Does Fox News now essentially operate as State TV for the White House ?
56-60, M
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Consider the following. Politics aside for a moment. Fox in the US and Australia and Sky in Britain are all Murdoch controlled Media. And there is a common theme. They each have a presentation set designed to appeal to a Jerry Springer viewer audience. Commentators (not reporters) like Hannity and Andrew Bolt work to inflame public opinion and outrage.
Now it is just possible this is not out of political concern. But a model of broad appeal to the lowest common denominator for advertising, for the bottom of the market advertising dollar. Or, as pushed, its a global pro right wing. political power grab.
Now it is just possible this is not out of political concern. But a model of broad appeal to the lowest common denominator for advertising, for the bottom of the market advertising dollar. Or, as pushed, its a global pro right wing. political power grab.
RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M
@whowasthatmaskedman It's actually both and , being British , I already know all about Murdoch's corrupting influence.
Try and find the time if you can to read this jaw-dropping piece ;
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/11/the-making-of-the-fox-news-white-house
Try and find the time if you can to read this jaw-dropping piece ;
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/11/the-making-of-the-fox-news-white-house
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@RodionRomanovitch Jaw dropping, but not surprising.
But in the scheme of things, Trumps role in all this is not important. Hes just a cog in the machine, as President. The Presidencies of Clinton, Obama and now Trump have clearly pointed up that the President has remarkably little power, when faced with a hostile Congress or Senate. And that doesnt have to mean one of the opposite political persuasion. Lobby groups and special interests like the NRA have influence that can block a bill and did over and over. Or pervert a bill like the Affordable Health care act until it was a monster completely devoid of its original thrust and direction. Then we come to the challenges of the States, who can hold anything up with legal challenges and outright refusal to comply. And Murdoch and friends can apply pressure at any of those levels. And they do.
But In reality, none of this matters in the grand scheme. Presidents come and go. Senates and congresses swing and even lobbies fade and grow.
But in the end, the Economy truth will wash all this away and America will cease to have the world influence that makes it the lynch-pin of Murdoch power. I doubt China will entertain his brand of journalism. But on the other hand, hes not likely to live to see it.
But in the scheme of things, Trumps role in all this is not important. Hes just a cog in the machine, as President. The Presidencies of Clinton, Obama and now Trump have clearly pointed up that the President has remarkably little power, when faced with a hostile Congress or Senate. And that doesnt have to mean one of the opposite political persuasion. Lobby groups and special interests like the NRA have influence that can block a bill and did over and over. Or pervert a bill like the Affordable Health care act until it was a monster completely devoid of its original thrust and direction. Then we come to the challenges of the States, who can hold anything up with legal challenges and outright refusal to comply. And Murdoch and friends can apply pressure at any of those levels. And they do.
But In reality, none of this matters in the grand scheme. Presidents come and go. Senates and congresses swing and even lobbies fade and grow.
But in the end, the Economy truth will wash all this away and America will cease to have the world influence that makes it the lynch-pin of Murdoch power. I doubt China will entertain his brand of journalism. But on the other hand, hes not likely to live to see it.
RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M
@whowasthatmaskedman He's in a bad way apparently after a recent fall. I thought one of the most intesting points came at the end of the piece when they were speculating what would happen once his son took over day to day running of Fox. Maybe , just maybe , they can get back to being a (semi)legitimate news organisation. We can only hope.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@RodionRomanovitch We can hope.. But Business is business. If the answer is they are chasing the lowest common denominator for advertising, then I dont expect much change. The fear and hate $ is easy to grab and spends just like any other. And fear hate greed and Paranoia all sell so well in America that they are trying to export it. It sells here, but to a much lesser extend.
RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M
@whowasthatmaskedman Shameful is the only word for it. And to think that Trump has a perfectly good message of a good economy to run on and yet he is going to try and scare people to death about immigrant invaders , the evil of socialism and Democrats who want to kill babies. The people who fall for this stuff really do deserve what they get.