Is Fox News Officially Considered Entertainment? Debunking the Myth

One of the enduring debates in media today is whether Fox News is officially classified as a source of entertainment rather than news. This question isn't new, and it's often challenging to delineate the line between the two, especially when a respected news organization blends the two in a way that can be both entertaining and informative. But is it true that Fox News should be officially considered entertainment?

Breaking Down the Debate: News as Entertainment

The essence of journalism is grounded in truth and accountability. However, the line between presenting news and making it engaging can blur, and this often brings the debate about news organization's true function to the forefront. In a society where the right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment, the 1987 repeal of the Fairness Doctrine allowed talk radio and Fox News to flourish. This development laid the groundwork for what many view as a rise in unfiltered, often sensationalized content.

Renowned talk show host Rush Limbaugh and Fox News anchor Ted Turner, who launched Fox News in 1996, were among the pioneers who leveraged this newfound freedom to entertain audiences. Critics argue that these platforms have created an environment characterized by divisiveness, frequent innuendo, and conspiracy theories. According to many, the content is designed not to foster critical thinking but to achieve immediate engagement and entertainment.

Fox News Vows to Uphold Journalism Standards

Despite appearances, Fox News claims to adhere to journalistic ethics. According to the foundational principles of journalism, the following values should be upheld by any news organization:

Journalism's first obligation is to the truth Its first loyalty is to citizens Its essence is a discipline of verification Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover It must serve as an independent monitor of power It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise It must strive to keep the news comprehensive and proportional Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience

However, the results and admission of Fox News in court cases challenge these assertions. In Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News, Fox News admitted that their primary obligation was to their ratings. This stark declaration raises questions about the loyalty to the truth in favor of viewer engagement. Similar evidence from other court cases further undermines the credibility of Fox News’ commitment to honest reporting.

Self-Definition and Manifesto

Reflecting on the nature of content provided by Fox News, it is revealing that they describe themselves as “furnish[ing] the Company Sites and the Company Services for your personal enjoyment and entertainment”. This admission aligns with a broader approach in their interactions, such as acknowledging in court filings that no reasonable person would expect to hear vetted news when tuning in to Fox News. Instead, audiences are expected to find satisfaction in the entertainment value of the content.

Media Bias and Reviews

Evaluations from media bias charting organizations provide a comprehensive view of Fox News' standing in the industry. These charts rank news sources based on their adherence to verified news and their biases. Fox News consistently appears low on these charts, often labeled as “selective,” “incomplete,” “biased,” “unreliable,” and other similarly critical terms. These ratings, while subjective, underscore the perception that Fox News is more than a traditional news organization.

While there is no single governing body that explicitly assigns a source as news or entertainment, these reviews and court cases together paint a clear picture. Fox News prioritizes entertainment over news integrity, catering to an audience that wants to consume content that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs.

In conclusion, while Fox News may present a mixed identity, official classifications aside, its practices and public stance on content and audience satisfaction indicate a clear leaning towards the entertainment spectrum. The line between news and entertainment can be blurred, but the nuances of content and audience expectations reveal that Fox News is indeed more of an entertainment channel than a traditional news organization.