Speculation

“Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism” is a documentary directed by Robert Greenwald on the conservative bias of the Fox News Channel. Through interviews with former Fox employees and other compelling and disconcerting footage, a sharp image of narrow minded disapproval for “alternative” views is reiterated time and time again. This film explores the dangers of one man owning too much. Media is controlled by so few, and when we only get what those few want us to get, the impact on society is full of unfairness.
Most of the people that spoke on this film were either media experts or former Fox employees. Some remained anonymous to maintain security with their current jobs. It had been said numerous times that while working for Fox, individuals were encouraged with cryptic memos to stay to the right wing of things, and they would, for fear of losing their job. Clara Frank, a former Fox producer, stated that she felt pushed to be conservative. An anonymous interviewee said that if “you challenge them, you are history”.
Another thing Clara Frank noticed while working for Fox and dealing with the program Hannity and Colmes, was that there were well known conservatives on the roster, but only a few unknown liberals. Conservatives made up 83% of the partisan guests. Anything that made democrats look stupid got on the air, and it was made into news- no matter how insignificant.
When news comes from one ideological perspective, it thwarts the public. What happens to our right to know is that it gets smudged out. If you think back to Edward S. Herman, he discusses the problems with corporate ownership, and it’s veer from democracy. He states that “The power of the US propaganda system lies in its ability to mobilize an elite consensus, to give an appearance of democratic consent, and to create enough confusion, misunderstanding, and apathy to allow elite programs to go forward (p261)”. His argument is that news gets framed around elite interests, and that is where the debate lies.
Unfortunately during campaigning and election times, getting biased information can really injure the public’s chances at a “fair and balanced” decision. According to media expert Jeff Cohen of FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting), what people learn about candidates is what media tells them. This can be discussed in relation to Fox’s image of being patriotic and being true Americans. When you go on as a guest and share opposing views, for example with BIll O’Reilly, you get pegged as anti-American. With images of flags flowing behind every newscaster, who could possibly make a better call on whose American enough?
It is scary to think that Fox has so much control. Just think of the last election. When Fox announced Bush won the election, every other network news station followed their lead, turning what was a jump the gun assumption into a perceived fact. This system of control is partly made up of the generation of fear and doubt. As long as the American public thinks bad things are happening to them, or good things are happening because of the war, they are more likely going to back up anything that “seems” like it is working. From using 9/11 families to evoke sympathy and create support for war (Jeremy Glick on Bill O’Reilly Factor), to showing footage of a happy Iraq... everything comes from the promotion department, even if it is subjugating the public.
Author John Nichols stated that a “narrow discourse” equals a “lesser democracy”. I believe this is true. How can you have a fair and balanced media when it is owned by such a powerful conservative man as Rupert Murdoch? He is using his power and money to manipulate the media at the expense of democracy. In the Information Society Reader Garnham suggests the following: "Journalists are not in any way accountable to the public they claim to serve and themselves constitute a distinct interest. How then are we to ensure that this expository function [balance and objectivity, information search and exposition] is carried out responsibly (p364)?"
In order to regain a democratic media, society needs to rely on other sources, no matter what your beliefs or views. Fair.org specifically states that “almost all media that reach a large audience in the United States are owned by for-profit corporations.” This cannot be ignored. The obvious conflict of interest is putting what we deserve to know at risk. Responsible journalism will not prevail if news is dictated by money and power.