Is it just me or is this an oxymoron?

@jerzgirl (9234)
United States
June 19, 2009 1:38pm CST
Fox News claims that it is "fair and balanced". But, recently, Fox's senior vice president, Bill Shine, said in an interview with NPR that their goal is to be "the voice of opposition" to the Obama administration. Can anyone explain to me how that is fair and balanced? When I was in school, I was taught that journalism was to be unbiased. OpEd pieces were different, but the actual reporting of news was meant to be without bias. So, when a senior exec of a network states that their goal is to oppose the current administration (or, on the obverse, to support them), doesn't that fly in the face of balance? Is it just me who thinks this?
5 responses
@ElicBxn (63246)
• United States
19 Jun 09
well, lets face it, when the other "News" channels are little more than mouthpieces for the Democrates and the Obama administration, what's wrong with one network reporting news from the other point of view?
@ElicBxn (63246)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I think they are taking the view that everything has 2 sides (when they don't actually have 6-10 other sides) and they are the balance to the liberal slant of the other stations.
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
19 Jun 09
It's not the position they hold, it's that they claim to be balanced while holding it, and, until recently, denying any bias.
1 person likes this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
19 Jun 09
I've believed that for some time now, anyone who watches the news programs can see it. I believe the most non-partison new comes from NPR, World News with Martin Savage, PBS reports and news. To get the most documented information a person can watch shows such as Nightline. There's no question that FOX is biased, but you won't get many republicans or conservatives to admit it. They will probably jump all over your post.
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Oh, I know they're biased, as are most other major news networks (although, not quite so openly). My point of contention, if there is one, is that their senior VP openly admits their goal is bias even as they claim to be balanced. I can't see one coexisting with the other. That's not to say that news should NEVER oppose those in charge. Without true reporting, Watergate might have gone unresolved.
@jeneias (608)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Fox News IS biased. Plain & simple. They are just ignorant and want everyone to think how they think. And if not, "you suck!" Basically. That's why nowadays I don't watch Fox News. News in general is negative enough as it is, I don't need Fox to add more gas to the fire.
• United States
19 Jun 09
I don't think it's just FOX News. Can you think of any American news channels with journalistic integrity and unbiased reporting?
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
19 Jun 09
But, they don't call themselves "fair and balanced" either.
• United States
19 Jun 09
I thought they dropped the 'fair and balanced' slogan
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
19 Jun 09
Nope. I just went to their website and it's there next to their logo.