Fox News: Fair & Balanced?

The claim of "fair and balanced" gets arguments started.  Most detractors say that FoxNews is nothing more than a right wing media front.  Most fans will say that FoxNews is the only media that delivers news not approved by the left wing media front.

It's a given that the mainstream media as delivered by the major networks is left leaning, and in some cases ultra liberal.  Examples cited often relate to Obama getting a free ride during the PotUS race while the opponents faced tough questions and harsh reviews.  On the other hand, detractors of FoxNews will point out that FoxNews was giving no good press on Obama, while promoting only Republican candidates.

So we get to the point where we have to acknowledge that it's probably not possible to be "both" Fair and Balanced in this particular media.  This would require that all of the candidates were given an unbiased assessment of pros and cons.  Were FoxNews to be "fair" in this manner, the public would still be missing balance.

As we throw a little logic into the mix, we find that the things that detractors hate about FoxNews are the things that make it Balanced.  In order to balance mainstream media, the "other side" has to be delivered.  Since the liberal opinions are promoted on outlets like ABC and MSNBC, FoxNews seems to be the only outlet delivering the other side of those issues.

Now we get to a bit of a stretch on the word "fair".  Although FoxNews does have a conservative slant, we have already determined that it is required that both sides get out.  Since FoxNews is the major outlet of the other side of the story, it is "fair" that they exist and provide the other side.

This still doesn't accommodate the "level" of fairness or balance.  The thought that FoxNews is an ultra right wing organization with "out there" reporting needs a reality check.  Were fox news to perform as Rush Limbaugh does, going off the deep end twisting things around for entertainment to extremes, just as the ultra liberal outlets do, then yes FoxNews would be in that category.  However, FoxNews does not twist to the right as far as others twist to the left.  This is where FoxNews, although primarily leaning conservative, IS performing in a Fair and Balanced nature when compared to the "other side".