In the corporate world, a communications chief --- usually someone with a strong media background --- would never be heard publicly beefing about a major news outlet. But things are different in the political world. Sounding off on a TV news network gets covered by its competitors and into print, notes Grumpy Editor.
Such is the case this week when Anita Dunn, White House communications director, describes Fox News to Time magazine: “It’s opinion journalism masquerading as news.”
Maybe she is miffed because Fox News isn’t following White House talking points echoed by other print/broadcast outlets.
Fox News stresses “fair and balanced” in its coverage and invites Democrats to spar with Republicans on news and talk shows.
As for true opinion journalism with a point of view more in line with the Obama administration, Exhibit A is cable news channel MSNBC. CNN and others are not far behind.
Fox News digs into issues that others in print and broadcasting neglect to cover.
President Barack Obama bypassed Fox News in making the network rounds last month in one-on-one interviews to push his health care plan.
Dunn, who arrived at the White House five months ago, began her career in the Jimmy Carter White House. Over the years she worked as adviser or strategist for several U.S. senators: John Glenn (D., Ohio), Bill Bradley (D., N.J.), Evan Bayh (D., Ind.), Tom Daschle (D., S.D.) and Obama when he was in the Senate.
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