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

[Witchitalineman]

Yeah, and if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you!

[BrighterStar]

All of the liberal outrage on this site about FOX news reminds me of a story about President Truman. While Truman was campaigning for president a supporter yelled "Give ‘em hell, Harry." The president would respond, "I don't give them hell. I just tell the truth about them and they think it's hell." Over the years liberals have become spoiled by a left leaning media. Now that we have FOX news that is not liberally biased liberals are outraged (the democratic presidential candidates are even afraid to go on FOX news).

I say the anti-FOX group on the left needs to grow up and realize that one news outlet that is not liberally biased is not the end of the world, but rather a healthy sign for a democracy.

[incontempt]

Is Fox News Immune from a class action lawsuit by the american people?? seems they are liable for outright missinformation, Clear intent to effect/rig elections and Failure to comply with Labeling(news) and Deriliction of Duty to the american people maybe...I'm sure a good lawyer can come up with many more. I'm hoping in the new year and years ahead to see a few of these profiteer's shirtless and broke on a battlefield in the desert.. Set an Example Of these Cowards and prevent it from happening again, The most powerful people operating outside of the law deliberately and decieptfully is a most dangerous predicament. Thankyou Republicans, What monster hath you wrought upon the USA.

[Pete Ross]

The "balance" in Faux News is that they do have the best looking T&A in the propaganda business combined with the most obvious and disgusting Bush acolytes on the planet.

Even with the lure of their T&A I can't stand the idiocy, distortions and lies of Hanity, BillO et al so I don't watch Faux much if at all.

With media consolidation it has become extremely difficult to find accurate news on TV in America, so I use my computer and find my news on the Internet.

[ROBOT8]

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, THE TRUTH IS THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE STATE." -- Joseph Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945

[PerryLogan]

Funny how right-wing think tanks always "discover" that the Right has been right about everything since the dawn of time.

[mpgarr]

Everyone knows the meaning of FAUX's tag line "Fair and Balanced" means--it means that its news is skewed very clearly to a conservative bias--and there is nothing really wrong with that--just be honest about it--if they had a tag line along the lines of "FOX News--the official news source of American Conservatism" or something pithier to this effect---but you get the idea----if they did this--they would not piss me off so much---but to claim they are an objective news source simply stretches the bounds of credibility.
This study is pretty much like most of what the FAUX network puts out--conservative spin crap that is not credible or believable thanks to their claims of impartiality and objectivity. Both entities are anything but!!!

[cruisepuppy7452a]

I have to add this, it is an insult to call Fox a news channel. Its a evangelical pile of poop. They refuse to face the fact the world isn't some suzy cream cheese fantasy. They refuse to see Bush is feeding them lies, using them for his agenda which has nothing to do with religion at all. News is neutral, it is honest, factual, it delves into the who, what, when and why, not some fantasy world that everything is fine and wonderful, or the boogie man is around the corner waiting to take you away. If people were to believe the crap they spew, you would think we are waiting for the sky to fall and have to go to war. Please. Stop calling it a news station. Its not news, its not balanced, its not factual, it insults the intelligence of the American people. We want NEWS all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly, and yes, we can take it.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

Oh please, they get the ostrich award for refusal to report the news, admit there is news going on in the world, and god forbid, speaking out against bush. That isn't news they report. Its lies. Dumb lies, stupid lies, lies that are so bad, only a moron from planet zogg would beleive it. News my ass, and forget anything that is balanced.

[mamacat]

Achtung!
This news bulletin just in from the office of Josef Goebbels: "It has been determined, by a completely impartial investigative department within the ministry of propaganda, that the fairest and most accureate reporting in the entire Reich comes directly from the ministry of propaganda. We will keep you informed of all the official news bulletins as soon as they are approved. That is all."

[realpolitic]

Fox News is well balanced between hysteria and far-right propaganda. The network does jingoism well. A news network they are not. I agree with others who have said Pravda editors would be smiling from their graves.

[steverino39]

Figures lie. Liars figure.

[joebaggadonuts]

Well clearly all the other media outlets are liberals..... snicker....BWAHAAA HAA HAAAA.

And Global warming is a figment of our imagination too, unless it's caused by natural cycles having nothing to do with human activity on the Earth.

Ya, suure, you betcha.

[rlmcintosh]

December 28, 2007 10:39 pm EST

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – According to the New Hampshire State Republican Party and an Associated Press report, Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul will be excluded from an upcoming forum of Republican candidates to be broadcast by Fox News on January 6, 2008 - two nights before the NH Primary.

“Given Ron Paul’s support in New Hampshire and his recent historic fundraising success, it is outrageous that Dr. Paul would be excluded,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “Dr. Paul has consistently polled higher in New Hampshire than some of the other candidates who have been invited.”

Snyder continued, “Paul supporters should know that we are continuing to make inquiries with Fox News as to why they have apparently excluded Dr. Paul from this event.”

[BillN]

This is almost as ridiculous as calling the Patriot Act - patriotic!