http://www.crooksandliars.com/Media/Download/18829/1/TDS-LewisBlack-RWParanoia.w mv

"...is part of a trend by conservative movement to turn, what they see as left leaning unfair biased media, into right leaning unfair biased media."

That's not fair and balanced. It is doing something a sub-group of us would consider fair, and that is necessary to bring balance. Anyone really interested in being "fair and balanced" would be seeking to insure media is more fair, generally speaking, as being biased is something we simply cannot avoid, seeing as how the known facts are simply not complete enough to negate the need for opinion.

Sorry, love Lewis Black and had to share.

"Anyone really interested in being "fair and balanced" would be seeking to insure media is more fair.."

That's precisely why Fox News is fair and balanced. Unlike CNN and others of their ilk, Fox News presents more than one side of an issue, and it's not all softballs, a la Larry King.

Herb

You're right about Fox being balanced. They give both President Bush's views and Vice President Dick Cheney's views. And sometimes they throw in a liberal punching bag like alan colmes to make themselves look "fair."

Andrew

You libs overlook the fact that Fox News is loaded with a lot from your own tribe. Greta VanSustren is liberal, Geraldo Rivera is so far left he can't even get his car to make a right turns. Alan Colmes, though pretty stupid, is a flaming liberal. These people occupy a heavy portion of Fox's prime time.

What is confusing you is that when a fair and balanced presentation comes along, compared to what you are accustomed to from other media, it seems right wing.

That bit is gonna get refuted. I've not time at the moment, but just know it's coming.

We've been through the Fox news thing already. I'm more interested in exploring Herb's contention that "CNN and others of their ilk" only present one side of an issue. Without sarcasm I ask:

How many sides need to be presented before news is "fair and balanced"?

What should "fair and balanced" mean?

Can a news organization report facts and be unbiased? Or is fact selection a form of agenda setting, and therefore biased?

BTW, almost everyone on both sides acknowledges that Larry King is a joke. If he ever had relevance as a news source, it ended years ago. Let's not degrade the discussion by invoking him as an example.

"How many sides need to be presented before news is "fair and balanced"?"

I suppose it depends upon who's ox is being gored.

But your question also begs the question of how a so-called 'fairness doctrine' could be fair if it doesn't provide many sides. And notice how only talk radio is affected. It appears that a doctrine of fairness doesn't apply to those in TV and print media.

Herb

OK. You guys forced me to learn something, dammit; Find a file host.

Here's the over-hyped interview I've been trying to get you guys to listen to.

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=audio&file=PDX_Radio_points.mp3

A good interview, CJ. It is late and I don't have time to an extended response to the ideas presented (I largely agree with them). You get extra bonus points for sharing an interview when they make comparisons to the Edsel at 8:10 (though the analogy is unfortunately factually incorrect)

Also, here's a related link, about the Dem's less-than-stellar ability to get the message out:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/28/when-democrats-learn-to-speak-plainly/

"But your question also begs the question of how a so-called 'fairness doctrine' could be fair if it doesn't provide many sides. And notice how only talk radio is affected. It appears that a doctrine of fairness doesn't apply to those in TV and print media."

And your question begs the question about my question, which is: how can Fox News claim to be "fair and balanced" if it doesn't provide many sides? It almost always provides only two. Yet you seem satisfied with the "balance" at Fox. Would you be satisfied with a fairness doctrine that held all broadcast stations to the same level of fairness that FNC claims to hold itself to?

BTW, I don't believe a new Fairness Doctrine would only apply to talk radio. However, due to the highly partisan nature of most talk radio, it would be most affected by a new fairness doctrine.

yawn, over and over again we go. how the heck does "fair and balanced" FOX News mislead so many people into believing WMDs have been found in Iraq? How come the other so-called "lefty" networks score better?

"...how can Fox News claim to be "fair and balanced" if it doesn't provide many sides? It almost always provides only two."

Fox News CAN claim to be "fair and balanced" because many on the left never even show more than ONE view. Kudos to Fox for providing far more balance than the left.

Whenever I listen to NPR, or watch MSNBC or CNN, it never ceases to amaze me how they actually think we don't notice their slant on the news and the fact that they often never provide an alternative view. And my, my...it's typically the conservative view that's missing.

A case in point is last night on OPB. They talked about bald eagle habitat being endangered...even though just recently bald eagles are now off the endangered list. But I didn't see any ornithologist, biologist or developer interviewed who explained how we might accomplish both limited, controlled development of places to live and work AND have continued growth in the number of these glorious birds of prey. Instead, it was simply pathetic head shaking and hand-wringing. And of course, those who don't buy their view hook, line and sinker are either the unenlightened or simply the bad guy.

I love bald eagles, but at its core, it was yet another subtle and biased 'hit piece.'

Herb

This video clip will show you how disparate the left is to keep Fox News from disseminating the truth.

http://www.breitbart.tv/html/2329.html

Ha. You had me all loaded for bear...until I watched it.

Funny.

In a way,Fox News could be called very "fair and balanced".

Broadcasting equal amounts of fact & fiction.

As if the left can claim any high ground.
But no wonder they're so mad at Fox News.
Were I the leftist networks, I wouldn't want my monopoly taken away, either.

Herb

Lewis Black got a smoothie from me at one of my downtown restaurants last week before performing at the Schnitz. I had no clue who he was, he totally looked like an unassuming man in thick glasses, real nice guy, asking me about the wheat grass ... I asked him if he had a night club (again not knowing who he was, and seeing "Black Humour, Inc." on his credit card) and he told me he was performing at the Schnitz ... one of my employees swooned at the sight of Lewis Black, it was funny.

Not related whatsoever to this thread other than it's about Lewis Black, just mentioning that it was cool!

Herb said - " Were I the leftist networks, I wouldn't want my monopoly taken away, either. "

Do you honestly think that is what motivates people to challenge the " Fair and Balanced " slogan from Fox? Fear of competition? There is nothing else that could possibly at issue here?

Chickenjuggler, I wish you were right.

You're seeing the way it should be, and I'm seeing it the way it probably is.

But think it over. The left has had dominated the press for a long, long time.

Herb

You wish I was right about what? I haven't even said anything to be right about. I asked you what YOU believe.