Well MSNBC is just as bad! (Sorry, I had to.) Fox News has progressives -- Bob Beckel, Kirsten Powers, Juan Williams, Mara Liasson, for example -- on for a comment during almost every show. While Hannity and O'Reilly are quite obnoxious, they allow opposing viewpoints on their programs. Cavuto consistently has someone on to counter him.
For the record, I watch CNN. I don't mind Cavuto, Smith, and Baier...but cannot tolerate Beck, Hannity, or O'Reilly.
I'm just as frustrated with MSNBC as with Fox. I would suggest that Fox has just about every single show HOSTED by a far right hack. Shep would be one exception. He is a mainstream conservative who can be conciliatory and thoughtful. Fox does employ some token moderates as commentators like Juan Williams. Alan Colmes is the only liberal there and I've not seen him in awhile. Mara Liasson is neither liberal nor conservative...just an analyst. MSNBC has every
prime time slot hosted by a far left hack. Joe Scarborough is an actual mainstream conservative who hosts. (A host controls the program, the flow of conversation and usually has much control over content, guests and so on.)
During the midday, however, MSNBC shows are hosted by decidedly balanced hosts. Fox uses hacks almost 24-7, save the aforementioned Shepherd Smith.
I do have to say I have seen Sean Hannity treat liberal guests (on those rare occasions when he has them on) with respect -- IF -- said guest is someone with some heft. On MSNBC, while Rachel Maddow is a hack, she is also quite respectful to her liberal guests. Olbermann doesn't even bother trying. Ed Schulz regularly has Ernest Istook on both his radio and TV show and is quite generous to "Ernie", as he calls him.
But bottom line -- 90% of what airs on both networks is NOT news.
Now, if one wants to discuss professional journalism, National Public Radio is an excellent model. My only beef with them is the amount of coverage devoted to the arts and entertainment.
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