Dave, I haven't read your full article yet, but I have been saying for awhile and louder lately, Fox News is killing this country. When you hear things from the mouths of your "good" neighbors that you know come straight from Fox News or WHO radio, you just cringe. We are so much better than that!
I still can't wrap my mind around the beliefs of some Republicans. Some of them are otherwise intelligent people, but they can't see the nonsense in what they believe. I've let this occupy my mind for way too long. There is no figuring it out. I could never be a psychiatrist. The human mind is ineffable.
IMO, Iowa’s swirl downward politically began with the introduction of the Rush Limbaugh show on radio WHO back in the late 1980s. Many who had previously listened for fair and accurate news, farm markets and uplifting stories about good Iowans soon became subjected to a daily barrage of dark “humor,” racial and sexual attacks and simple arrogance. Of course, he liked to frame his comments as “entertainment.” That makes me sad.
Who knew? (Or maybe Julie Gammack knew) that the Iowa Writers Collaborative may become a developing, significant, and soon an essential source of factual information for Iowans?
BTW, I have found the Iowa Capital Dispatch to be one of my favorite places to read factual and important Iowa news.
Thanks, Jim. I started my career at WHO Radio and we worked hard to provide even coverage. But that was before Reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine, which required federally-licensed broadcasters to provide balanced coverage.
I agree Rush damaged our country badly. And it was not only him, because WHO added a local conservative talk host in the mornings and late afternoons then played more syndicated conservative talk in the evenings. It’s outrageous.
Then Roger Ailes compounded the damage by creating Fox News. If you have to promote yourself as “fair and balanced”, it’s a pretty good bet that you’re anything but.
Dave -- Is there anything the FCC can do to regulate the amount of misinformation spread by Fox News? That might be a naive question, but I truly wonder how Fox News gets away with what they broadcast.
Amy, if you ask this about Fox, you have to pose the same questions about all cable news networks. Fox News, CNN and MSNBC enjoy the same First Amendment right as you and I. If consumers believe in misinformation from either the left or right, that is the viewers' problem not the government's. But the basic answer to your original question is that the FCC has limited power. Thanks for the question.
Amy, the FCC has limited enforcement powers over content of a cable network because those networks aren’t using the public airwaves. They’re not licensed like radio and TV stations are.
When I see your column in my inbox it is always one of the first things I open. So glad you are writing it! About banning Fox News: I've also fanaticized about its demise and the good it would do America and the world but we understand we don't work that way. I think "we are what we eat" and removing propaganda from the low-information class would reduce some of the craziness. However, I suspect the opposite is also true...if you took away MSNBC, The New Yorker, The New York Times and maybe The Atlantic from my information diet, I would probably have a different outlook, too.
Dave, I don't watch any of the cable news networks but you could just as easily substitute Democrat for every time you wrote Republican or GOP. You could also substitute CNN and MSNBC for every time you mentioned FOX. Every one of these media is ideologically biased so none is better nor worse than the other. A senior producer for the NBC Nightly News told me how outraged the majority of the network's news operation's staff was about the Ronna McDaniel hire. I'm always surprised when corporate decisions are made without consulting those most affected. NBC executives could have simply asked, "If we hire Ronna McDaniel, can you work with her?" That answer would have saved the network lots of embarrassment. Or ask interns. They have no job insecurities and will tell you the truth quickly.
Steve, I always appreciate your perspective. We come at journalism issues from different viewpoints, and I enjoy the debate.
I certainly admit that MSNBC, at least, has a strong liberal bias. In my view, CNN is more centric. But I draw a clear line of distinction between those two networks and the lies, distortions and misinformation prevalent on Fox News.
What FACTS do CNN and MSNBC get wrong?
Fox passed along lies to its viewers and they knew all along they were wrong but were too afraid of alienating their core audience to tell them the truth. They admitted guilt by paying Dominion $787 million and they likely will pay more to Smartmatic.
It is a cardinal sin of journalism. Unforgivable. They have lost credibility forever. I will never equate them on the same level as CNN or MSNBC.
Dave, I will never defend Fox News and I agree with your criticism and others.
Regarding CNN, it lost credibility when it erroneously reported in June of 2012 that the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) had struck down the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—also known as Obama Care. In fact, SCOTUS said the act was a tax and therefore WAS constitutional.
CNN had days to assign its best legal correspondent to cover this major story and blew it. Yes, Fox blew it, too, --both rushed to report rather than pause to reflect.
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell had to apologize for his wrong report about alleged financial ties between President Trump and Russian oligarchs. Lost credibility there, too.
The NY Times, Washington Post and Politico have all reported on MSNBC’s drift to the left. So it’s not surprising that these ideological biases on ALL cable news reports result in mistakes such as these.
So these are two examples of reporting errors by both CNN and MSNBC. And, of course, Fox has a litany of them.
Again, I don’t watch any of the cable news networks because they all specialize in commentary rather than reporting. Thanks for the exchange.
Well, okay, CNN made a mistake under deadline pressure and corrected it within minutes, while also apologizing for the error. Fox also made a mistake on the ACA story, corrected it, but of course did NOT apologize. Twelve years ago. That’s a long way from a months-long, if not years-long campaign of intentional lies and distortions about a supposed stolen election. All journalists make mistakes and their credibility increases when they admit the error and apologize. Intentionally misleading your audience in a misguided attempt at protecting ratings is an ethical violation of the worst kind.
I don’t think we’re that far apart on the issue. I simply don’t believe it’s fair to tar CNN and MSNBC with the same brush as Fox “News”.
No, we are not that far apart on this issue. As I wrote, I don't watch any of the cable news channels but support the right of others who do. It's a constitutional guarantee of free speech. As much as you and I both deploy Fox News, the Supreme Court (not the current one) has repeatedly ruled that lying is protected by the First Amendment--most notably decision in 1964, 1988, 2007 and 2012. Instead of banning Fox News, we need more discerning news consumers.
Former Nixon White House counsel, Watergate figure, convicted felon and disbarred attorney John Dean spoke at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in March 1975, just seven months after President' Nixon's resignation, as part of the university's Controversial Speakers program. His appearance was picketed bu students and others. Protestors said he was profiting off his crime on the speaking circuit. As I recall, they laid protest placards at the base of the podium from which he spoke. Fifty years later, Mr. Dean is a frequent guest contributor on infotainment shows on CNN, MSNBC and elsewhere. He also authored a bestselling book about it all "Blind Ambition," which was made in to a TV movie starring Martin Sheen as Mr. Dean. As part of a plea deal in exchange for his testimony in the Watergate affair, Mr. Dean pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced by Judge John Sirica to one to four years in prison -- later commuted to time served, four months. What's the difference between John Dean and Ronna McDaniel? He has a felony conviction on her record. She doesn't. Of course I understand why some at MSNBC objected to her hiring, But aren't some folks being selective in their indignation, when they afford Mr. Dean celebrity status now? Or were those college kids who picketed his appearance at UNI in '75 just being young, idealistic and silly?
And a footnote to Gannett dropping AP: the Gazette in Cedar Rapids dropped AP for a time a decade or so ago, but apparently have since resumed its affiliation, since I see AP stories on its webpage
Thanks, Pat. Dean seems to have achieved senior, respected status. It’s been 50 years. And his perspective is certainly valuable about the palace intrigue we’re currently living through.
Thanks, Dave. Fox news is dangerous. I think Rupert Murdoch has done more than anyone to destroy democracy in our country. There was a study done in 2012 by Farleigh Dickinson University that found people who got their news from Fox knew less about what was happening in our country than people who never watched the news. I would think that would be even more true today. Those viewers are fed little more than outright lies. The people who anchor their evening “news” are not journalists. In my opinion, they are all mouthpieces for the MAGA wing of the republican party. They are dangerous.
Agree completely. I don’t know how any sensible person can ever trust them after what they’ve done. I would imagine a fair number of Fox viewers understand they’re getting a skewed view of events, but they accept it because it makes them feel better.
Dave, I haven't read your full article yet, but I have been saying for awhile and louder lately, Fox News is killing this country. When you hear things from the mouths of your "good" neighbors that you know come straight from Fox News or WHO radio, you just cringe. We are so much better than that!
I still can't wrap my mind around the beliefs of some Republicans. Some of them are otherwise intelligent people, but they can't see the nonsense in what they believe. I've let this occupy my mind for way too long. There is no figuring it out. I could never be a psychiatrist. The human mind is ineffable.
I wish I understood what’s happened to people’s common sense.
Thanks for another insightful article, Dave!
IMO, Iowa’s swirl downward politically began with the introduction of the Rush Limbaugh show on radio WHO back in the late 1980s. Many who had previously listened for fair and accurate news, farm markets and uplifting stories about good Iowans soon became subjected to a daily barrage of dark “humor,” racial and sexual attacks and simple arrogance. Of course, he liked to frame his comments as “entertainment.” That makes me sad.
Who knew? (Or maybe Julie Gammack knew) that the Iowa Writers Collaborative may become a developing, significant, and soon an essential source of factual information for Iowans?
BTW, I have found the Iowa Capital Dispatch to be one of my favorite places to read factual and important Iowa news.
Thanks, Jim. I started my career at WHO Radio and we worked hard to provide even coverage. But that was before Reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine, which required federally-licensed broadcasters to provide balanced coverage.
I agree Rush damaged our country badly. And it was not only him, because WHO added a local conservative talk host in the mornings and late afternoons then played more syndicated conservative talk in the evenings. It’s outrageous.
Then Roger Ailes compounded the damage by creating Fox News. If you have to promote yourself as “fair and balanced”, it’s a pretty good bet that you’re anything but.
Dave -- Is there anything the FCC can do to regulate the amount of misinformation spread by Fox News? That might be a naive question, but I truly wonder how Fox News gets away with what they broadcast.
Amy, if you ask this about Fox, you have to pose the same questions about all cable news networks. Fox News, CNN and MSNBC enjoy the same First Amendment right as you and I. If consumers believe in misinformation from either the left or right, that is the viewers' problem not the government's. But the basic answer to your original question is that the FCC has limited power. Thanks for the question.
Amy, the FCC has limited enforcement powers over content of a cable network because those networks aren’t using the public airwaves. They’re not licensed like radio and TV stations are.
When I see your column in my inbox it is always one of the first things I open. So glad you are writing it! About banning Fox News: I've also fanaticized about its demise and the good it would do America and the world but we understand we don't work that way. I think "we are what we eat" and removing propaganda from the low-information class would reduce some of the craziness. However, I suspect the opposite is also true...if you took away MSNBC, The New Yorker, The New York Times and maybe The Atlantic from my information diet, I would probably have a different outlook, too.
Thanks for the kind words, Rod.
I read many of the same outlets as you. I’d like to know where it’s possible to get conservative viewpoints without the lies and misinformation.
Dave, I don't watch any of the cable news networks but you could just as easily substitute Democrat for every time you wrote Republican or GOP. You could also substitute CNN and MSNBC for every time you mentioned FOX. Every one of these media is ideologically biased so none is better nor worse than the other. A senior producer for the NBC Nightly News told me how outraged the majority of the network's news operation's staff was about the Ronna McDaniel hire. I'm always surprised when corporate decisions are made without consulting those most affected. NBC executives could have simply asked, "If we hire Ronna McDaniel, can you work with her?" That answer would have saved the network lots of embarrassment. Or ask interns. They have no job insecurities and will tell you the truth quickly.
Steve, I always appreciate your perspective. We come at journalism issues from different viewpoints, and I enjoy the debate.
I certainly admit that MSNBC, at least, has a strong liberal bias. In my view, CNN is more centric. But I draw a clear line of distinction between those two networks and the lies, distortions and misinformation prevalent on Fox News.
What FACTS do CNN and MSNBC get wrong?
Fox passed along lies to its viewers and they knew all along they were wrong but were too afraid of alienating their core audience to tell them the truth. They admitted guilt by paying Dominion $787 million and they likely will pay more to Smartmatic.
It is a cardinal sin of journalism. Unforgivable. They have lost credibility forever. I will never equate them on the same level as CNN or MSNBC.
Dave, I will never defend Fox News and I agree with your criticism and others.
Regarding CNN, it lost credibility when it erroneously reported in June of 2012 that the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) had struck down the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—also known as Obama Care. In fact, SCOTUS said the act was a tax and therefore WAS constitutional.
CNN had days to assign its best legal correspondent to cover this major story and blew it. Yes, Fox blew it, too, --both rushed to report rather than pause to reflect.
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell had to apologize for his wrong report about alleged financial ties between President Trump and Russian oligarchs. Lost credibility there, too.
The NY Times, Washington Post and Politico have all reported on MSNBC’s drift to the left. So it’s not surprising that these ideological biases on ALL cable news reports result in mistakes such as these.
So these are two examples of reporting errors by both CNN and MSNBC. And, of course, Fox has a litany of them.
Again, I don’t watch any of the cable news networks because they all specialize in commentary rather than reporting. Thanks for the exchange.
Well, okay, CNN made a mistake under deadline pressure and corrected it within minutes, while also apologizing for the error. Fox also made a mistake on the ACA story, corrected it, but of course did NOT apologize. Twelve years ago. That’s a long way from a months-long, if not years-long campaign of intentional lies and distortions about a supposed stolen election. All journalists make mistakes and their credibility increases when they admit the error and apologize. Intentionally misleading your audience in a misguided attempt at protecting ratings is an ethical violation of the worst kind.
I don’t think we’re that far apart on the issue. I simply don’t believe it’s fair to tar CNN and MSNBC with the same brush as Fox “News”.
No, we are not that far apart on this issue. As I wrote, I don't watch any of the cable news channels but support the right of others who do. It's a constitutional guarantee of free speech. As much as you and I both deploy Fox News, the Supreme Court (not the current one) has repeatedly ruled that lying is protected by the First Amendment--most notably decision in 1964, 1988, 2007 and 2012. Instead of banning Fox News, we need more discerning news consumers.
Former Nixon White House counsel, Watergate figure, convicted felon and disbarred attorney John Dean spoke at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in March 1975, just seven months after President' Nixon's resignation, as part of the university's Controversial Speakers program. His appearance was picketed bu students and others. Protestors said he was profiting off his crime on the speaking circuit. As I recall, they laid protest placards at the base of the podium from which he spoke. Fifty years later, Mr. Dean is a frequent guest contributor on infotainment shows on CNN, MSNBC and elsewhere. He also authored a bestselling book about it all "Blind Ambition," which was made in to a TV movie starring Martin Sheen as Mr. Dean. As part of a plea deal in exchange for his testimony in the Watergate affair, Mr. Dean pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and was sentenced by Judge John Sirica to one to four years in prison -- later commuted to time served, four months. What's the difference between John Dean and Ronna McDaniel? He has a felony conviction on her record. She doesn't. Of course I understand why some at MSNBC objected to her hiring, But aren't some folks being selective in their indignation, when they afford Mr. Dean celebrity status now? Or were those college kids who picketed his appearance at UNI in '75 just being young, idealistic and silly?
And a footnote to Gannett dropping AP: the Gazette in Cedar Rapids dropped AP for a time a decade or so ago, but apparently have since resumed its affiliation, since I see AP stories on its webpage
Thanks, Pat. Dean seems to have achieved senior, respected status. It’s been 50 years. And his perspective is certainly valuable about the palace intrigue we’re currently living through.
Thanks, Dave. Fox news is dangerous. I think Rupert Murdoch has done more than anyone to destroy democracy in our country. There was a study done in 2012 by Farleigh Dickinson University that found people who got their news from Fox knew less about what was happening in our country than people who never watched the news. I would think that would be even more true today. Those viewers are fed little more than outright lies. The people who anchor their evening “news” are not journalists. In my opinion, they are all mouthpieces for the MAGA wing of the republican party. They are dangerous.
Agree completely. I don’t know how any sensible person can ever trust them after what they’ve done. I would imagine a fair number of Fox viewers understand they’re getting a skewed view of events, but they accept it because it makes them feel better.