Tuesday, April 14, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
Fox News, it seems, has divided America’s thinking about news broadcasting. Those who support the programming on Fox News say they receive honest news not available from the rest of the media. Others believe the likes of Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly have been hired only to strengthen ratings. The truth is that neither of them is a news broadcaster, but an individual projecting his opinions on news issues. They are very consistent, and their followers have accepted their opinions as gospel.
I saw a disparity between O’Reilly’s interviews of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. When O’Reilly spoke to Bush, there was an unmistakable reverence, and when it came time for him to ask questions about the war in Iraq, he smoothly slid over the issue, remarking that he agreed with the president on this subject. On the other hand, four years later, when O’Reilly interviewed Obama during the campaign, there was unmistakable anger in his voice, challenging the candidate and interrupting him often. I am sure he did this because the typical Fox News fan expects this, and supports him for this behavior.
What I am trying to say is that Fox News is not for everybody. For those who need the assurance that their conservative beliefs are the only right way to think, Hannity and O’Reilly come through. Those who are not necessarily that far to the right of center probably should not watch the programming unless they enjoy getting angry.
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