Readers take aim and I duck:

I’m such a nice, easy-going, fun-lovin’ guy that I’m always taken back when readers call me a moron and call for my head.

I had forgotten the wrath and anger of the Fox News faithful. 

It’s been awhile since I wrote about any of the all-news channels. There is so much to cover in the vast wasteland, and it’s a slow summer, and Fox News has been making news itself about how it is covering Barack Obama. 

So I took a look. A recent column about my opinion that Fox News had gone on the attack with constant bashing of Obama brought out some Walt-bashing.

I did get some readers who agreed with my call but the majority of e-mails accused me of being the dreaded “L” word. A liberal is a demon for sure in the eyes of the most ardent Fox supporters.

Many suggested that being a writer of meaningless drivel about television sitcoms, reality shows and dramas made me unqualified to comment on politics.  But I wasn’t writing about politics. I was writing about television journalism, a subject that I have covered for years.
I say whatever comes over the TV is fair game for a TV critic.

I’ve also interviewed just about every top TV anchor from Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric to Dan Rather and even Shep Smith over at Fox News. I did a solid profile of him a couple of years ago. I also did a story on the success of Fox & Friends awhile back.

The most disturbing thing about the majority of the e-mails was the idea that the answer to their perceived “liberal bias” of news is a conservative bias. It seems to me that it would be best if the media attempted to have no bias at all in reporting.

And I will stand my call that during the past few months, if you had watched Fox News for any 24-hour period, you would have seen a steady stream of negative Obama stories and commentary, some of it justified, and some of it presented in a way that suggested Fox was pandering to an audience that is looking for a demon.

Here’s some more of the comments from the e-mails:

Walt,
Once again you’ve proven what a complete and total moron you are. You actually thought it was worth a column to say that Fox News doesn’t have their lips wrapped around Obama the way MSNBC, CNN and the three networks do? Have you heard the lunatic ravings of Keith Olbermann? That curmudgeon that CNN has on with Wolf Blitzer? I don’t remember an article from you after Chris Matthews said Obama made him tingle. Or about Linda Douglas jumping from reporter to Obama spokeswoman, and delcaring “It was no secret to the reporters around me that I have Democratic-leaning views. But they said I was always fair.” I’m sure she was.
The liberal bias of the mainstream media has been exposed over and over by many insiders. It’s no secret the majority of the media leans left/democrat. Yet you still think it’s worth column space to whine about Fox.
Like many others have posted, when the cuts come at the Trib, we can only hope you’re part of it.

Kenny
Tampa

Re your 7/2 article opinions on Fox News.  I usually don’t read your article because it is so meaningless.  But I noticed your heading this a.m. and had to read it.  You really should watch more Fox news before you make such stupid remarks about it ‘s broadcasting.  It is about the only channel out there today presenting the conservative slant on the news.  Thank God we have them.  I don’t agree with what they report l00% but it’s a whole lot better than what I hear on some of the other networks.  It is the most “fair and balanced”.

Inez Barrett

Your article on Fox News’ alleged lack of fairness and balance in the presidential campaign is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.  In its seemingly headlong rush to out flank the notorious St. Pete Times on the left, the Tribune is engaging in a continual campaign to discredit McCain and puff up Obama.

The same issue where your “fairness” column appears has a front page article on a McCain advisor’s supposedly “unsavory clients”, that turn out to be a couple of “dictators” who were US allies and have been out of office for over 30 years.  This “news article” by reporter William March, who is right out of the Times far-left mold, is paired with a total puff piece on an Obama “faith-based” program, that would allow religious organizations to give out charity but forbid them from mentioning their beliefs ("faith-less" based would be a better title).  This article is part of a series by March, all critical of McCain and adoring of Obama.

The media’s total bias toward Obama is well documented.  If the Tribune really wants to correct their current circulation and revenue freefall, maybe the editorial managment should look at restoring some of the paper’s former fairness and balance.  The current management’s lurch to the left does not appear to be paying many dividends.

At least Fox News’s opinion programs are clearly labelled as such, and not opinion masquerading as news as so often appears lately in the Tribune.  Even though I live in Pinellas County, I switched to the Tribune a few years back as it appeared to offer at least a somewhat balanced approach.  That has eroded in recent months to such an extent that, when my current subscription runs out, I will likely cancel and do without a daily paper.  I won’t be missing much.

R. W. Ayers
Belleair Beach

MSNBC and NBC is totally in the tank for Obama. Keith Olbermann is a rabid Bush hater. Why don’t you write about this. All over the country newspapers are laying off people and cutting circulation areas. I cancelled my subscription to your paper a couple of years ago because of articles like yours.

Charles Roberts
Clearwater

Dear Walt,

I have enjoyed reading your columns through the years and this is the first one I must take issue with!  Criticizing Fox for their news reporting is fair game as long as you give the other networks, cable and otherwise, the same treatment. You know as well as I do that none would come out smelling like a rose!

I have been watching NBC Nightly News for as long as I can remember, at least 35 years, and had to stop a month ago because I could no longer stand the unabashed bias of Brian Williams in favor of Obama.  Matt Lauer is the same way on the Today Show.

I know your hands are tied somewhat because NBC is the Tribune’s parent company, but I implore YOU to take a “fair and balanced” look at this huge problem and report it. If not, perhaps it would be better to stick to what you do best and keep us informed on a lighter note!

Thanks for your time,
Cathy

I read your column often and couldn’t help after reading your “insightful” article today to write you.

I watched Fox News Channel religiously until just over a year ago.  It’s so apparent they are not fair and balanced.  It’s almost sad that today adult individuals can express such prejudiced, sometimes hateful views on national TV.  More sad, is that there is an audience!

I did see the E.D. Hill “terrorist bump” segment, and she was my favorite.  I saw her “terrorist bump” on another news program, otherwise I would have missed that education.

I am black, and if you (in general) are not, you don’t know and can’t imagine what it is like living in the United States of America.  I am an American by birth and I love this country just as you (in general) do.........however, for “me” to be like “you”, to be accepted like you is a mere dream.  I consider myself one of the lucky ones because of where I was born and the way I was socialized.  But I’m often reminded, I live in the South!

Thanks for the article and maybe, just maybe, one of today’s readers will read it, get it and help them open their eyes!  Perhaps think twice before they allow their bias to come through so blatantly.

The only difference between “you” and “I” is the color of our skin...........We bleed, cry, pay the same high price for gas, lodging and food.  We’re all Americans and the sooner we realize it and understand that we’re in this together, the sooner we can begin the process of working together to get this economy and this country back on track.  That won’t happen in anyone’s first term!

Sincerely,
Valarie Faison