# Is Fox News really all that bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 3, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625 "2012-10-03T21:14:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 132
**Author:** ![razordance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2020, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2623 "2020-09-17T07:33:59Z")
Actually, I think the slogan is intended to obscure the difference between “fair” and “balanced” – e.g., to obscure the fact that giving flat-Earthers equal time with astronomers would be balanced but not fair, and so would giving creationists equal time with evolutionists. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2624 "2020-09-25T04:58:59Z")
[just kidding](https://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-karen-mcdougal-case-tucker-carlson-2020-9), > [@Business Insider](#): > > A federal judge dismissed a [lawsuit](https://www.businessinsider.com/karen-mcdougal-fox-news-lawsuit-defamation-extortion-claims-trump-2019-12) against Fox News this week after lawyers for the network argued that no “reasonable viewer” takes the primetime host Tucker Carlson seriously, [according to a new court filing](https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/7216968/9-24-20-McDougal-v-Fox-Opinion.pdf). > > The judge agreed with Fox’s premise, adding that the network “persuasively argues … that given Mr. Carlson’s reputation, any reasonable viewer ‘arrive[s] with an appropriate amount of skepticism’ about the statements he makes. This ‘general tenor’ of the show should then inform a viewer that he is not ‘stating actual facts’ about the topics he discusses and is instead engaging in ‘exaggeration’ and ‘non-literal commentary.’” So, as long as he winks, he can spew as much vile bullshit as he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2625 "2020-09-25T06:04:19Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > So, as long as he winks, he can spew as much vile bullshit as he wants. Yeah that’s an awful decision. They are right that no reasonable person would believe his shit, but the question should have been do _his viewers_ believe it? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2626 "2020-09-25T11:17:55Z")
Also, here is Fox calling its viewers unreasonable. Feels like someone should trumpet that somewhere. MSNBC: Fox News just claimed under oath that its viewers, specifically anyone who views Tucker Carlson and believes him, are unreasonable! Come watch – we respect our audience. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2627 "2020-09-25T12:38:35Z")
Journalistic integrity is when you can dismiss a defamation suit by claiming that you _always_ lie. What a world we live in… ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2628 "2020-09-25T13:42:53Z")
There is ample legal precedent for the Alex Jones defence. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2629 "2020-09-25T14:05:49Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Also, here is Fox calling its viewers unreasonable. Feels like someone should trumpet that somewhere. > > MSNBC: Fox News just claimed under oath that its viewers, specifically anyone who views Tucker Carlson and believes him, are unreasonable! Come watch – we respect our audience. Fox News is admitting Fox News viewers are idiots? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2630 "2020-09-25T14:07:47Z")
Well, “not reasonable”, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2631 "2020-09-25T14:08:22Z")
Potato potahtoh ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2632 "2020-10-29T14:39:19Z")
A shipment of damning evidence against Hunter Biden was lost in the mail. The originals they were safeguarding (they shipped copies of course) were eaten by the dog. I’m going to link directly to the “news” source so all can read, watch and facepalm: > **['Damning' Hunter Biden documents mysteriously vanish in transit to Los...](https://www.foxnews.com/media/tucker-carlson-hunter-biden-documents-vanish-los-angeles)** > > A shipment of "damning" documents linked to Hunter Biden and his father mysteriously disappeared in transit to Los Angeles, Fox News host Tucker Carlson revealed on his show Wednesday night. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2633 "2020-10-29T17:03:50Z")
Apparently someone found it > **[UPS Finds Mystery Tucker Carlson Package](https://www.thedailybeast.com/ups-confirms-mystery-tucker-carlson-package-disappeared-in-its-system)** > > The Fox News host alleged Wednesday that a package of “damning” materials on the Biden family went missing while being shipped to him. (you could not pay me enough to handle his package) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2634 "2020-10-29T17:06:59Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > (you could not pay me enough to handle his package) - No one says you have to handle it _gently_. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2635 "2020-10-29T17:28:37Z")
Speculation: They sent a bunch of blank pages through UPS, using some type of trick label that would self dissolve after a day or so. Not that hard to arrange, I could make some with a 5th grade chemistry starter set. Or just use something like [this](https://www.sciencebobstore.com/dissolving-paper/), and the slightest bit of moisture will cause it to break down. They then sent the documents, with the idea that they would then be “lost” and they would have the receipt and tracking to show that they were sent, and somehow nefariously “lost” or intercepted by malignant actors. Keep in mind, they wouldn’t have to do this just once, they could send multiple packages, and wait until one fails to arrive. They did not count on UPS logistics being as good as they are, and that they would be able to reunite the contents with their rightful owners. So now, he has a bunch of blank pages rather than a smoking gun or evidence of a conspiracy. Now that he has made such a big deal of them, he has to reveal them to the world. This was not the plan he had in mind. As I said, speculation, but I’d lay good odds that we never see the contents of these purportedly damning documents. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2636 "2020-10-29T17:53:48Z")
I believe the package contains a smoking gub. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2637 "2020-10-29T21:48:02Z")
“[‘Can I Change My Vote’ Trends on Google](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/can-i-change-my-vote-trends-google-what-you-need-to-know)” ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2638 "2020-10-30T16:21:50Z")
Last time I watched Fox News was when a good friend of mine (a history professor and I’m pretty sure they paid him) was interviewed about US POW issues in the wake of the Bowe Bergdahl POW swap back in 2014. My buddy’s contention is that there wasn’t anything unusual at all with the swap, as the government/Army has done that thing repeatedly, and in some cases on a much larger scale than with Bergdahl. The hosts kept pestering him about the deal, trying to get him to say or imply that the Obama administration had made a bad deal, or otherwise fucked it up by letting too many Taliban go or something. Which in a historical context, they had not, and my buddy stuck to his guns. That was the point when I resolved not to watch them any more; you don’t get a literal expert on a subject on your show, have them state that historically this wasn’t out of the ordinary, and then badger them about it because it doesn’t line up with their particular line of propaganda. That’s journalistically unethical and just bullshit all around. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2639 "2020-10-30T16:26:40Z")
> [@bump](#): > > journalistically unethical and just bullshit all around. A very appropriate tag-line for Fox. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2640 "2020-10-30T16:48:48Z")
Oh, and I want to point out that my buddy is something of an authority on POW issues, having published a book on the subject while working for the Army. His contention was that the government/armed forces basically make it up as they go in each war, and as a result, we have never had a consistent policy or execution of the policies we have. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2641 "2020-11-02T04:06:47Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Apparently someone found it Following this, Tucker first made insinuations about UPS (yeah, they’re part of the deep state too), but now has [decided to drop the whole thing](https://youtu.be/F5qdXXG4PDQ?t=635) out of respect for Hunter Biden. 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625/2642 "2020-11-02T04:09:43Z")
> [@bump](#): > > That was the point when I resolved not to watch them any more; you don’t get a literal expert on a subject on your show, have them state that historically this wasn’t out of the ordinary, and then badger them about it because it doesn’t line up with their particular line of propaganda. That’s journalistically unethical and just bullshit all around. It’s good you drew a line, but note that FOX is way, way below that line now. It’s 50% state TV and 50% alex jones style wacko conspiracy theories. Scroll up for more details… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625.md?page=131) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fox-news-really-all-that-bad/636625.md?page=133)