Conservative-Funded Study: Fox News Gives Most Balanced Coverage

A study released this month by the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) at George Mason University found that Fox News Channel's evening coverage was more "balanced" than that of the broadcast networks. However, the objectivity of the CMPA, which bills itself as a nonpartisan media watchdog group, is questionable, as the Center for Media and Democracy's SourceWatch found that "nearly all its funding comes from conservative foundations."

The conservative-funded study, which also claimed that TV election news has been most critical of Hillary Clinton and friendliest to Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama, found the following on the balance of Fox's coverage:

Who's Fair and Balanced?: Fox News Channel's coverage was more balanced toward both parties than the broadcast networks were. On FOX, evaluations of all Democratic candidates combined were split almost evenly - 51% positive vs. 49% negative, as were all evaluations of GOP candidates - 49% positive vs. 51% negative, producing a perfectly balanced 50-50 split for all candidates of both parties.

On the three broadcast networks, opinion on Democratic candidates split 47% positive vs. 53% negative, while evaluations of Republicans were more negative - 40% positive vs. 60% negative. For both parties combined, network evaluations were almost 3 to 2 negative in tone, i.e. 41% positive vs. 59% negative.

To download a PDF of the report, click here.

Comments

[Simonne]

I watch Foxnews because it is fair & balanced which you don't see on the networks. I like Obama but I am disgusted that the democrats didn't have enough guts to debate on Foxnews when the republicans debated on CNN (they like Hillary)& Msnbc. On the republican side, I like McCain.

[SmellyOne]

FOX News is a favorite target on HuffPo.

Everyone gets righteous about media practices when it comes to FOX News, as if FOX News were a unique outlet, the only media outlet to slant things.

Everyone does it. It's not a FOX News problem, it's a MSM problem.

But, HuffBots need their enemies, and it's real EASY to bag on FOX News.

[kfdan]

Kids at the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) must have been drinking drug laced kool-aid to have come up with that 'study.' Faux News is ... well, faux!

[andban]

Now that is funny. I stopped watching Fox over 5 years ago because they were all for pro war and pro GB, and there news was slanted. But so are the rest of the News stations. CNN may be the most fair and balanced. All you have to do is see what the networks are doing to Ron Paul and realize you're only going to see what they want you to see. I think most people that find their news on the net know who is fair, that's why we are here.... Peace on Earth...

[shockmagog]

'When presenting hard news stories, the Fox News Channel always includes the network spin. The network uses a number of techniques to mutate reality. Here are just a few:'

Method #1:

'Non-reporting. A news story about rising gas prices blames regional environmental clean air standards. According to Fox News, "some officials say environmental regulations are driving up prices by forcing fuel refiners to develop different blends." This is only partially true. The reporter does not mention other factors including the lack of refining capacity in the United States; OPEC holding back production; the simple economics of high-demand in the U.S.; poor fuel efficiency of U.S. vehicles; and the fact that even with price increases, the U.S. STILL has the lowest cost per gallon of gas in the world. The Fox News spin is that the only reason gas prices rise is because of those liberal environmental laws.'

Method #2:

'Conceptual Name Calling. A news story about global warming is titled "Junk Science." The first line of the newscast says: "The global warming treaty known as the Kyoto protocol is politically dead in the U.S. But the treaty's left-leaning environmental extremist supporters haven't given up their fantasy of creating a socialist global economy through controls on energy use." This report includes no scientific evidence of global warming and ends with the comment that "the junk science-fueled Kyoto protocol would be an economic suicide capsule."'

Method #3:

'Political Name Calling.'

Method #4:

'Warped Reporter Analysis.'

Method #5:

'Skewed Statistics­.'

Method #6:

'Unflattering Images.'

For details of methods 3 through 6, and more:
http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/networks/foxnews/foxnews.html

[splashy]

"Fair and balanced" does not mean it's the truth.

Tabloid news is right now and then, but how are you going to know when to believe it? Of course, the fox will say "I won't hurt any chickens."

[StillAmused]

OT, but does anyone else see great irony in HuffPo CLOSING the "Bill Kristol To Become New York Times Columnist In 2008; Times Defends Move" thread for comments?

Ah, the Fourth Estate... all the news that gives you fits.

[MuseScavenger]

Yeah! And this just in: China certifies toys lead-free!

[peterg76]

In the words of Stephen Colbert:

They give you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side.

[Upcoming]

Be advised: giving equal weight to different opinions and points of view does not "fair and balanced" make. To give Hitler a 49% positive rating amongst Germans and say Churchill a 50% negative rating among Britons circa WW2 is clearly not fair and balanced.

It's yet more neocon propaganda, distorted simplistic slogans for ignorant Americans. It is pathetic that we, as Americans, are even having a discussion of this nature. It is such a low level of thought.

[truthyguy]

Who cares?

And by the way, this same group declared me Supreme Ruler of the World.

[Abbybwood]

Imagine my shock to discover that Fox just decided to exclude Rep. Ron Paul from the New Hampshire Republican Presidential debate January 6th, 2008! Two days before the election no less!

Ron Paul is polling HIGHER than others who are being included and set the record for raising more $$ in one day than any other candidate in history!

I sent a "tip" to Fox News here:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/index.html

(Scroll down and write your "tip" in the box to the left)

I also emailed letters to Kevin Martin and the other commissioners at the FCC here:

Chairman Kevin J. Martin: fcc.govfcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: [e-mail]
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: [e-mail]
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: [e-mail]
Commissioner Robert McDowell: [e-mail]

...and make sure to comment how NewsCorp is "acting against the public interest."

And even though you may not support Ron Paul for POTUS, please watch this speech he gave a week ago in New Hampshire on "Executive Powers". It will at the very least influence you to write to Fox and the FCC regarding his exclusion from the debate. Here's the link for the speech:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7493899900883927358&loc=interstitialskip

[bikerdude]

This makes as much sense as the NYT hiring Billy Kristol after Time, Inc. fired his pathetic ass. Maybe Brooks needs a butt buddy.

[adzeman]

I just funded a study that concludes that I am the handsomest man on earth. Not only that the study recommends that any woman that walks by me should offer herself to me.... get the idea?
Everyone on that channel except Britt Hume has admitted a gooper bias for chrissake. And Britt is a proven liar and nitwit.

[TroubledTexan]

Oh this is precious!

"the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) at George Mason University found that Fox News Channel's evening coverage was more "balanced" than that of the broadcast networks."

A right wing watch dog group labels Fox more balanced? Ha

And if you believe that here's another one for ya.

George Dubya recently said "We do not torture"

Troubled