6.17.2008

Appealing to the L.C.D.

Even though I got my start in television broadcasting with a small, FOX affiliate (back when the network programmed only a few nights a week), I always believed that the network tried to distinguish itself, not by appealing to the coveted 18-49 year age bracket, but by appealing to what those of us in the business referred to as the “L.C.D.” or lowest common denominator. After all, this was the network that launched the irreverent, but raunchy, Married With Children, which often got pulled from my South Carolina station’s Sunday line-up because of “objectionable content.”

I left the station and my association with FOX to go to the exciting world of computer software long before the advent of its news broadcasts. I couldn’t be happier with this decision, especially after seeing that, even with its so-called “news" programs, FOX still tries to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Check this out.



Seriously--Obama’s baby momma, which according to the Urban Dictionary is an "unmarried woman with whom you had children and are not otherwise involved with?" And FOX considers this appropriate and ethical journalism? Are you kidding me?

For an intellectual and thoughtful discussion of this topic, I recommend visiting Charlotte’s post. If you want a good, old-fashioned rant, just keep reading.

Honestly, bloggers, this isn’t about being Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. I respect thoughtful discussions about larger versus smaller government, national security, and the enviroment. What I can’t respect is outlandish ethnic, racial, or sexist slurs by an agency that fancies itself as being a respectable news agency. This sort of stunt by any news network certainly doesn’t measure up to my standards for solid journalism. Does it measure up to yours?

12 comments:

Me said...

I just threw up in my mouth.

News Network....I call them "commentary network". If they would label everything they do as "commentary", then I guess , in theory, they can get away with their right wing crap. But news, hell no. As a journalist with a fairly healthy opinionated mind, I personally know that you can put your own convictions aside and try your best to give something fair and balanced.

They aren't even close. The best compliment I ever got from a nemesis was that I was a fair reporter. I still cling to that. It truly meant the world.

Simple Answer said...

I fall on the fairly conservative side so I used to be a Fox News fan. Then, I got sent a link to Fox Porn. I don't tune in to anyone anymore. I read several sources to try to get a balance.

jaded said...

I have seriously thought of blocking their news channel with the child block feature to see how long it would take my spouse to figure out it wasn't a problem with the cable company...not that he tunes in often. I have little tolerance for sensationalism.

Jill said...

My husband goes APE SHI** over Fox news. He can't STAND it... Whenever we are with my in-laws, they turn off any show we're watching and turn on the Fox news at 10 pm.

Last time we were at their house the headline story on Fox was that a peacock got out of its pen and was roaming the street. I thought he was going to lose it...

Lynda said...

Could be they are affliated with the Tina Fey movie "Baby Mama" - which is being advertised here in the middle east about every 10 seconds... not a whisper about Sex in the City, mind you! - good chance the TV channels here don't understand the connotations behind the term Baby Mama (which is quite possible). Interesting to watch this US election from here..

karey m. said...

fox news. the only thing i do not miss about home...

running42k said...

That is the first time I have seen the word intelligent and Fox News in the same sentence.

Fox News has the journalistic integrity of Pravda.

Jack Steiner said...

I don't have a lot of faith in the general publics intelligence.

The problem I see is that so many people are willing to settle for the easy, uncomplicated answer. Too many times people are unwilling to think.

Paige Jennifer said...

Your first mistake is watching Fox News. No really, if people just got together and refused to watch them, maybe they'd go away. Oh, and you can't refer to that channel as 'journalism' because it's anything but.

Diane Mandy said...

PJ- Ordinarily I don't watch it. It's not even offered on my German satellite system. But on this occasion, I was visiting friends in the military and they had the broadcast on courtesy of Armed Forces Network. It was appalling!

Sarah said...

I find Fox News nothing less than offensive. And their "Fox and Friends" morning show just makes me go WTF?

AmyB said...

Are you freaking KIDDING ME?! How utterly tasteless. And I'm not saying that as a Democrat; I'm saying that as a person. AND a TV viewer who only watches MSNBC... ;o)