Larisa Alexandrovna: Nationalism As News = Fox Is "Big On America"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.atlargely.com/atlargely/2010/02/nationalism-as-news-fox-is-big-on-america.html

Nationalism as news = Fox is "big on America"

One would think that since Rupert Murdoch is Australian, Fox News might be big on "Australia." But Fox is eager to sell its product - not news - but nationalism:

First “America’s Newsroom.” Then “America’s Election Headquarters.” And on Monday, Megyn Kelly will begin anchoring a third all-about-America newscast, “America Live.”

“We’re big on America here at Fox,” Ms. Kelly said in an interview last week.

And America, or at least a big chunk of it, is big on Fox News, which is coming off its highest-rated year ever. That record is largely attributable to right-wing opinion-mongers like Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly, whose bluster sometimes distracts from the newscasts that make up Fox’s daytime schedule.

Selling hate, lies, political propaganda and most importantly, fear is very profitable. But it is not news. Nor is selling brand America news either.

In selling their America brand, what Fox is really selling in a particular type of America. In their America, the people are ALL Christian Conservatives who think the POTUS is a usurper from Kenya, that liberals are terrorists, and that the current administration is trying to destroy democracy in favor of a Commie regime.

So when reporting to that kind of American - and there are plenty bible-thumping, conspiracy sniffing, people that Fox can count on for their ratings - news does not need to be based on fact, only on political talking points. Under the Bush administration, these talking points were faxed in, called in, and emailed in directly from the White House. Now big business and far right groups can go directly through the corporate offices instead.

Congratulations Fox, you really are big on America - just not the America I live in or want to live in.

In my America, no reputable news outlet would employ a Watergate burglar (G. Gordon Liddy) as some kind of credible commentator. Nor would any reputable news outlet employ an Iran Contra arms dealer like Oliver North. (MSNBC luckily came to their senses).

In my America, a dirty-trickster, dishonest and criminal individual like Karl Rove would not be welcome. Then again, in my America, there would exist a credible and law abiding Department of Justice, and Rove would be in prison.

Nor would any self-respecting organization give a job to an airhead, ill-informed, continuously dishonest individual like Sarah Palin.

In my America, reporters would not preach the Christian faith from the news desk or claim that America is a Christian nation.

Finally, in my American newsroom, the facts would take center stage and any executive found to be telling the newsroom to lie would be out of a job. Whatever America Fox believes in and sells to its viewers, it is not a place of decency, honesty, or tolerance of any sort.

I wager that soon James O'Keefe will be featured exclusively at Fox as well. Mark my words.
     
Mods: Reproduced with Permission

[BOSSHOG]

1. Yes Faux is big on America

Like a fucking anvil on a cupcake. Those fuckers aren't Patriots and they don't give a damn about our country, they care about their racism and prejudices and ignorance. The revel in lying and hurting other human beings. Their heros? o'keefe, palin, beck? I rest my case.

[Gregorian]

2. FOX TV get off the air!

In my best Jello Biafra voice.


Our airwaves being misused for political and financial gain. There is no shame.


edit- It still comes down to the American people. This whole thing resides on their shoulders. It all does. I blame FOX for being shit, but I blame Americans who support it for being shit for brains. (Said in my best Rude Pundit voice.)

[NoNothing]

3. There is a lesson here

There are a lot of Americans out there who want to be proud of their country. Why is it that only conservative voices are speaking to them? The conservative vision is winning by default among these people because progressive voices are too afraid to embrace a positive vision for America. I think this is the primary reason for the failure of progressive mass-communications platforms (like talk radio.)

[Gregorian]

5. I want to agree, but it Rush Limbaugh a positive voice?

I've been saying that we need to somehow make the liberal voice more palatable to the masses. I'm not really sure what that would entail. Actually, intelligent beings don't need syrup in their news. But even if that's the case, I see that so-called positive as very negative. When I watch Fox I see pretty faces and hair. But an ugly message.

I guess it's like musical tastes. Some just want to hear sweet music, others want punk.

[NoNothing]

6. No he is not

But he is positive about America. That's the distinction I mean. Right now it seems like the only voices who are actively positive about America a conservative voices. This cedes the large group of Americans who *want* to feel positive about America to their vision, a huge mistake.

[tularetom]

7. Rush Limbaugh is not "positive about America"

That fat piece of shit hates everything about America, he hates helping people who are less fortunate, he hates minorities, he hate any kind of government initiatives, he hates people who disagree with him.

WTF part of "America" is he positive about? Dumbass poor white people giving all their money to the wealthy? Whoopee.

[NoNothing]

8. You prove my point

Thanks.

[tularetom]

9. Glad to help, Einstein.

[Gregorian]

10. How is he positive?

I'll admit I've only heard soundbites of the guy. He seems like he's positive about something America should never embrace. Positive about racism, sexism, greed, war. There is something attractive about him to some people or he wouldn't be so popular. But then MacDonald's is extremely popular. But that doesn't make it good.

[NoNothing]

11. I mean he positions himself as a American exceptionalist

He presents his ideas in pro-American terms, i.e., what is good or bad for America. He speaks approvingly of the United States and presents a vision (in his mind) of America as a force of good - you know, shining city on a hill and such. Middle Americans want to be exceptional and want to be a force for good. The question is who defines "good," right? But in order to get even the opportunity to participate in that definition, you have to first accept the premise that America fundamentally is good and decent and even exeptional, something that progressive voices seem to have a hard time articulating. Obama was masterful at this during the campaign, which is why he won so many independent voters.

[Gregorian]

12. I think you have something. It's why people are Republicans, also.

As critical thinkers, we come off as negative. I know, because I am "guilty" of this in a big way. I find it very hard to be positive about problems. I've even said that for many people, thinking itself is considered negative. I have chalked it up to the need for American to mature. I may be right, but it still stands that people like to hang around cheery, positive types. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from Rush, as much as we dislike him.

[Land Shark]

4. K&R good story! n/t