So how could Fox have both the most balanced and the most anti-Obama coverage? Simple. It’s because the other networks were all so pro-Obama. CMPA analyzed every soundbite by reporters and nonpartisan sources (excluding representative of the political parties) that evaluated the candidates and their policies. On the three broadcast networks combined, evaluations of Obama were 68% positive and 32% negative, compared to the only 36% positive and 64% negative evaluations of his GOP opponent John McCain…
It turns out that Fox’s coverage of President Obama has been even more negative than its coverage of candidate Obama: From Inauguration Day to Oct. 10, only 27% of Special Report’s comments on the president were favorable. That sounds like proof positive of Fox’s negative intentions. But if Fox hasn’t lost its anti-Obama edge, it has certainly lost its distinctiveness. During the same period only 35% of the evaluations on ABC, CBS, and NBC were positive. So from the administration’s point of view, Fox’s coverage has gone from being the worst of all to merely the worst among equals.
Moreover, distressing as it may seem to a president used to unusually friendly coverage, this negativity is surprisingly normal. CMPA’s earlier studies found that the broadcast networks gave almost identically negative coverage to George W. Bush (37% positive), Bill Clinton (34% positive) and Ronald Reagan (37% positive) during their first seven months in office.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
















Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Registration is currently closed. That means if you're not already registered, you can't comment. We will let you know if and when registration re-opens. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
None of those three did anything close to the damage that President Obama has done in that time frame.
BadgerHawk on November 17, 2009 at 1:28 PM
There’s a huge difference between:
Damning with faint phrase
And
deep-throating someone
lorien1973 on November 17, 2009 at 1:32 PM
More like an Obama infomercial.
Juno77 on November 17, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Next up: The Obama administration will go after the Center for Media and Public Affairs for their blatant bias.
mizflame98 on November 17, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Maybe it’s proof positive of Barry’s failed policy?
Knucklehead on November 17, 2009 at 1:40 PM
The left is lying? Someone alert the Department of Redundancy Department.
JammieWearingFool on November 17, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Who would have thunk?
nyx on November 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
See, libs. It’s not because Fox News is biased. It’s because your hero 0bama sucks!
Sekhmet on November 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
In other news, sun rises in the east, water is wet and TIME and Newsweek are not fit for wiping sh*t
nyx on November 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Not surprised
On the topic of O’s treatment go by your magazine rack at almost any store. It seems they are still coming out with issues to honor the one.
CWforFreedom on November 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I agree with and am in awe of your analogy
LincolntheHun on November 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Thus CMPA confirms its conservative bias–to liberals.
Axeman on November 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Damn well played my friend!
Monica on November 17, 2009 at 2:01 PM
No, no, no! Obama doesn’t want Fox to be balanced-balanced! Heavens no!
He wants Fox to be as equally-balanced as all the other news organizations, the ones that regularly recite his talking-points as objective fact and focus on hard news such as how cool he is.
drunyan8315 on November 17, 2009 at 2:05 PM
No more federal funding for George Mason, fer sure.
either orr on November 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I guess Fox is balanced because it’s not really a news organization.
John the Libertarian on November 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
lamestreamedia/abcnbccbscnn says: You’re biased thpppt.
Fox news says: I know you are, but what am I?
or
Fox news says: I’m rubber. You’re glue. Whatever you say bounces of me and sticks to you. THPPPPT!
What is that quote that goes “I pray for one thing, that God would make my enemies ridiculous” was it Rupert or Roger?
Blacksmith8 on November 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM