Posted on 02/26/2016 11:55:23 PM PST by M. Thatcher
Since the first GOP presidential debate last August, Fox News Channel seems to have lost its perception mojo with its core right-leaning audience.
By mid February, FNC’s perception by Republican adults 18 and over had reached its lowest point in more than three years, and has declined by approximately 50% since January of this year.
Coinciding with Trump’s rise to front-runner in the GOP presidential race, Fox News Channel has seen its perception by Republicans slide. In early August 2015, right after the first GOP debate aired on Fox News Channel,Trump went on a Twitter war with moderator Megyn Kelly, saying she “bombed” and calling her “a lightweight reporter.”
The picture hasn’t been rosy in terms of the general population either: since last May, Fox News Channel’s perception levels with adults 18+ have uncharacteristically been drawing significantly more negative feedback than positive. At this point, both FNC and CNN are scoring at similar perception levels and they are both negative.
To measure perception of the two networks, YouGov BrandIndex used its Buzz score, which asks respondents: "If you've heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?" A score can range from 100 to -100 with a zero score equaling a neutral position.
On January 1, 2013, Fox News Channel’s Buzz score with Republican adults 18 and over was 49. By the first GOP debate last August, the score had dropped to 38. The downward momentum accelerated earlier this year when Fox News Channel’s score dropped from 36 on January 18th to 14 on February 12th. Trump declined to participate in FNC’s sanctioned GOP debate on January 28th. Fox News Channel’s current Buzz score is 17.
Don’t get me wrong. There are 1000s of people who post on FR, and in any group that large, especially when dealing with issues of importance, there are going to be a relative handful who are very vocal, and unhinged. But my experience in talking to people, and also observing what people post, is that the vast majority are sick and tired of journalism being co-opted by people who have no interest in sticking with journalistic principles, and no interest in providing a valuable service to those who consume the news. And, in this, Fox News is every bit as bad as any other news organization, and may in fact be one of the worst.
I disagree. Journalism that uses as the foundation of its question a generalization of specific comments without establishing that the generalization is substantiated is advocacy, not investigation. If Kelley could have refuted his “only Rosie” retort, then she would have been in the realm of fairness. Instead, she asserted the attitude inherent in the words was universal (using the “some people say” dodge, as I recall).
The basis of the question was a smear.
BTW, I am not particularly enamored of Trump. But I am sick and tired of advocacy masquerading as journalism.
Will break up the circular firing squad and go a huntin for Hillary
We are all watching closely. We only have Trump’s back if he marches forward into enemy territory. Turn on the people and all bets are off. I don’t think he will though. There is too much fun to be had in taking the Washington establishment apart nail by capitol hill eatery by K-street lobbyist. Who would give-up on that chance. He owes them nothing.
I have to agree. We’re talking about a major “unknown” here and there is indisputable risk.
My memory on that point could be faulty.
But it doesn’t absolve the generalization issue, where comments directed at a single individual were described as generalized.
I seriously doubt that, Trump and his mob will be held to account when all the predictable events come to pass.
And Fox? It feels like another betrayal against conservativism, there are so many these days, I quit watching as soon as I realized they were doing the GOPe bidding as pro-amnesty and anti-Cruz.
KELLY: Mr. Trump, one of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don’t use a politician’s filter. However, that is not without its downsides, in particular, when it comes to women.
You’ve called women you don’t like “fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.”
(LAUGHTER)
Your Twitter account…
TRUMP: Only Rosie O’Donnell.
(LAUGHTER)
KELLY: No, it wasn’t.
(APPLAUSE)
Your Twitter account…
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: Thank you.
KELLY: For the record, it was well beyond Rosie O’Donnell.
TRUMP: Yes, I’m sure it was.
KELLY: Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women’s looks. You once told a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president, and how will you answer the charge from Hillary Clinton, who was likely to be the Democratic nominee, that you are part of the war on women?
TRUMP: I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct.
(APPLAUSE)
I’ve been challenged by so many people, and I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either. This country is in big trouble. We don’t win anymore. We lose to China. We lose to Mexico both in trade and at the border. We lose to everybody.
And frankly, what I say, and oftentimes it’s fun, it’s kidding. We have a good time. What I say is what I say. And honestly Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.
(APPLAUSE)
But you know what, we — we need strength, we need energy, we need quickness and we need brain in this country to turn it around. That, I can tell you right now.
Agreed
I’ve started taping ‘Morning Joe’ on MSNBC.
The reporter-ettes are allowed to wear more clothing than the FoxNews hostesses.
Why would anyone need another propaganda network. The alphabet channels are already too much. So long Fox, I hardly knew ya.
Heartily agree that watching snippets of political coverage on MSNBC and CNN are refreshing since they do not have a dog in the fight on the Republican side. The Chris Matthews closing comments last night were stunning about how Donald Trump is a masterful politician despite getting kneecapped by his own party.
I don’t want fair and balanced.
I want true and factual.
The emotion and opinions should be kept separate from the news reporting.
“Fox could clear that up by cleaning some house and getting rid of Megyn Kelly and Shep and replacing them with less irritating and more “fair and balanced” sounding talent.”
FNC has more systemic problems than just Megyn and Shep. First, their “talent”, biased or not, is not very talented. CNN election coverage has blown the sox off of FNC in terms of astute analysis by astute analysts. FNC has the same handful of nimrods and bozos on all of their shows every night.
Second, FNC doesn’t have any national, much less international, correspondents, unlike CNN and the big 3. FNC relies exclusively on the local yokels at their affiliates.
Remember when we only had ABC/CBS/NBC and no cable:
Launched on October 9, 1986 as a competitor to the Big Three television networks, ABC, NBC and CBS, Fox went on to become the most successful attempt at a fourth television network.
You know, I don't think I'd have nearly as much problem with Kelly's question, if it was asked later in the cycle.
It was, however, the very first question of the very first debate.
If I was Trump, my answer would have been:
"Seriously? That is your first question of me? REALLY??? We have illegal immigrants pouring across the border, voting in our elections; we have an out-of-control President ruling by Executive Fiat; we have a crushing tax burden; a heinious and ruinous Obamacare program; government agencies going after good and lawful citizens and businesses, and THAT is what you ask me? ....(pause for effect)....Yeah. I called a woman ugly. NEXT QUESTION PLEASE."
IMO Shep should be the 1st to go.
Nonsense.
Fox is biased for Rubio to the point of absurdity. After Trump won Nevada by ten points, I swear I actually heard one of the commentators exclaim “tonight is a big win for Marco Rubio!”. Virtually every single real-world poll and on-line poll has Trump ahead by far - but, surprise! Fox’s focus group regularly favors... Rubio! After the last Fox debate, Rubio’s given a chance to talk about his dear, sweet family and... look at that! The cameras were all ready to show Rubio’s dear, sweet family there in the audience. Awww. Look at how cute those little Rubios are! Can’t you just SEE them in the White House? Awwwwww. After the debate, guess what the camera’s still showing as the commentators chat? You got it. Rubio and his family.
This isn’t “perception” on my part because I’m a Trump supporter. It’s clear bias in favor of pushing a favored candidate. It’s propaganda.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.