Fox News is an influential, conservative-leaning news organization with wide reach, which has drawn accusations of spreading misinformation and political advocacy through its coverage. Scholars are becoming more concerned with how best to classify and study it.
Research on media bias is extensive, encompassing an abundance of books, articles, research papers, polls, documentaries and TV-shows. In this chapter we will look at some of the key works within this field.
Newscasts
Fox News is notorious for providing hyperpartisan news coverage and is known to spread baseless allegations. After the 2020 presidential election, hosts such as Jeanine Pirro and Lou Dobbs promoted claims that voting machine company Smartmatic was rigged for Donald Trump – leading them to file defamation lawsuit against Fox over this claim – only for them to settle it without changing their tactics.
This program features interviews with newsmakers from the previous week, panels and a Power Player of the Week segment. Stories highlighting American spirit are also featured, with Ingraham seeking to get behind Washington jargon and speak directly to real people affected by recent headlines; she interviews unexpected voices and uncovers stories which celebrate America’s strength while answering viewer queries as part of this endeavor.
Special reports
Bret Baier has long enjoyed an unblemished reputation, anchoring major political events for Fox News and moderating presidential debates with fairness and impartiality. But recently leaked text messages appear to cast serious doubt upon this reputation; Baier seems to suggest to his bosses ways they might win over Trump-supporters – an unacceptable breach of journalistic ethics.
Special Report is a weekly weeknight news program that features political stories from Washington, DC. Former host Brit Hume retired in December 2008; Bret Baier now anchors and occasionally Chris Wallace hosts it.
The Fox News program also features interviews with politicians and national newsmakers. Lawrence Jones, Lisa Boothe, Sean Duffy and Gillian Turner discuss daily headlines and issues while Greg Gutfeld examines them through a satiric lens with pop culture references. It airs both nationally on Fox News Channel as well as locally in its affiliate markets; additionally it is simulcast on the Fox Business Network during times of breaking news events.