion in any given month or one hour per week of discussion why wouldn’t you order one hour a day of serious and “balanced” discussion for a ONE YEAR period of time? (Michael Ragsdale, New York City)
17. When talking about oil prices, why does FOX News refuse to mention that the oil companies reaped the largest profits for two quarters in a row in the history of the United States and the world? Could this not be a small inkling as to why gas prices are so high? Why is Colin Powell getting a free ride on the WMDs? If a TV show can show us the number on a license plate from a satellite, why in God’s name did we let Colin Powell get away with using those cartoon pictures? This is the biggest joke of the Bush presidency! They showed better photos during the Cuban missile crisis and nobody caught it? (Jerry Riley, CMSgt, USAF Retired)
18. Now that neoconservatism is collapsing, what will FOX do to switch to a growth market? Will FOX continue to base its market strategy on market segmentation by bias instead of quality journalism? Are we forever stuck with news-by-bias, or will there be a turn to objectivity? (Kurt Lightfoot)
19. How often to you speak directly to the White House for information in the form of either talking points for on-air distribution and/or stories they want that support their agenda?
20. What are some ways you can increase the variety of perspectives and opinions given access on your news shows?
There are so many facts that are distorted or outright lied about and there are never any retractions. How can this problem be fixed? I specifically have in mind Hannity and Colmes and O’Reilly. Some of the lies are so outrageous.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:54 pmAlthough I can understand why political bias on news reporting exists in a country so divided politically. I cant understand why Fox must report news so incompletely. Why does the soundbyte reign supreme over reasoned analysis?
April 19th, 2006 at 1:11 pmWhat I would like to know is how the Fox Network can continue to offer the trashiest, most degrading, violent, and puerile “reality” as well as “entertainment” programs, and simultaneously Fox News criticizes the “Hollywood liberals” for destroying our moral values. How do they reconcile their supposed right-wing politicization of news with their so obviously unconservative, sensationalistic, exploitative programming on the Fox Network? Or is that in fact the common marketing thread — sensationalism and exploitation?
April 19th, 2006 at 2:10 pmIn 2000, after the Florida debacle, FOX was amongst the loudest outlets decrying the “liberal media” for calling Florida before the panhandle polls had closed, thus somehow suppressing the conservative vote. Yet, FOX was the first network to call Florida for Gore that night, and did so 9 minutes before the panhandle polls closed. Do you seriously believe that people were following network coverage while waiting on the poll lines, and, if not, why did you excoriate the “liberal media” for their bias in calling Florida too early?
April 19th, 2006 at 2:15 pmI am amazed at the propriety shown all and any persons or individuals simply because they wear a particular badge. It doesn’t matter what they do, propose or support, if they wear an approved symbol then we must accord them the proper respect. I disagree whole heartedly when the actions proposed, supported or undertaken are as destructive and decietful as those which led to the Iraq war. How many innocent children and women have to be butchered in Iraq before they is an outcry, not just from the conservatives at Fox but from all the media as happened during the Vietnam war. I begin to think I am the only American who is outraged by the costs of this war, by the lies and deciet which led to this war, by the abolition of American values in the prisoner of war camps around the world, by the cost to our American way of life, and last, but certainly not least, the deaths of these innocent women and children in Iraq. Respectful, courteous? I can’t afford to be.
Al Comstock
April 19th, 2006 at 2:26 pm8 Forest St.
Attleborro, Mass 02703
5084551361
The code of conduct for displaying the American flag strongly discurages the use of our flag in advertisements. Does Fox news feel it is showing patriotism by wrapping itself in the flag on the FNC and does it care that it is insulting to patriots who may disagree with their view to associate their opinions with the flag by continuosly posting it in their background.
April 19th, 2006 at 3:56 pmRory, what’s the “Saddam News Service” story? Sounds like a good one.
April 19th, 2006 at 4:07 pmComment and Question for FOX News CEO’s.
I no longer watch Fox News because of “reporters” like Bill O’Reilly. The fact that this guy thinks he’s a reporter bothers me. A true reporter reports the truth. What comes out of Bill’s mouth is the truth mixed with lies (and more lies than truth).
The fact that Fox New’s lets him spit out so much “bull,” and on the air, is beyond me. And with all the bad publicity that surrounds Bill and his personal life, I’m surprised Fox executives continue to air his show. But, it doesn’t matter since as I mentioned, I no longer watch Fox News. CNN is my choice for reliable news reporting. When I want to hear the truth, I watch CNN.
My first question is, “How would you change your show lineup, and/or your policies, to attract people like me, my family, and my friends, since most of us no longer watch Fox News for reliable news?”
My second question is, “If Fox executives are truly conservative, and staunch Republicans, then don’t you think people like Bill O’Reilly actully hurt the conservative movement?”
I see so much corruption in the Republican Party, and hear so many lies coming from just about every conservative politician, that I will not be voting for Republicans in the next few elections. And Fox News always seems to report these lies as truths - making Fox News more like a “Comedy news channel.”
Maybe poor Bill O’Reilly is on drugs like that other guy, Rush Limbaugh. That would explain a lot.
April 19th, 2006 at 5:54 pmI just want to know what’s Patriotic about parrotting everything the Whitehouse says? Does journalism serve the people, or the people in power?
April 20th, 2006 at 3:42 amThe concept of most Americans is that fox news is anti-workers and pro-business and ignores the benevolence and tolarance of the Christian faith, what say you?
April 20th, 2006 at 6:58 amI would not change a thing FOX News. I think everything is just fine the way it is. Your ratings prove it.
April 20th, 2006 at 3:16 pmHas there been a difference in your opinion in Fox’s deference to authority during the Bush Administration than during the Clinton Administration? And as a follow up, do you feel Journalism should use it’s power to expose falsehoods and corruption by those in power?
April 20th, 2006 at 4:31 pmFor Mr. Moody of Fox News. Can you explain in detail why the four part series by Fox News reporter Carl Cameron about the “alleged” Israeli spying on the U.S., the Israeli mover/art students who were caught celebrating the bombing of the twin towers, and the story about Amdoc and other Israeli communication systems having access to most telephone records in the U.s. was pulled from airing and was taken off of the Fox News website? Could you address this issue in detail?
Thank you Kathleen Galt (a 54 year old soccer mom)
April 23rd, 2006 at 1:26 pmMr. Moody please tell us why Fox News Carl Camerons fall of 2001 4 part series having to do with “alleged” Israeli spying on the U.s., the Israeli art/mover students who were caught celebrating 9/11,Amdocs an Israeli communication system that “allegedly’ has access to most U.s. phone records was not shown on Fox News? Why was this report pulled from Fox News website?
Israel Is Spying In And On The U.S.? Part 1
BRIT HUME, HOST: It has been more than 16 years since a civilian working for the Navy was charged with passing secrets to Israel. Jonathan Pollard pled guilty to conspiracy to commit espionage and is serving a life sentence. At first, Israeli leaders claimed Pollard was part of a rogue operation, but later took responsibility for his work.
Now Fox News has learned some U.S. investigators believe that there are Israelis again very much engaged in spying in and on the U.S., who may have known things they didn’t tell us before September 11. Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron has details in the first of a four-part series.
Published: 12/12/01 FOX News. Part 1 of a 4 part series: Part 2- Part 3 - Part 4
These items have since been removed from the FOX News web site
Sincerely Kathleen Galt
April 23rd, 2006 at 2:24 pmSome of us already know that there is no official law on the books to keep news organizations from reporting falsehoods or half-truths. What is your opinion on the matter of whether this issue needs to be addressed — that of responsibility in reporting — and do you feel that news oganizations have a “duty” to citizens to report only the facts?
April 25th, 2006 at 12:36 pmI had watched FoxNews a few times and i
April 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pmtried hard to like it or at least adapt to its
ways/style but i simply could not.I felt that
there was something ideologically phony about
the personnel who presented the news.It was very
obvious to me that they were so arrogant in their bias and must say rude in claiming that it
was”Fair and Balanced”. FoxNews must be joking
in holding to that silly claim of Fair and
Balanced.
I am willing to go back and watch FoxNews
if its arrogant ways and styles have changed to the better of being indeed just real Fair and
real Balanced.FoxNews needs a real overmake up
to win back independent thinking people like me.
Sincerely,
nabih ammari
Web Host Ratings
September 10th, 2006 at 11:39 amThanks for short yet informative article. It covers most of things I wanted to know on this topic
Put the kool aid down left wing tree huggers. I watch Fox evry day and can’t believe how objective they are. They are constantly all over Bush’s admin. Republicans and anyone who is being crooked or unjust. Yes they lean right but not as hard or as obvious as CNN or MSNBC leans left.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm