Contempt for FOX News
Is it possible for a news agency to become so successful its competitors start ignoring, well, the news? After reading a disgusting post on Poynter by San Diego Union-Tribune TV critic Bob Laurence, I'm convinced that's what has happened in the case of kidnapped Fox News Channel reporter Steve Centanni and freelance cameraman Olaf Wiig.Michelle Malkin has a nice little post in her blog about how the media has virtually ignored - for lack of a better word - this case of barbaric terrorism in Gaza. She also makes a special request...
If you have the time and inclination, please join me in posting a blog post today (doesn't need to be long, even a quick "Still Missing" will do) in support of our fellow American, Steve Centanni, and New Zealand-based cameraman Olaf Wiig. Let their families know that they are not forgotten.
But what is most disturbing about this case of journalists being kidnapped is the overtly cavalier mindset of critics like Laurence. Merely ignoring news is alone a death sentence for media agencies that depend on their reputation of integrity with the public. But Laurence suggests it also has to do with their penis-envy at the FOX News brand, "Fair and Balanced."
Laurence suggests the mainstream media has a chip on their shoulder because FOX has the nerve to brand themselves as a fair and balanced news source. But I'd ask Mr. Laurence, which news agency doesn't? You certainly don't see CBS News branding themselves as "Fair if we like you, balanced when it serves our agenda."
Just look up any local news agency in your hometown and I'll bet you'll find one or two, heck maybe three or four who call themselves the "No. 1" source of news for that city. Because FOX really is the top news source on cable news, Mr. Laurence thinks - check that - believes other news agencies have a right to ignore this story.
For the record, here's how FOX News programs rank among news programs...
1) FOXN - THE OREILLY FACTOR
2) FOXN - HANNITY & COLMES
3) FOXN - ON THE RECORD W/GRETA
4) FOXN - THE FOX REPORT W/S.SMITH
5) FOXN - SPECIAL REPORTW/BRIT HUME
6) CNN - LARRY KING LIVE
7) FOXN - THE BIG STORY W/J GIBSON
8) FOXN - STUDIO B W/S.SMITH
9) FOXN - FOX AND FRIENDS
10) FOXN - FOX NEWS LIVE
11) FOXN - YOUR WORLD W/NEIL CAVUTO
12) FOXN - DAYSIDE
If other agencies are put-off by the success of FOX News, maybe they should adopt the same "Fair and Balanced" approach to news gathering, rather than ignoring the news out of spitefulness.
In the meantime, everyone here at The Real Republican sends our best to the families of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig and pray for their quick and safe return.