It’s unmistakable. Fox News Channel is running hard to the left with their news coverage. Though not with their editorial stance. Now, that still puts them light-years more conservative than the rest of major media.
But the question is, how far will they go until they feel the heat from their base and desist or just go whole hog and blend in with the rest of the media?
The reason for this shift left is generational. Rupert, the old man, is leaving the stage and James, his son, is taking over. Rupert is decidedly more conservative than his son. Wonky rich kid James is also married to the former Kathryn Hufschmid, an Oregon-born model who is a rabid climate change promoter and who has been an employee of the Clintons.
You can do the math.
By the way, did you know that Rupert Murdoch is married to Mick Jagger’s ex common-law wife? Had to get that in somewhere.
The tack portside is evidenced by subtle yet noticeable moves. The shift in nomenclature to adhere to leftist standards. The message at the end of stories (you can always tell the bias of the writer by seeing what last impression they want to leave with you), parroting or giving emphasis to trendy left-wing sources and personalities, the massive shift to covering pop culture, and especially covering the political views of celebrities all speak of a corporate management who is giving orders to dumb down and prog up.
A recent example was the past weekend’s Fox Town Hall with Chris Wallace. The guest was Pete Buttigieg. Wallace sat there stonefaced while Buttigieg told factual lies and insulted the network and his FNC colleagues. Now while he didn’t have to be rude, it’s a journalist’s job to go after every politician no matter what party or ideological stripe. Nail every one of them to the wall. Pelosi, the president, Schumer, Pence, it doesn’t matter. Gut them like a carp, if you can. That helps the citizenry make informed choices, as a responsible fourth estate is one of the guarantors of a republic.
However, I’m thinking the word went out at FNC: “It would be social suicide at the next cocktail party James and Kathryn attend to aggressively question a gay guy, much less an up and coming Dem prospect. So lay off, Chris.” Given Wallace’s apparent editorial penchant, he easily acquiesced.
There are challengers to the crown. Sinclair, Breitbart, OANN, and other minor players are on the radar screen. Though none have the resources, loyalty, or influence that FNC currently possesses. Not to mention Hume, Hannity, Ingraham, Carlson, etc.
For the medium term FNC will remain the go-to news source for the right. It’s the one I read twice daily online (along with Drudge, Sky News, OpsLens, Breitbart, and the London Daily Telegraph) to keep up to date personally and professionally.
But if they persist in moving their news stance to the left, loyalists like me are going to find a new branch to perch on.
Because even conservatives will only take so much.
