Excellent piece from Steve Benen on what’s wrong with the way the mainstream media is framing the current war of words between Fox News and the White House:
For various media figures derisive of the White House’s criticism of Fox News, there seems to be some confusion over the nature of the problem.
For much of the media establishment, Fox News and MSNBC are somehow bookends, one on the right; one on the left. The prior has Beck, O’Reilly, and Hannity; the latter has Schultz, Olbermann, and Maddow. Both are cable news networks with primetime commentators who bring a certain perspective to their political analysis. So, the establishment asks, what’s the big deal?
It’s probably obvious to anyone who’s actually watched these networks, but given the lingering confusion, let’s pause briefly to explain why the conventional wisdom is absurd.
[…]
According to the network, Fox News’ reporting is “objective” during its “news hours” — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on weekdays (eastern). Senior vice president for news Michael Clemente recently said, “The average consumer certainly knows the difference between the A section of the newspaper and the editorial page.”And that would be persuasive, if such a difference existed on the Republican network. But as this video helps demonstrate, Clemente is drawing a distinction where none exists. To describe Fox News’ “news hours” as “objective” is demonstrably ridiculous.
PAST CONTRIBUTOR.