I think Fox News has just admitted that they're not Fair and Balanced.

[The Backlash Cometh]

If they were Fair and Balanced, then they would be a model for the Fairness Doctrine. But instead, they're taking a position against the Fairness Doctrine, claiming that it infringes on Free Speech, and of course, ratings and profit:

Fox News: 'Fairness Doctrine' no match for ratings and money

"This next one may make you think twice about freedom of speech," announced Fox News on Wednesday, stating that the federal government wants to "resurrect" the Fairness Doctrine from "back in the 40's." The Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to present both sides of controversial issues, was federal policy from 1949 until 1987.

<erm, if Fox News WERE presenting both sides of controversial issues, they wouldn't be impacted by the Doctrine, would they?>.

<snip>

Lowry, who dominated the discussion, began by saying, "The market is working here. You have extremely talented conservative talk radio show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. And they're on the air because they get ratings. And broadcasters, guess what, they care about ratings because they want money."

<the cat is out of the bag. It's all about the money, not about presenting both sides of a story.>

"Radio outlets are supposed to operate in the public interest," objected Hill, citing the need for diversity of opinion.

"There is a diversity of opinion out there," insisted Lowry, pointing to PBS and shock jocks as counterbalances to conservatives like Limbaugh. "If you want liberal opinion in the media, you can get it in the newspapers."

- - - - -
So, what he's really saying is, if you want to hear the liberal side, don't expect to find it on Fox News.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_slams_Fairness_Doctrine_in_favor_0627.html

[deaniac21]

1. Tortured "logic"

[underpants]

2. Several "left wing" shows beat Hannity head-to-head

so saying that it is just about ratings is BS. It isn't about ratings anymore than underproducing hybrids or NOT producing electric cars and overproducing SUV's has anything to do with market economics.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. So they've shown they have two Achille's Heels.

First, by their own admission, they're not Fair and Balanced because they favor right-wing positions over liberal ones due to the ratings; and second, their premise can be challenged because there are liberal programs that are beating right-wing pundits.

[Johonny]

3. Hey FAUX

if you had an actual news cast I might unblock your channel and boost your ratings:)

[Nikki Stone1]

5. Even if they had actual news, I wouldn't--until they toss O'Loofah.

:)

[iamahaingttta]

6. The best thing to do is to simply ignore them!

Fox who?