How blurry is the line between News and Commentary

This is a topic that has been bugging me for some time and it looks like the media is catching on. When commentary is aired ona news network I feel like there should be some distinction made. I will give an example, when Bill O'Reillly's show is on there is still a little graphic below him with the words "Fox News" emblazoned on the screen. I feel that having the word "news" gives his opinions an amount of credibility as facts. Same goes for Olbermann and Lou Dobbs. I am afraid that many people will not be able to draw the line between the opinions of these guys (and girls cant forget Nancy grace and all the rest) and the facts that make up the News.
A washington post article to inspire http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/27/AR2...
Thought?

Tags: and, commentary, news

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on May 28, 2008 at 6:13pm: So is Daniel Schorr news or commentary? I don't have cable, but I think the Fox News next to O'Reilly refers to the network not the activity.

I suspect the same thing happens on liberal CNN. I know it does on PBS.

Permalink Reply by Mike Cherlow on May 28, 2008 at 6:59pm: I think NPR makes it a clear point by calling Daniel Schorr their "senior Commentator" CNN has lou dobs and is just as guilty. Couldn't say about PBS, dont watch their news shows.

Permalink Reply by James Parish on May 29, 2008 at 4:09pm: Kurtz's article seems to me as just an extension of his Media Notes blog in that it was mostly fluff and is an extension of the war that fox and nbc are having now (olberman v oreilly, oreilly saying GE, NBC's parent company, supports Iran and terrorists).

That being said, I have been long of the opinion that cable news channels are the tabloids of the hard news industry. Everything must be infused with emotion, negative and positive, in order to get higher ratings. Each of their stories on facts usually have 2 minutes of "experts" with opposing comments on it. Is Paris or Britney ever even mentioned on NPR or WashPost? It seems cable news with it's minuscule ratings compared to the big networks are the only ones doing the most of this tabloidal sensationalism.

Vigilance on seeking and knowing the facts through multiple sources is the only way one can stay well informed. And knowing a little bit about marketing and psychology helps a lot in deciphering key words and word charge.

Permalink Reply by Mike Cherlow on May 30, 2008 at 6:20pm: I like your point that the cable chanels are like tabloids. They do over emphasize everytihg to grab people. A lot of places like commercial buildings and fast food joints have tv's in the waiting areas and such and seem to always be streaming either cnn or fox. I think people hear little snippets and may not know whether this is the fact part or the commentary part. I wish there was a better way to understand it. The the O'reilly thing is out of control though, he out right makes stuff up, says anything he wants and has no accountability. I have never heard anyone on Diane Rehm make something up and get away with it. I think Olbermann is doing a good job trying to hold "billo" to account, though he is prone to the same hyperbole

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