Politicians and competing broadcast folks who describe Fox News as being a “right-wing network” apparently haven’t tuned in recently, feels Grumpy Editor.
Getting on her soap box as a guest yesterday on Fox News Sunday to trumpet the other side of recent developments was Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.) who doubles as Democratic National Committee chairperson and, thus, is not exactly out there in right field.
Meanwhile, Lanny Davis, who served as special counsel to President Bill Clinton, made one of his frequent appearances on Fox News last Friday, tangling with Stuart Varney, the network’s business specialist.
So it’s interesting that on a recent Reliable Sources on CNN, Bill Keller, former New York Times executive editor and now that newspaper’s columnist, told host Howard Kurtz that Fox News “perfected and refined (partisan news) and brought a degree of cynicism, sort of ‘we are the fair and balanced network’ when they are the opposite of a fair and balanced network.”
While admitting the network has “very good reporters,” Keller added, “What I object to is they abandoned the journalistic discipline of trying to be fair.” (Remember, he’s focusing on Fox News, not MSNBC.)
For those who feel Fox News is not “fair and balanced,” note these regular contributors --- who are far from the far right:
Bob Beckel, a Fox News contributor, joined the network in 2000 and currently is co-host of the popular “The Five," seen Monday through Friday. He joined Fox News in 2000 and earlier worked for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
Doug Schoen, pollster and Democratic strategist, is a political analyst frequently seen on the network.
Alan Colmes, known as a “hard-hitting liberal,” has been with Fox News since 1996.
Santita Jackson, Jesse Jackson’s daughter, joined Fox News as a contributor in April.
Mara Liasson, national correspondent for National Public Radio, has been a Fox News contributor since 1997.
Juan Williams, political analyst, joined Fox News as a contributor in 1997 and now is frequently on camera with his views and often fills in for Bill O’Reilly and others.
Ellen Ratner, a contributor since 1997, is chief political correspondent and news analyst for Talk America.
Joe Trippi, a strategist for Democrats, also is seen frequently on the channel.
Kirsten Powers, political analyst and long-time Democrat, appears on a number of Fox News programs.
Leslie Marshall, radio talk show host, also gives Fox News viewers opposing views.
And look at this. Perhaps Fox News does have influence.
Geraldo Rivera, who joined Fox News 12 years ago and is host of Geraldo at Large plus contributor to other programs, revealed last Friday on the Mike Huckabee Show on radio that while he voted for Al Gore and Barack Obama for president in past national elections, he’s “on the fence now” and labels himself as “a militant centrist.”
Comments