Despite Americans voting overwhelmingly for the most liberal President since Roosevelt, they watch Fox News, a living, breathing Daily Mail with even fewer ethical worries. Despite dumping their own polling data in favour of one which looked worse for the Democrats, despite using library footage to make a rightwing march look better-supported, despite actually sponsoring neo-fascist rallies, calling Obama a racist and 'accidentally' repeatedly labelling Obama 'Osama' and despite hiring Sarah Palin, its motto is Fair and Balanced: and the US public believes it: a recent poll found that Fox is the US's most trusted network.
American readers: perhaps you can enlighten us. Is it the language? The certainty? How are they doing it? Even members of its owner's family hate Fox!
Outside of New England and California, the US is a scary place full of scared people. The right has done a good job labelling Obama a Socialist, and there's nothing our American friends detest more than a red under the bed. I watch the Daily Show for my US politics - Fox fears Jon Stewart and would do anything to get him on side (look on Youtube for Bill O'Reilly's interview with him.)
ReplyDeleteVole, I can't understand it myself, although the phenomenon of Faux News' popularity is a strong argument against evolution.
ReplyDeleteOne possible explanation is the American public's vast intellectual laziness. If Fox says it's "fair and balanced," then it must be so -- no need to look further!