Privileges: Fox News keeps pushing the envelope on conservatism, accuracy and fairness. Ratings rise as a result. Fox Network rides reality TV to new highs and lows. Ratings rise as a result.
Now Fox’s flagship newspaper, The New York Post, is trashing anything that resembles journalism in favor of tabloid garbage, and I want to see if advertisers and readers draw the line. Last Friday, we
had actual pictures of weasels dropped in for the heads French and German UN delegates in what was a news photo on page one. The point: these countries are weasels for not supporting the war effort
against Iraq. The job of a media property and a journalist, I was taught anyway, is to inform and enlighten the reader. That job is a privilege, not a right. It is a responsibility, not a schoolboy
prank. "Our intent was really to spark a debate and a consideration of Europe and particularly the French and the German role in this struggle. I think we've been successful in that," said New York
Post editor Col Allan. Are New Yorkers going to buy into this outright, transparent grab for attention? I suggest that Allan should take a ride way uptown and see what the real stories are. Go see the
single mother trying to make ends meet without a health care plan. Go see a public school. Stay away from Elaine’s for a while. Save the Photoshop tricks for after work.
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Having Said That:
Entertainment is entertainment and Joe Millionaire is big entertainment. Fox Network brutally and profitably understands American TV viewers in a way nobody has since Norman Lear. I tend to take
things too seriously, “like what does this say about us as a culture?” But these guys created Super Bowl numbers – again – from nothing.
Parting Shot: Have Evan Marriott and the guy who
played “putty” from Seinfeld ever appeared in the same room? I think they’re the same guy.
